Inside of the courtroom: Johnny Depp v. Amber Listened to bombshell verdict

Jenny Goldsberry

June 01, 05:43 PM June 01, 05:43 PM

A jury identified Wednesday that Amber Heard defamed her ex-husband and that one particular statement from Johnny Depp's previous attorney Adam Waldman was defamatory toward the actress.

This verdict, which also awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages and awarded Listened to $2 million in compensatory damages, came immediately after the jury deliberated for around 12 several hours.

As a consequence of the timing, there ended up plenty of seats in the gallery even now out there. Throughout the trial, however, all 100 seats ended up provided away in just the to start with 10 minutes of court going into session at 10:00 a.m. each individual working day. There was also an overflow wherever spectators could observe remotely.

VERDICT IS IN: AMBER Listened to Uncovered Responsible OF DEFAMATION

Digital units remained banned from the courtroom, and bailiffs patrolled the space to silence these speaking in the gallery. Choose Penney Azcarate likewise requested the gallery for silence, warning she would "not tolerate any outbursts in anyway."

When the jury 1st arrived to give their verdict, Azcarate seen they experienced left the damages blank in their decision. They had been subsequently despatched back again to deliberate on damages, which took them about 15 minutes.

Immediately after the verdict was browse, Heard's law firm Elaine Bredehoft requested to have the jury polled. Every specific juror responded verbally whether or not or not they agreed with the verdict. Jurors unanimously agreed with the verdict.

At this point, Depp's law firm Camille Vasquez turned around and mouthed the word "wow" to her colleagues.

As soon as Azcarate dismissed everybody, Depp's legal professionals hugged every single other, but the actor himself was in the United Kingdom during the verdict's reading.

Heard briefly hugged her legal professionals Elaine Bredehoft and Benjamin Rottenborn in advance of she rushed out of the courtroom. Her sister Whitney Heard Henriquez was in the entrance row of the gallery and followed immediately after her inspite of not acquiring a hug.

Outside the courthouse, Fairfax County sheriff's deputies experienced roped off a walkway from the building's doorways. Spectators have been permitted to gather alongside the ropes, but associates of the media were being directed across the avenue.

Deputies typically had to inquire the media to stop crossing the street to talk to admirers ready to listen to from Depp's legal professionals Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez. The two have been fulfilled with applause and cheers, with quite a few in the crowd figuring out them by title. Enthusiasts wore "mad hatter" hats and pirate costumes in aid of Depp.

"We are grateful, so grateful, to the jury and their very careful deliberation," Vasquez said throughout the press meeting that immediately adopted.

"We were being honored, actually honored, to assist Mr. Depp in making certain that his circumstance was reasonably thought of through the demo," Chew reported. "We are also most happy that the trial has resonated for so lots of persons in the community that value truth of the matter and justice."

Chew and Vasquez then headed to their cars parked close by and remaining with a police escort.

Heard's lawyers did not maintain a press convention pursuing the verdict.