Mr. Depp’s argument was that the case had nothing to do with the First Modification’s broad protections for speech. As a substitute, he insisted, it was in regards to the credibility of the accuser. “The First Modification doesn’t shield lies that damage and defame folks,” Mr. Depp’s lawyer told the jury because the trial got here to a detailed.
A number of attorneys mentioned they had been shocked by the result, particularly as a result of Mr. Depp misplaced an identical case in Britain, which has a lot decrease authorized requirements for public figures who sue for defamation. A key distinction, mentioned George Freeman, government director of the Media Regulation Useful resource Heart and a former lawyer for The New York Occasions, was {that a} decide determined the matter in Britain whereas a jury sided with Mr. Depp in the USA.
“A jury decides what a jury decides, and there’s typically no additional rationalization,” Mr. Freeman mentioned.
The result was all of the extra curious, Mr. Freeman added, as a result of the jury additionally sided with Ms. Heard on one depend during which she claimed that Mr. Depp’s lawyer had defamed her by blaming her for damaging the couple’s penthouse.
“When one facet is fake, then the opposite is true,” Mr. Freeman mentioned. “It appears sort of inconsistent to present awards to each.”
Johnny Depp’s Libel Case Towards Amber Heard
Within the courtroom. A defamation trial involving the previously married actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard simply concluded in Fairfax County Circuit Courtroom in Virginia. Here’s what to know in regards to the case:
One implication of the cut up jury resolution is that the legislation, due to its complexities, might not do what folks anticipate it to do: be an arbiter for the sorts of he mentioned/she mentioned disputes that come up from allegations like sexual assault.
In different related defamation instances, the writer has additionally been a part of the lawsuit. First Modification specialists who’re involved about the usage of defamation fits in an more and more polarized local weather — particularly in opposition to information organizations — mentioned the truth that The Submit was not named as a celebration in Mr. Depp’s case most likely made his victory simpler.
Had The Submit been sued, the trial would most likely have been extra targeted on the methods defamation legal guidelines could be abused, mentioned RonNell Andersen Jones, a legislation professor on the College of Utah.
