The 'Aquaman' actress previously asked for a mistrial 'based on newly discovered facts and information' that one of the jurors present for the case was not the one summoned for jury duty.
- July 14, 2022
AceShowbiz - Amber Heard failed to drag Johnny Depp back to court. It was unveiled that a Virginia judge has denied the "Aquaman" star' request for a mistrial in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor's defamation case against her.
For the record, Depp sued Heard for $50 million for defamation following the publication of the Washington Post article, in which she alleged abuse but had not named him specifically. The jury found the 36-year-old actress had acted with "malice" and awarded Depp $15 million in damages. Heard had countersued her ex for $100 million.
Unsatisfied with the outcome, Heard's lawyers made a filing in the Circuit Court of Fairfax County. They claimed she is entitled to a mistrial "based on newly discovered facts and information" that one of the jurors present for the case was not the one summoned for jury duty.
Judge Penney Azcarate, however, refused to toss the verdict. "Defendant does not allege Juror Fifteen's inclusion on the jury prejudiced her in any way," the judge said on Wednesday, July 13. "The juror was vetted, sat for the entire jury, deliberated and reached a verdict."
"The only evidence before this Court is that this juror and all jurors followed their oaths, the Court’s instructions and orders. The only evidence before this Court is that this juror and all jurors followed their oaths, the Court's instructions, and orders," the judge continued. "This court is bound by the competent decision of the jury."
As for Depp's attorneys, they already filed a response memo against Heard's post-trial motions ahead of the judge's decision. "While Ms. Heard slings an exceptional amount of mud at the wall in the hope that something might stick, the jury's verdict on damages was perfectly reasonable and supported by the evidence and testimony in this case," his memo stated.
