<p>A US jury Wednesday found both Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard liable for defamation -- but sided more strongly with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star following an intense trial riding on bitterly contested allegations of domestic abuse.</p>.<p>The verdict capped a bitterly-fought six-week trial riding on lurid claims and counterclaims of between the Hollywood celebrities.</p>.<p>The seven-member jury in Virginia awarded the 58-year-old actor $15 million in damages after finding that a 2018 article penned by Heard on her experience of "sexual violence" was defamatory to Depp.</p>.<p>Heard, her eyes downcast throughout, listened impassively as the verdict was read out in Fairfax court, near the US capital -- and later declared herself "heartbroken" and disappointed "beyond words" by the outcome.</p>.<p>Depp, who was following the proceedings from the United Kingdom, meanwhile posted on Instagram that the jury "gave me my life back."</p>.<p>In the op-ed for The Washington Post, Heard had described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse" -- and although she did not name Depp in the piece, he sued her for implying he was an abuser, seeking $50 million in damages.</p>.<p>The 36-year-old Heard, who had a starring role in "Aquaman," countersued for $100 million, saying she was defamed by statements made by Depp's lawyer, Adam Waldman, who told the Daily Mail her abuse claims were a "hoax."</p>.<p>The jury agreed that Heard was defamed by those statements, and also awarded her damages -- but at a significantly lower amount, $2 million.</p>.<p>Reacting to the verdict, Heard called it a "setback" for women.</p>.<p>"The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband," she said in a statement.</p>.<p>"I'm even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback... It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously," she said.</p>.<p>A few dozen onlookers and Depp supporters were posted outside for the verdict, one man sporting a "Jack Sparrow" pirate hat and a woman with a placard reading: "No matter what happens today, Johnny, you are a winner!!! And the whole word knows the TRUTH!!!"</p>.<p>Dozens of witnesses testified during the trial, including bodyguards, Hollywood executives, agents, entertainment industry experts, doctors, friends and relatives.</p>.<p>Depp and Heard each spent days on the witness stand during the televised trial, which was attended by hundreds of fans of the "Pirates" star and accompanied by a #JusticeForJohnnyDepp campaign on social media.</p>.<p>Video and audio recordings of heated, profanity-laced arguments between the couple were played for the jury, which was also shown photographs of injuries allegedly suffered by Heard during their volatile relationship.</p>.<p>Depp testified that it was Heard who was frequently violent and said it has been "brutal" to listen to "outlandish" accusations of domestic abuse made against him.</p>.<p>Heard, who was married to Depp from 2015 to 2017, obtained a restraining order against him in May 2016, citing domestic violence.</p>.<p>Depp, a three-time Oscar nominee, filed a libel suit in London against the British tabloid The Sun for calling him a "wife-beater." He lost that case in November 2020.</p>.<p>Both sides have claimed damage to their Hollywood careers.</p>
<p>A US jury Wednesday found both Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard liable for defamation -- but sided more strongly with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star following an intense trial riding on bitterly contested allegations of domestic abuse.</p>.<p>The verdict capped a bitterly-fought six-week trial riding on lurid claims and counterclaims of between the Hollywood celebrities.</p>.<p>The seven-member jury in Virginia awarded the 58-year-old actor $15 million in damages after finding that a 2018 article penned by Heard on her experience of "sexual violence" was defamatory to Depp.</p>.<p>Heard, her eyes downcast throughout, listened impassively as the verdict was read out in Fairfax court, near the US capital -- and later declared herself "heartbroken" and disappointed "beyond words" by the outcome.</p>.<p>Depp, who was following the proceedings from the United Kingdom, meanwhile posted on Instagram that the jury "gave me my life back."</p>.<p>In the op-ed for The Washington Post, Heard had described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse" -- and although she did not name Depp in the piece, he sued her for implying he was an abuser, seeking $50 million in damages.</p>.<p>The 36-year-old Heard, who had a starring role in "Aquaman," countersued for $100 million, saying she was defamed by statements made by Depp's lawyer, Adam Waldman, who told the Daily Mail her abuse claims were a "hoax."</p>.<p>The jury agreed that Heard was defamed by those statements, and also awarded her damages -- but at a significantly lower amount, $2 million.</p>.<p>Reacting to the verdict, Heard called it a "setback" for women.</p>.<p>"The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband," she said in a statement.</p>.<p>"I'm even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback... It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously," she said.</p>.<p>A few dozen onlookers and Depp supporters were posted outside for the verdict, one man sporting a "Jack Sparrow" pirate hat and a woman with a placard reading: "No matter what happens today, Johnny, you are a winner!!! And the whole word knows the TRUTH!!!"</p>.<p>Dozens of witnesses testified during the trial, including bodyguards, Hollywood executives, agents, entertainment industry experts, doctors, friends and relatives.</p>.<p>Depp and Heard each spent days on the witness stand during the televised trial, which was attended by hundreds of fans of the "Pirates" star and accompanied by a #JusticeForJohnnyDepp campaign on social media.</p>.<p>Video and audio recordings of heated, profanity-laced arguments between the couple were played for the jury, which was also shown photographs of injuries allegedly suffered by Heard during their volatile relationship.</p>.<p>Depp testified that it was Heard who was frequently violent and said it has been "brutal" to listen to "outlandish" accusations of domestic abuse made against him.</p>.<p>Heard, who was married to Depp from 2015 to 2017, obtained a restraining order against him in May 2016, citing domestic violence.</p>.<p>Depp, a three-time Oscar nominee, filed a libel suit in London against the British tabloid The Sun for calling him a "wife-beater." He lost that case in November 2020.</p>.<p>Both sides have claimed damage to their Hollywood careers.</p>