Johnny Depp’s lawyers Ben Chew and Camille Vasquez, who represented him in the recent defamation trial against his wife Amber Heard, have been making the media rounds following their victory and they’re making it clear that the evidence sealed Amber Heard’s fate and that the jury was not swayed by the reactions on social media.
During a joint appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s The Today Show to discuss the case, they were asked various questions about what resulted in both Depp and Heard being compensatory damages, albeit with Depp receiving much more at $10 million (plus $5 million in punitive damages) versus her $2 million. During their time on Good Morning America, George Stephanopoulos asked them if social media swayed the jury in any way. Here is what Chew had to say:
“Social media played no role whatsoever. This was a decision made by the jury on the evidence presented by both sides, and as Camille said [earlier in the interview], it was overwhelming.”
Savannah Guthrie on The Today Show asked a similar question about the social media influence and Chew doubled down on his stance by saying, “No, I don’t think there’s any reason to believe that the jurors violated their oath. And again, that suggestion was to hear [from Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft].” Vasquez then added, “It is everywhere, but at the same time, they were admonished every single night. They had a tremendous amount of respect for the court and the process, and they were doing the best they could.”
Stephanopoulos also asked the pair about the criticism that the verdict will have on the #MeToo movement as victims’ advocate groups say the result was a blow to domestic violence victims. Vasquez shot down that idea by saying, “I think our response to that we encourage any victim to come forward. Domestic violence doesn’t have a gender. We do not [think it has any negative impact to the #MeToo movement]. We believe that the verdict speaks for itself, the facts are what they are, the jury made a unanimous decision based on those facts.”
What does Amber Heard think about Depp’s lawyers making the rounds speaking on their victory? As you guessed, not too highly of the notion. A spokesperson for Heard told Variety, “It is as unseemly as it is unprofessional that Johnny Depp’s legal team has chosen to do a victory lap for setting back decades of how women can be treated in the courtroom. What’s next? A movie deal and merchandising?”
Why do I get the feeling that this will all never be completely over? We might get a momentary break but all eyes are on Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s next move. How far will she go with her appeal? Will Johnny Depp be the megastar he once was? Will Amber Heard ever really work again? It’s a neverending soap opera and they have their audience captivated.
Do YOU think the jury was swayed in any way by the social media reaction to the case?