Heard Seeks to Throw out Verdict in Depp Defamation Trial

Heard Seeks to Throw out Verdict in Depp Defamation Trial
This combination of photos shows actor Johnny Depp (L) testifying at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., on April 21, 2022, and actress Amber Heard testifying in the same courtroom on May 26, 2022. AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:

RICHMOND, Va.—Amber Heard’s lawyers have asked a judge to throw out the $10.35 million verdict against her in the defamation case filed by ex-husband Johnny Depp, arguing that the verdict was not supported by the evidence and that one of the jurors may not have been properly vetted by the court.

In post-trial motions filed Friday, Heard’s attorneys call the jury’s June 1 award of $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages to Depp “excessive” and “indefensible.” They ask the judge to set aside the verdict and dismiss Depp’s lawsuit or order a new trial. Immediately after the verdict, the judge reduced the compensatory damages to $350,000 under a state cap.