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#TruthWins is trending. On Wednesday, Johnny Depp won his defamation case against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, as the whole world closely watched jurors announce their verdict. A crowd of Depp supporters gathered outside of the courthouse and went up in cheers, chanting: "Johnny, Johnny." While the seven-member civil jury in Virginia found both Heard and Depp defamed each other, she was guilty of slandering him on more accounts.

Jurors decided the 58-year-old actor is entitled to $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages after finding that Heard libeled him when she wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post in 2018, implying being a victim of domestic abuse. But the judge explained state law limits punitive damages to $350,000, meaning the actual amount he was awarded is $10.35 million. The jurors also ordered Depp to pay $2 million for his former wife’s partial success in her countersuit about being defamed by one of Depp’s attorneys who called her abuse allegations a hoax.

The trial has been one rollercoaster of a ride, from people expressing their support, sharing what they think of the proceedings, and responding to the testimonies heard in the case. But right now, in the eyes of social media users, it was a clear courtroom win for Depp. The internet is overflowing with reactions to his victory, so we at Bored Panda compiled a list of some of the best memes and tweets fans have shared online. So continue scrolling, hit upvote on the ones you agree with, and be sure to share your own takes with us in the comments!

After a six-week widely watched trial, the jury ruled in Johnny Depp's favor in his defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard

Image credits: SophieLents

Depp found the verdict to be a relief, as he shared a statement on Instagram saying, "The jury gave me my life back"

Image credits: johnnydepp

Heard released a statement as well, explaining that the disappointment she was feeling "is beyond words" and calling the verdict a "setback" for women

Image credits: realamberheard

You can hear the jury's verdict in full right here

The internet is buzzing with reactions to Depp’s victory, here’s what people had to say

During the six-week trial, jurors were presented with a mixed bag of evidence, including video and audio recordings, text messages, and emails of incidents from the couple's stormy life together. The case was also scrutinized on social media, making Depp's fans go above and beyond to offer support and even bring alpacas outside the court to "brighten his day". Although the dramatic testimonies and conflicting reports made it an arduous trial to call, the jury determined that Heard defamed Depp with actual malice in her op-ed titled "I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change."

#3

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Jill Pulcifer
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed, I have an ex who behaved alot like Amber said Johnny did. All I feel today is joy that a victim was heard and believed. Dosent matter that he is a man. All I see is a victim actively taking his life back from his abuser, and it's a beautiful thing.

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While Depp wasn't present in the courtroom on Wednesday due to a previously scheduled work commitment, Heard was. As the judge read the verdict saying that she had lost the majority of her countersuit, she remained stone-faced, eyes focused on the ground. Following the jury's decision, Heard took to Twitter to say that her disappointment "is beyond words" and express her sadness about losing "a right I thought I had as an American — to speak freely and openly".

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Shortly after winning the defamation lawsuit, Depp also stated on Instagram that his main goal was to clear his name. He was relieved to hear the decision and thanked the jury for giving him his life back, adding that he was "truly humbled". Within just a few hours, over 10 million people liked his post on the platform. His lawyers also gave a brief statement outside the court right after the verdict. They said Heard's claims were "defamatory and not supported by any evidence" and they were "so grateful to the jury for their careful deliberations". They added they were "truly honored" to work with the actor on the case, saying it was "now time to turn the page and look to the future".

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DennyS (denzoren)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He did and you didn't think we'd believe him did you....well how do you like it now? Huh?

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If you haven’t been able to keep up with the case, Depp sued Heard for $50 million, saying she defamed him by accusing him of domestic abuse. Heard also filed a countersuit against Depp, seeking $100 million in damages and blaming his legal team for falsely implying she was faking her claims.

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But let's take a few steps back, shall we? The actors met on the set of The Rum Diary in 2009 and were married in Los Angeles in 2015. Unfortunately, they called it quits just 15 months after. Heard filed for divorce and obtained a temporary restraining order against her spouse amid allegations that he had assaulted her under the influence. "​​Given the brevity of this marriage and the most recent and tragic loss of his mother, Johnny will not respond to any of the salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life," a rep for the actor told PEOPLE at the time. "Hopefully the dissolution of this short marriage will be resolved quickly." Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.

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PCW10101
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was always about truth - not retribution or punitive damages. I don't imagine Ms Heard will pay up, and I am even more certain that Mr Depp wont care. His reputation has been resurrected. Frankly, that he was ever a star in the Disney stable is amazing to me. He has always seemed a beautifully, deliciously wild spirit to me, and not particularly family-friendly, but oh so entertaining. I hope his career can get back on track and we look forward to many more years of his wonderful, insightful and delightfully quirky work.

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In 2016, the duo reached a $7 million settlement with Heard pledging to donate the money to charity. The former couple released a joint statement saying their relationship was "intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm."

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Two years later, Depp sued UK tabloid The Sun over an article calling him a "wife beater". In that case, Judge Justice Nicol explained that the paper had proved the article to be "substantially true". Depp ultimately lost the lawsuit since the judge found that 12 of the 14 alleged incidents of domestic violence testified by Heard had occurred. Depp's lawyer called the ruling "perverse" and said the actor plans to appeal.

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Vorknkx
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First there was the boy who cried "wolf" - now we have the heartless woman who cried "abuse"... and the story ends the same way.

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troufaki13
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What really amuses me is that she thought she had all the women on her side. But the women chose to side with the truth

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Vicky Z
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A person that has been abused can easily tell who was the abuser by watching the trial

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When it comes to Heard’s 2018 publication in The Washington Post where she recounted enduring physical, psychological, verbal, and sexual domestic abuse, Depp was not specifically named in the piece. However, he argued it was an example of "defamation by implication" because some parts referred to allegations of abuse she made against him following their break-up in 2016. Moreover, Depp stated his professional reputation was damaged nonetheless because he lost a few big-budget film roles.

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DennyS (denzoren)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly! I've always liked his movies but the evidence was there. His side was clear and coherent while hers was just a mess.

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From April 11 to May 27, the jury heard both Depp and Heard testify twice, each throwing accusations at one another and denying the allegations against them. The jurors also heard from famous witnesses like Kate Moss and Ellen Barkin, friends, family members, medics, therapists, and staff who worked or continue to work with the former couple.

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Tammilee Truitt
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again...did she even know she was being recorded? Such a narc. Don't think he would have considered recording on his own. Thank goodness he has people who have his back and he is loved and cared for. Narcs hate that s***.

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In 1964, the Supreme Court ruled that defamation suits brought by notable figures must prove the claims were false and caused damage and confirm that the person who made the defamatory statement did so with "actual malice." To show that Heard acted with malicious intent, the actor had to provide evidence he never assaulted his ex-wife, which in turn would prove that her op-ed piece aimed to defame him. Also, to claim damages, he had to explain how her article caused harm to his reputation. Being a three-time best actor Oscar nominee, Depp had been a profitable star until recent years. His role as Jack Sparrow helped turn the Pirates of the Caribbean into a global franchise, but he lost that role. He was also replaced in the ongoing Fantastic Beasts series with Mads Mikkelsen in the latest film, The Secrets of Dumbledore.

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Tammilee Truitt
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course the top left guy. I want to know him! She hurt him as much as she hurt Mr. Depp.

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The case glued masses of people to their screens because of its captivating television coverage. Millions of passionate followers were dissecting everything from the actors' behaviors and words to the potential meanings of their clothes. While both performers emerge from the trial feeling damage to both their reputations and their careers, Depp can finally relax knowing the jury ruled in his favor and appreciate the overflowing support shared by his fans online.

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SoloDadof3
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But false allegations also should be followed by perjury charges! I am willing to bet they won't as is the case most of the time!

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Cold Contagious
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope this victory thrusts forward the positive impact, immediately and with a resounding boom towards his career and radiates like soundwaves into the universe! He deserves a good karma explōsion.

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PCW10101
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He did, and I am so happy he did and set the record straight. But imagine all the male victims of DV who don't have the resources. We need to care and assist them as well. Too many good men and great fathers are being kept from being a great example and a loving parent to their children.

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Lorraine Woollands
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Has Captain Jack Sparrow would say" Not all treasure is silver and gold mate."

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EyeYamStewPeed
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't it weird, though, how the masses on social media are claiming "it's not a blow for women" while experts from *reliable sources* like NPR, the New Yorker, and the New York Times recognize the effect this will have on people. "It just adds another barrier to what victims and survivors have to deal with, as they're determining how to get the support and safety they need," said Ruth Glenn, president and CEO of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence." ". Experts were warning that anti-feminist groups were using the trial to mobilize and that defamation lawsuits were being used to silence survivors of domestic violence. Now that a jury has sided with Depp, advocates say the verdict could have a chilling effect on other survivors looking to speak out against their abusers." https://www.npr.org/2022/06/02/1102621479/the-depp-verdict-could-bring-a-chilling-effect-for-domestic-abuse-survivors

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Monday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now my question is....does she just pay 13 million or does she have to pay 15 and then he gives 2 back?

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troufaki13
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She caused more damage to herself than the damage she tried to do on Johnny

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