Depp v. Heard — Trial Archive
Depp v. Heard Trial Day
◀ Day 25 Depp v. Heard

Day 26 · Verdict

Judge Penney Azcarate · Depp v. Heard · 1 proceeding · 77 utterances

Day 26 of 27

The jury delivers a unanimous verdict finding Depp proved defamation on all three challenged op-ed statements, awarding $10M compensatory; Heard wins one counterclaim for $2M; judge immediately caps Depp's punitive award at $350K.

tense defamationproceduralop-edreputationfinancial-damagespublic-perception
Full day summary

The jury returns a unanimous verdict on Day 26, finding that Amber Heard defamed Johnny Depp on all three challenged statements in her 2018 Washington Post op-ed, with actual malice established on each claim. Before the verdict is read, Judge Azcarate admonishes the gallery against outbursts; the jury is also briefly returned to correct an incomplete damages form. The jury awards Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, while Heard prevails on one of her three counterclaims—over Adam Waldman's "hoax" characterization—receiving $2 million in compensatory damages. All seven jurors are polled and unanimity is confirmed. Judge Azcarate immediately applies Virginia's statutory punitive damages cap, reducing Depp's punitive award from $5 million to $350,000, and schedules June 24 for formal entry of the order.

Key Moments
Notable Quotes
Penney Azcarate
“Regardless of the verdict, I will not tolerate any outburst, whatsoever, okay?”
Judge's pre-verdict admonishment to the gallery, marking the charged atmosphere as the jury prepares to deliver its decision.
Court Clerk
“As against Amber Heard: We, the jury, award compensatory damages in the amount of $10 million.”
The operative damages verdict on Depp's defamation claims, the central outcome of the six-week trial.
Penney Azcarate
“As against John C. Depp, II: We, the jury, award compensatory damages in the amount of $2 million.”
The damages verdict on Heard's one successful counterclaim, establishing mutual liability between the parties.
Penney Azcarate
“I will amend the punitive damages award to the statutory cap of $350,000 on Mr. Depp's award, okay?”
Judge immediately applies Virginia's statutory punitive cap, reducing the jury's $5M punitive award to $350K and setting the operative judgment figure.
Video thumbnail for Jury Verdict: Depp Prevails, Heard Wins Counterclaim 9h 0m
Watch this day Jury Verdict: Depp Prevails, Heard Wins Counterclaim Play from the start →

Verdict

Verdict read-back and jury polling: Depp prevails on all three defamation claims; Heard prevails on one of three counterclaims.

→
colloquy
Verdict
77 utt.

The jury delivers a unanimous verdict finding Depp proved defamation on all three challenged op-ed statements, awarding $10M compensatory and $5M punitive. Heard prevails on one of three counterclaims over Waldman's "hoax" statement, receiving $2M compensatory. The judge briefly sends the jury back to complete an incomplete damages form, then polls all seven jurors and confirms unanimity. Judge Azcarate immediately reduces Depp's punitive award to the $350K Virginia statutory cap.

◀ Day 25 Depp v. Heard