We’ve just learned that the Judge presiding over the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial just gave a resounding “No” to Amber Heard’s motion of dismissal.
Yes, more antics from Amber Heard and her lawyers!
Heard’s legal team tried to get Judge Penney Azcarate to dismiss Depp’s defamation suit, however it seems the judge decided there was enough evidence on Depp’s side to keep the case going. On Tuesday morning, without a jury present, Heard’s and Depp’s lawyers presented their arguments.
Heard’s lawyers tried to get a strike, for appeal rights for the defense.
Depp sued ex-wife Amber Heard for a 2018 Washington Post editorial by Heard about how she survived Sexual Violence, and became a public figure for domestic abuse.
Depp was not not named in the article, however, his attorneys said that there is enough of a connection between Depp and Heard’s 2018 editorial that he physically assaulted her.
Judge Says “No” To Amber Heard’s Dismissal Motion
Read more: Johnny Depp Can’t Stop Laughing At Amber Heard’s Lawyers
Judge Azcarate responded “if there is a scintilla of evidence that a reasonable juror could weigh, then the matter survives a motion to strike.”
Azcarate said there was:
…evidence that jurors could weigh that the statements were about the plaintiff, that the statements were published and that the statement was false, and that the defendant made the statement knowing it to be false or that the defendant made it so recklessly as to amount to willful disregard for the truth. The weight of that evidence is up to the fact finders.
Judge Azcarate said that she will not yet rule on whether a defamation claim would survive regarding one of Heard’s tweets.
Michael Spindler, an economic damages expert, testified that Depp “suffered lost earnings of approximately $40 million” after the 2016 editorial that Heard did, resulting in Depp losing $20.3 million, after losing his role as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6.
And losing $20.1 million from booking non-franchise films. Spindler also confirmed that he was not testifying to the loss of income being the direct recourse of Heard’s editorial.
Personally, I think its a good thing that Judge Azarate didn’t dismiss the case as this has really damaged Johnny Depp’s career, not to mention the mental and physical damage it probably had on him.
What do you make of this news? Is it a good move on the judge’s part?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
What do you make of this story? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages! And if you enjoy listening to film podcasts, why not check out our podcasts, Small Screen Stories and Small Screen Film Club wherever you get your podcasts!
She is an abuser. And she must pay a price. No different to a man. She is wealthy. Now pay up