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Amber Heard fans brand jury 'SEXIST' for ruling in favor of Johnny Depp in 'trial of the century'

Heard, 36, said she was 'heartbroken' after the seven-member jury found she had defamed Depp, 58, by claiming to be a domestic abuse victim

Amber Heard fans expressed outrage following the verdict in her defamation case with Johnny Depp, with some accusing the jury of being "sexist" in their ruling. The defamation court case has been referred to as 'the trial of the century' after it grabbed media and popular attention as a cultural flashpoint, melding celebrity gossip, intimate partner violence, courtroom drama, public spectacle and the gender war around the recent #MeToo movement.

Heard, 36, said she was "heartbroken" after the seven-member jury found her claims of being abused by Depp, 58, largely untrue. The 'Aquaman' star was ordered by the court to pay her ex-husband $15 million in damages. And while the jury also partially vindicated Heard by awarding her $2 million, the verdict was overwhelmingly in Depp's favor. 

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Heard's fans, whose voices were largely drowned out by Depp supporters during the trial, expressed shock at the jury's decision after the six-week courtroom battle in Virginia. "My heart goes out to Amber. Fuck that sexist jury and fuck this sexist country!" one fan tweeted. "I started out hating #AmberHeard but this trial has changed my mind so much. #JohnnyDepp is a trash abuser. And this jury is a racist, sexist fan group and nothing more. I have no hope for women - ever," another wrote.

Others rushed to Heard's Twitter account and offered their unwavering support to the embattled actress. "My darling girl, you did everything you could. You did everything RIGHT. I am so proud of you and we will never stop fighting. We are always with you," a fan gushed. "I believe you, Amber! Thank you for being strong, using your voice, being a warrior, and advocating for injustices against women everywhere! I will continue to stand with you, through and through," another chimed in.

Following the verdict on Wednesday, June 1, Depp's lawyers said the decision confirmed "what we have said from the beginning," primarily that the abuse allegations against their client were baseless and defamatory. Star attorney Camille Vasquez lauded the jurors while speaking outside the court in Fairfax, Virginia after they ruled overwhelmingly in the 58-year-old actor's favor as they decided that his ex-wife had defamed him with her 2018 Washington Post op-ed. The jury awarded the plaintiff $15 million in damages and the defendant $2 million for one part of her counter-claim. "Today's verdict confirms what we have said from the beginning – that the claims against Johnny Depp are defamatory and unsupported by any evidence," Vasquez said. "We are grateful, so grateful to the jury for their careful deliberation."

Depp was not in court for the verdict as he traveled to England to perform with his longtime pal Jeff Beck. Meanwhile, Heard tried to maintain her composure at the hearing. She issued a statement immediately after the verdict was announced, saying she was "heartbroken" and that the decision was a "setback" for free speech and for women. "The disappointment I feel today is beyond words," she said. "I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband. I'm even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously." She added. "I'm sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American – to speak freely and openly."

On the other hand, Depp thanked the jury for giving "me my life back." He said in a statement, "Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people, who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed. All in the blink of an eye." The 'Donnie Brasco' star said he was faced with an "endless barrage of hateful content."

He continued, "From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that." The star added that he hopes his "quest" for the "truth" has helped others who may have found themselves in his "situation" to never give up.