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Amber Heard calls verdict a 'setback for women', furious Internet says 'you set women back'

Amber Heard said, 'I'm sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seemed to have lost a right I thought I had as an American — to speak freely and openly'

A jury on Wednesday, June 1, ruled in favor of Johnny Depp in his lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard. Following the verdict, Heard posted a statement on social media, claiming she is disappointed and 'heartbroken'. She also said that the verdict is a 'setback' for women. 

The two actors were squaring off over a 2018 op-ed Heard wrote for the Washington Post, where she called herself a domestic violence survivor. Depp has claimed that he was booted from the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise because Heard's op-ed clearly implicated that he was the abuser. The article, however, did not mention Depp by name. The actor sued for $50 million and Heard countersued for $100 million, claiming Depp ran a smear campaign for years in an attempt to silence her and destroy her acting career. 

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Ater deliberating over three days, the jury has now ruled in the unanimous decision that Heard defamed Depp when she called herself a victim of domestic abuse. She has been ordered to pay $15 million in damages, including $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The jury also awarded Heard compensatory damages of $2 million because she was defamed when Depp's lawyer Adam Waldman called her abuse allegations a hoax.

"The disappointment I feel today is beyond words," Heard wrote in her statement. "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,” she continued. "It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke up could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women should be taken seriously."

Heard added, "I believe Johnny's attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the U.K. I'm sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seemed to have lost a right I thought I had as an American — to speak freely and openly." 

'YOU, Amber, are a DISGRACE to ALL women!'

Heard's statement saying that the verdict is a 'setback' for women is being slammed on social media, with Team Johnny claiming she is the one who set women back. "Ummmm NO @realamberheard YOU set women and domestic violence survivors back!!! Your lies and spectacle of dishonesty is disrespectful and a slap in the face to women who REALLY experienced sexual & domestic violence. YOU, Amber, are a DISGRACE to ALL women!" one user wrote. "No, Amber Heard, this is not a set back for abused women or freedom of speech. It is a huge step forward for all humans who are victims of domestic violence and lies. WE saw you, WE heard you, WE watched you and WE saw our narcissists in YOU," one user wrote, while another said, "Amber Heard saying the verdict is gonna set back women, no it’s you. Your lies are gonna set us back nothing else. F*** you."

"no the only flaw in your case was you lying and being caught lying under oath @realamberheard you lost because you are a gaslighting , destructive & narcissistic human being . This doesn’t set back anything for women this brings to light me can be victims of abuse also," one user commented, while another said, "If there’s anyone who set women back it’s Amber heard herself this one individual made it harder for female victims to be believed again. Not Johnny Depp not the jurors not the justice system not our society. It was her as an individual." One user wrote, "Well dear Amber Laura Heard, did anyone tell you that you actually set those women back the moment you wanted to be representative of a lie. Please do not do it again in the future."