Depp v. Heard

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The two actors met in 2009 while filming The Rum Diary; according to Heard, their relationship began "around the end of 2011 or early 2012". They were engaged in January 2014, and, in February 2015, they married on Depp's private island in The Bahamas, Little Hall's Pond Cay.{{Cite web |last=Sledge |first=Philip |date=April 11, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp And Amber Heard: A Timeline Of Their Professional And Personal Relationship |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2490888/johnny-depp-and-amber-heard-a-timeline-of-their-professional-and-personal-relationship |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418151155/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2490888/johnny-depp-and-amber-heard-a-timeline-of-their-professional-and-personal-relationship |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |access-date=April 18, 2022 |website=CinemaBlend}} Heard filed for divorce on May 23, 2016, and obtained a temporary restraining order against Depp.{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Libby |date=June 1, 2016 |title=New photos of Amber Heard show bruised eye and bloody lip |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-amber-heard-bruise-photos-20160601-snap-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315024551/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-amber-heard-bruise-photos-20160601-snap-story.html |archive-date=March 15, 2019 |access-date=August 20, 2016 |website=The Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite news |last=Massie |first=Graeme |date=April 20, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp says Amber Heard chose to file for restraining order on same day as Alice premiere and daughter's birthday |language=en |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/depp-heard-restraining-order-alice-b2062031.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525041919/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/depp-heard-restraining-order-alice-b2062031.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=May 2, 2022 |title=Heard's lawyers grill Depp witnesses about damages to his reputation |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/05/02/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-reputation/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505201536/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/05/02/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-reputation/ |archive-date=May 5, 2022}} She also requested $50,000 a month in spousal support, which was denied.{{cite web |last1=France |first1=Lisa Respers |title=Amber Heard documents $43K a month in expenses |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/31/entertainment/amber-heard-johnny-depp-expenses/index.html |website=CNN |publisher=Cable News Network |access-date=26 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604003246/https://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/31/entertainment/amber-heard-johnny-depp-expenses/index.html |archive-date=4 June 2016 |date=1 June 2016 |url-status=live}} In response, Depp alleged that she was "attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse". Heard testified about the alleged abuse in a deposition during their divorce litigation, alleging that Depp had been "verbally and physically abusive" throughout their relationship, usually while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |date=April 11, 2019 |title=Amber Heard Claims Johnny Depp Threatened to Kill Her During Years of Abuse |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/amber-heard-johnny-depp-abuse-threatened-kill-1203187472/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321205513/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/amber-heard-johnny-depp-abuse-threatened-kill-1203187472/ |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |access-date=April 19, 2019 |website=Variety}} The divorce received much publicity, with images of Heard's alleged injuries published by the media.{{Cite web |last1=Sarkisian |first1=Jacob |last2=Ntim |first2=Zac |date=May 5, 2022 |title=A complete timeline of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's tumultuous relationship |url=https://www.insider.com/johnny-depp-amber-heard-relationship-timeline-2020-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20220608054027/https://www.insider.com/johnny%2Ddepp%2Damber%2Dheard%2Drelationship%2Dtimeline%2D2020%2D7 |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2022 |website=Insider }}{{Failed verification|reason=This appears to be an example of coverage rather than support for the claim that there was "much" coverage.|date=March 2023}}

A settlement was reached in August 2016, and the divorce was finalized in January 2017.{{Cite news |last=Saad |first=Nardine |date=April 13, 2022 |title=What you need to know about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's latest defamation trial |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-04-13/what-you-need-to-know-about-johnny-depp-and-amber-heards-latest-defamation-trial |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220511130309/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-04-13/what-you-need-to-know-about-johnny-depp-and-amber-heards-latest-defamation-trial |archive-date=May 11, 2022}} Heard withdrew the restraining order, and she and Depp released a joint statement stating that their relationship was "intensely passionate and periodically 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."

Depp paid Heard a divorce settlement of $7 million, which she pledged to donate to the American Civil Liberties Union and the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Johnny Depp Making 'Desperate Attempt' To Malign Amber Heard, 'Aquaman' Star's Lawyer Says; Admits Promised $7M Charitable Donations 'Delayed' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/johnny-depp-abuse-lawsuit-amber-heard-charitable-donations-disputed-divorce-1234667028/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321205531/https://deadline.com/2021/01/johnny-depp-abuse-lawsuit-amber-heard-charitable-donations-disputed-divorce-1234667028/ |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Trepany |first=Charles |title=Judge sides with Johnny Depp: ACLU must reveal if Amber Heard donated $7M divorce settlement |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/07/30/johnny-depp-granted-request-aclu-confirm-amber-heard-donation/5438287001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418085317/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/07/30/johnny-depp-granted-request-aclu-confirm-amber-heard-donation/5438287001/ |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |access-date=April 17, 2022 |website=USA Today}} The settlement included a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) preventing either party from discussing their relationship publicly. As of April 2022, Heard had paid less than half of what she promised to the ACLU from her divorce settlement over five years prior.{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Chappell|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/04/29/1095571524/amber-heard-aclu-donation-johnny-depp-defamation-trial|title=The ACLU says Amber Heard has paid less than half of her $3.5 million donation pledge|work=NPR|date=April 29, 2022|access-date=April 4, 2023|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331162354/https://www.npr.org/2022/04/29/1095571524/amber-heard-aclu-donation-johnny-depp-defamation-trial|url-status=live}} Much of what she had paid to that point was thought by the ACLU to have actually come from Elon Musk and Depp himself instead of Heard.

{{Main|Depp v News Group Newspapers Ltd}}

In April 2018, UK tabloid The Sun published an article with an online title that described Depp as a "wife beater",{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Julia |date=May 2, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp Lost $22.5 Million 'Pirates' Role After Op-Ed, Manager Says |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/02/arts/johnny-depp-amber-heard.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220502233005/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/02/arts/johnny-depp-amber-heard.html |archive-date=May 2, 2022}} and, in June 2018, Depp sued News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun, and then executive editor Dan Wootton for libel. Both Depp and Heard testified in the July 2020 trial, which focused on evaluating 14 alleged incidents of abuse.{{Cite news |date=March 20, 2020 |title=Johnny Depp's libel case against the Sun adjourned |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/20/johnny-depps-libel-case-against-the-sun-in-high-court-adjourned |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108172524/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/20/johnny-depps-libel-case-against-the-sun-in-high-court-adjourned |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=March 22, 2021 |agency=PA Media|newspaper=The Guardian |last1=Media |first1=P. A. }}{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=April 11, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp's Second Defamation Trial Gets Underway in Virginia |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-virginia-trial-1235229579/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524205845/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-virginia-trial-1235229579/ |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |access-date=May 14, 2022 |website=Variety}} In November 2020, Judge Andrew Nicol ruled in favor of the publisher, finding that the great majority of Depp's alleged assaults had been proven to a civil standard{{Cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Caroline |last2=Bowcott |first2=Owen |date=November 2, 2020 |title=Johnny Depp trial: how the judge ruled on 14 alleged assaults |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/nov/02/johnny-depp-trial-how-the-judge-ruled-on-14-alleged-assaults |url-status=live |access-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321205551/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/nov/02/johnny-depp-trial-how-the-judge-ruled-on-14-alleged-assaults |archive-date=March 21, 2021}} and, therefore, the paper's characterization of Depp was "substantially true". The verdict found that Depp had assaulted Heard in 12 of the 14 alleged incidents and put her in fear of her life.{{Cite news |date=November 2, 2020 |title=Johnny Depp loses libel case over Sun 'wife beater' claim |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-54779430 |url-status=live |access-date=April 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505190012/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-54779430 |archive-date=May 5, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Julia |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard: What We Know |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/arts/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528211844/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/arts/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial.html |archive-date=May 28, 2022}} Judge Nicol rejected Depp's contention that Heard was a "gold-digger", saying in his ruling: "Her donation of the seven million US dollars to charity is hardly the act one would expect of a gold-digger."{{Cite news|first=Ben|last=Quinn |date=March 18, 2021 |title=Johnny Depp says 'lie' about charity donation influenced libel judge |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/mar/18/johnny-depp-lie-charity-donation-libel-ruling |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=August 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828074955/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/mar/18/johnny-depp-lie-charity-donation-libel-ruling |url-status=live }} Heard later claimed in the 2022 Virginia trial that she was scheduled to pay the entire pledged donation within 10 years and that she was behind her payment schedule because of Depp's suits against her.{{cite news|work=Business Insider|url=https://www.insider.com/amber-heard-stopped-aclu-donations-johnny-depp-lawsuit-2022-5|title=Amber Heard says she never completed her pledged $7 million charity donations because Johnny Depp filed a $50 million lawsuit against her|first1=Jacob|last1=Shamsian|first2=Azmi|last2=Haroun|date=May 16, 2022|access-date=March 30, 2023|archive-date=May 16, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220516235358/https://www.insider.com/amber-heard-stopped-aclu-donations-johnny-depp-lawsuit-2022-5|url-status=live}}

After the verdict, Depp resigned from the Fantastic Beasts film series at the request of Warner Bros., the film's production company.{{Cite magazine |last=Walsh |first=Savannah |date=May 3, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp's Big-Screen Return Is Coming |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/05/johnny-depps-big-screen-return-is-coming |url-status=live |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504071128/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/05/johnny-depps-big-screen-return-is-coming |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |access-date=May 11, 2022}} In March 2021, the Court of Appeal rejected Depp's request to appeal the verdict, concluding that the appeal had "no real prospect of success".{{Cite news |date=March 25, 2021 |title=Johnny Depp refused permission to appeal libel verdict |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56521759 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604150831/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56521759 |url-status=live }} Lawyers for Depp had argued that he had not received a fair hearing, that Heard was an unreliable witness and that recently discovered evidence contradicts Heard's assertion about her donation of the divorce settlement sum, arguing that the Judge in deciding the case, gave great weight to Heard's testimony that she donated all her $7 million divorce settlement to charity. But the appeals judges concluded he had a "full and fair" trial, and that "the judge based his conclusions on each of the incidents on his extremely detailed review of the evidence specific to each incident [...] in an approach of that kind there was little need or room for the judge to give weight to any general assessment of Ms. Heard's credibility."{{Cite news |last=Michallon |first=Clémence |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp and Amber Heard: A timeline of their relationship, allegations, and court battles |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/johnny-depp-amber-heard-girlfriend-dating-relationship-assault-b2078224.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515125558/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/johnny-depp-amber-heard-girlfriend-dating-relationship-assault-b2078224.html |archive-date=May 15, 2022}}

In December 2018, The Washington Post published an op-ed written by Heard and titled "Amber Heard: I spoke up against sexual violence—and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change."{{Cite news |last=Heard |first=Amber |date=December 18, 2018 |title=Amber Heard: I spoke up against sexual violence – and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ive-seen-how-institutions-protect-men-accused-of-abuse-heres-what-we-can-do/2018/12/18/71fd876a-02ed-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412184930/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ive-seen-how-institutions-protect-men-accused-of-abuse-heres-what-we-can-do/2018/12/18/71fd876a-02ed-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |author-link=Amber Heard}}{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=April 10, 2022 |title=What to know about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation trial |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/04/10/johnny-depp-amber-heard-case/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220410162533/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/04/10/johnny-depp-amber-heard-case/ |archive-date=April 10, 2022}} {{Anchor|Heard3statements}}In the article, Heard stated: "Then two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture's wrath for women who speak out. [...] I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse."{{Cite news |last=Barakat |first=Matthew |date=April 13, 2022 |title=Lawyer: Depp trial likely to become mudslinging soap opera |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-johnny-depp-amber-heard-virginia-arts-and-b6394fe9d8b6203ef6bbc3bb0f29531a |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421002502/https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-johnny-depp-amber-heard-virginia-arts-and-b6394fe9d8b6203ef6bbc3bb0f29531a |archive-date=April 21, 2022}} She further stated that, as a result of this, she had lost a film role and an advertising campaign for a global fashion brand. The op-ed called for Congress to re-authorize the Violence Against Women Act and did not explicitly mention Depp by name.{{Cite web |last=Griffith |first=Janelle |date=March 4, 2019 |title=Johnny Depp sues ex-wife Amber Heard for $50 million for allegedly defaming him |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/johnny-depp-sues-ex-wife-amber-heard-50-million-allegedly-n978976 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321205616/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/johnny-depp-sues-ex-wife-amber-heard-50-million-allegedly-n978976 |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |access-date=April 12, 2019 |website=NBC News |location=New York City}}

Matters from Heard's counterclaims pursued through the trial related to three statements made by Depp's lawyer, Adam Waldman, and published by the Daily Mail in April and June 2020.

{{Anchor|Waldman3Statements}}First, Waldman stated that "Amber Heard and her friends in the media used fake sexual violence allegations as both sword and shield, depending on their needs. They have selected some of her sexual violence hoax 'facts' as the sword, inflicting them on the public and Mr. Depp."{{Cite news |last=Hennessy |first=Joan |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Jurors mostly side with Depp in defamation case against Heard |work=Courthouse News |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/jurors-mostly-side-with-depp-in-defamation-case-against-heard/ |access-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607054036/https://www.courthousenews.com/jurors-mostly-side-with-depp-in-defamation-case-against-heard/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Rico |first=R. J. |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Explainer: Each count the Depp-Heard jurors considered |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/amber-heard-johnny-depp-entertainment-lawsuits-078f566e5a2486240bf776792b12e93d |access-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602080524/https://apnews.com/article/amber-heard-johnny-depp-entertainment-lawsuits-078f566e5a2486240bf776792b12e93d |url-status=live }}

{{Anchor|Waldman2ndStatement}}Waldman's second statement regarded a 2016 incident in Depp and Heard's Hollywood penthouse: "Quite simply this was an ambush, a hoax. They set Mr. Depp up by calling the cops but the first attempt didn't do the trick. The officers came to the penthouses, thoroughly searched and interviewed, and left after seeing no damage to face or property. So, Amber and her friends spilled a little wine and roughed the place up, got their stories straight under the direction of a lawyer and publicist, and then placed a second call to 911."

{{Anchor|Waldman3rdStatement}}Third, Waldman stated: "We have reached the beginning of the end of Ms. Heard's abuse hoax against Johnny Depp."

In February 2019, Depp sued Heard over her December 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post.{{Cite web |last=Nyren |first=Erin |date=March 2, 2019 |title=Johnny Depp Reportedly Sues Amber Heard for $50M Over Washington Post Op-Ed |url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-washington-post-op-ed-50-million-1203153857/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505190114/https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-washington-post-op-ed-50-million-1203153857/amp/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2019 |website=Variety |location=Los Angeles, California |quote='The op-ed depended on the central premise that Ms. Heard was a domestic abuse victim and that Mr. Depp perpetrated domestic violence against her,' Depp's lawyers allege. ... 'This frivolous action is just the latest of Johnny Depp's repeated efforts to silence Amber Heard,' said Heard's attorney.}} Depp claimed that Heard's allegations were part of an elaborate hoax against him and repeated his allegation that Heard had been the one who violently abused him. In August 2020, Heard countersued Depp over the three statements made by his attorney Adam Waldman. The trial was held at the Fairfax County Circuit Court. The location was chosen on the basis that the online edition and the print edition of The Washington Post{{'}} op-ed are published in the county.{{Cite web |last1=Domingo |first1=Ida |last2=Patrickis |first2=Caroline |date=April 26, 2022 |title=Psychologist hired by Johnny Depp testifies about Amber Heard's health is defamation trial |url=https://wset.com/news/local/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-trial-fairfax-county-virginia-court-actor-testimony-ex-wife-accused-domestic-abuse-audio-recording-drug-use-drinking-arguments-cross-examination-isaac-baruch-paul-bettany-james-franco-elon-musk-washington-post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430013033/https://wset.com/news/local/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-trial-fairfax-county-virginia-court-actor-testimony-ex-wife-accused-domestic-abuse-audio-recording-drug-use-drinking-arguments-cross-examination-isaac-baruch-paul-bettany-james-franco-elon-musk-washington-post |archive-date=April 30, 2022 |access-date=April 30, 2022 |website=WSET-TV |via=Associated Press}}

In June 2020, several lawyers withdrew from Heard's legal team with her endorsement, including Time's Up founder, Roberta Kaplan.{{Cite news |last=Walters |first=Mike |date=June 15, 2020 |title=Amber Heard Loses 'Time's Up' Attorney Roberta Kaplan In Johnny Depp Case |work=Blast News |url=https://theblast.com/c/johnny-depp-amber-heard-lawyer-drops-out-roberta-kaplan-times-up-withdraw-virginia-defamation-case/ |access-date=July 23, 2022 |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628101816/https://theblast.com/c/johnny-depp-amber-heard-lawyer-drops-out-roberta-kaplan-times-up-withdraw-virginia-defamation-case/ |url-status=live }} In October 2020, the judge ruling on early pre-trial motions revoked permission for lawyer Adam Waldman to represent Depp in Virginia after Waldman leaked confidential information covered by a protective order to the media.{{Cite news |last=Hennessy |first=Joan |date=December 28, 2021 |title=Lawyer for Johnny Depp Kicked Off Case After Press Leaks |work=Court House News |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/lawyer-for-johnny-depp-kicked-off-case-after-press-leaks/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101031206/https://www.courthousenews.com/lawyer-for-johnny-depp-kicked-off-case-after-press-leaks/ |archive-date=November 1, 2020}}

In August 2021, a New York judge ruled that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had to disclose documents related to Heard's charity pledge to the organization{{Cite web |last=Bryant |first=Kenzie |date=August 5, 2021 |title=Johnny Depp Gets Permission to Have the Records He's Looking for |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/08/johnny-depp-gets-permission-for-the-records-hes-looking-for |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807204239/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/08/johnny-depp-gets-permission-for-the-records-hes-looking-for |archive-date=August 7, 2021 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Vanity Fair}} for which the ACLU would later demand payment.{{Cite web |last=Nolan |first=Emma |magazine=Newsweek |url=https://www.newsweek.com/why-aclu-johnny-depp-86000-lawsuit-amber-heard-trial-1712028 |access-date=June 3, 2022 |title=Why the ACLU Is Asking Johnny Depp for $86,000 Ahead of Verdict |date=June 2022 |publisher=Newsweek |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602203546/https://www.newsweek.com/why-aclu-johnny-depp-86000-lawsuit-amber-heard-trial-1712028 |url-status=live }} Also in August 2021, Judge Penney S. Azcarate overruled a plea filed by Heard's lawyers for having the defamation suit dismissed on the basis of the verdict in Depp's lawsuit against the publishers of The Sun, with Azcarate citing that: Heard had been a witness in the UK case (as opposed to a defendant), the facts alleged were different (Heard's allegedly defamatory statements were made after the English case commenced), and the parties had not been subject to the same discovery procedures as in the United States.{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Eriq |date=August 18, 2021 |title=Johnny Depp Allowed Libel Suit Against Amber Heard Despite U.K. Ruling |work=Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/johnny-depp-allowed-libel-suit-against-amber-heard-despite-u-k-ruling-1234998895/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817221600/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/johnny-depp-allowed-libel-suit-against-amber-heard-despite-u-k-ruling-1234998895/ |archive-date=August 17, 2021}}

In February 2022, over objections from Heard, Azcarate ordered to permit the broadcast of courtroom proceedings. Depp's lawyer Benjamin Chew welcomed the cameras and stated that "Mr. Depp believes in transparency."{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=2022-05-27 |title=Why Was Depp-Heard Trial Televised? Critics Call It 'Single Worst Decision' for Sexual Violence Victims |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-cameras-courtroom-penney-azcarate-1235280060/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Judge Azcarate, who worried that reporters might otherwise have come to the courthouse and potentially create hazardous conditions, said, "I don't see any good cause not to do it."

On April 11, 2022, the trial began in Fairfax County, Virginia, with a day to finalize jury selection; the trial ended in June 2022.{{Cite news |last=Wolfe |first=Jan |date=April 12, 2022 |title=Actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard face off again in U.S. libel trial |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/actors-johnny-depp-amber-heard-face-off-again-us-libel-trial-2022-04-11/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220411192514/https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/actors-johnny-depp-amber-heard-face-off-again-us-libel-trial-2022-04-11/ |archive-date=April 11, 2022}}

Opening statements were made on April 12, 2022. Lawyers representing Depp accused Heard of fabricating domestic abuse accusations against Depp to further her career, saying that Heard made such allegations because Depp had asked for a divorce, and they further accused Heard of being the actual abuser in the relationship.{{Cite news |last=Helmore |first=Edward |date=April 12, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial: jurors hear conflicting accounts of marriage |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/apr/12/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-opening-day |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415003522/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/apr/12/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-opening-day |archive-date=April 15, 2022}} They argued that, while Heard's 2018 op-ed did not mention Depp, it was clear by implication that it referred to him, and that Heard's writing in the piece ("Then two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse") was a reference to her May 2016 restraining order request, in which she alleged that Depp had physically abused her. Depp's lawyers discussed Heard appearing in public with a bruised face on May 27, 2016, accusing her of staging the injury, citing that Depp had not met her since May 21, 2016, and that his witnesses had seen her without the injury in the days between May 21, 2016, and May 27, 2016. They also discussed several instances in which Depp alleges Heard instigated physical violence against him.

Heard's lawyers claimed that Depp had physically and sexually abused Heard on multiple occasions throughout their relationship, usually triggered by his addiction to both alcohol and drugs.{{Cite news |last=Peplow |first=Gemma |date=April 12, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp and Amber Heard face off in court on first day of 'soap opera' libel trial in Virginia |work=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/johnny-depp-and-amber-heard-face-off-in-court-on-first-day-of-soap-opera-libel-trial-in-virginia-12588780 |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415124850/https://news.sky.com/story/johnny-depp-and-amber-heard-face-off-in-court-on-first-day-of-soap-opera-libel-trial-in-virginia-12588780 |archive-date=April 15, 2022}} They accused Depp of seeking to "humiliate [Heard], haunt her, wreck her career" with the Virginia lawsuit and to turn the case into a "soap opera". They further argued that the First Amendment protected Heard's right to express her views in the op-ed, which was mostly focused on a broad discussion of domestic violence and did not explicitly mention Depp's name. Finally, Heard's lawyers stated that the allegations had not changed Depp's reputation, as they had become public knowledge two years prior to the op-ed, and that Depp had instead ruined his Hollywood career himself with his drinking and drug use; this made him "unreliable" in the eyes of major film studios.

Witness lists were submitted by both parties, prior to trial.{{Cite web|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=March 18, 2022|title=Johnny Depp & Amber Heard's $100M Legal War Calls James Franco, Paul Bettany, Elon Musk, Disney & Warner Bros Reps As Witnesses At Trial; Jason Momoa & Bryan Lourd Emails Added To Court Docket|url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/johnny-depp-trial-amber-heard-lawsuit-domestic-abuse-james-franco-paul-bettany-elon-musk-disney-lapd-witnesses-1234982065/|website=Deadline|access-date=September 5, 2022|archive-date=August 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823193228/https://deadline.com/2022/03/johnny-depp-trial-amber-heard-lawsuit-domestic-abuse-james-franco-paul-bettany-elon-musk-disney-lapd-witnesses-1234982065/|url-status=live}}

Witness testimony began on April 12, following the parties' presentation of their opening statements, and ended on May 26.

Following the judge's reading of the trial's jury instructions{{Cite news |date=May 27, 2022 |title=Depp-Heard trial live updates: Jury deliberations begin |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/live-blog/depp-heard-trial-live-updates-rcna30783 |work=NBC News |access-date=September 5, 2022 |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629042152/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/live-blog/depp-heard-trial-live-updates-rcna30783 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2022 |title=WATCH LIVE: Johnny Depp v Amber Heard Defamation Trial Day 24 - Verdict Watch (video timestamped to Judge Azcarate's reading of the trial's jury instructions). |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjCWuESRvN8&t=4143s |website=YouTube |access-date=July 25, 2022 |archive-date=July 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725175451/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjCWuESRvN8&list=PLoW1SIeAWaWb1IDY_WuLKvZygiJudUBSd&index=110&t=4143s |url-status=live }} on May 27, 2022, Depp's and Heard's legal teams presented their closing arguments.

Depp's legal team maintained that Heard was the abuser in their relationship and that Heard's allegations against Depp were untrue and had ruined his life.{{Cite web |last=Quay |first=Grayson |date=May 28, 2022 |title=Jury begins deliberations in Johnny Depp-Amber Heard libel trial |url=https://theweek.com/us/1013972/jury-begins-deliberations-in-johnny-depp-amber-heard-libel-trial |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528170453/https://theweek.com/us/1013972/jury-begins-deliberations-in-johnny-depp-amber-heard-libel-trial |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=The Week |language=en}} They asked the jurors to "give him his life back".{{Cite news |last=Sharp |first=Rachel |date=May 28, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp asks jurors to 'give him his life back' after it was 'ruined' by Amber Heard in closing argument |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/johnny-depp-amber-heard-closing-statements-b2088903.html?src=rss |url-status=live |access-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529134814/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/johnny-depp-amber-heard-closing-statements-b2088903.html?src=rss |archive-date=May 29, 2022}} "You either believe all of it or none of it. Either Mr. Depp assaulted Ms. Heard with a bottle in Australia, or Ms. Heard got up on that stand, in front of all of you, and made up that horrific tale of abuse," lawyer Camille Vasquez told the jury. "An act of profound cruelty not just to Mr. Depp but to true survivors of domestic abuse." Vasquez told the court that Heard "came into this courtroom ready to give the performance of her lifetime [...] and she gave it." Vasquez also argued that Heard "burns bridges" and "her close friends don't show up for her," because, according to Vasquez, apart from Heard's sister, every person who personally testified on behalf of Heard was a "paid expert", whereas many witnesses personally testified for Depp in court.{{Cite news |last=Daniell |first=Mark |date=May 27, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp's lawyers paint damning portrait of Amber Heard in closing arguments |work=Ottawa Sun |url=https://ottawasun.com/entertainment/celebrity/johnny-depps-lawyers-paint-damning-portrait-of-amber-heard-in-closing-arguments-the-lies-have-grown/wcm/c9849c95-b22f-42e3-b1f3-a9929acaade6 |access-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527231603/https://ottawasun.com/entertainment/celebrity/johnny-depps-lawyers-paint-damning-portrait-of-amber-heard-in-closing-arguments-the-lies-have-grown/wcm/c9849c95-b22f-42e3-b1f3-a9929acaade6 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Ryder |first=Taryn |date=May 27, 2022 |title=Jury deliberations begin in Johnny Depp, Amber Heard trial: Here are the possible outcomes |work=Yahoo! |url=https://news.yahoo.com/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-closing-arguments-153106471.html |access-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602055347/https://news.yahoo.com/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-closing-arguments-153106471.html |url-status=live }}

Heard's legal team maintained that Depp did abuse Heard, and that even if he did not abuse her, the op-ed was not libelous as it did not mention Depp by name nor directly address her allegations against him. They told jurors to "think about the message that Mr. Depp and his attorneys are sending to Amber and victims of domestic abuse." "If you didn't take pictures, it didn't happen," Benjamin Rottenborn, a lawyer for Heard, said. "If you didn't seek medical attention, you weren't injured." He claimed Depp "cannot and will not take responsibility. [...] It's all somebody else's fault." He told jurors that "if Amber was abused by Mr. Depp even one time, then she wins."{{Cite news |last=Helmore |first=Edward |date=May 27, 2022 |title=Depp-Heard trial: jury to resume deliberations on Tuesday |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/may/27/johnny-depp-amber-heard-case-closing-arguments |access-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529001101/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/may/27/johnny-depp-amber-heard-case-closing-arguments |url-status=live }} Rottenborn accused Depp of "victim blaming at its most disgusting".{{Cite news |last=Patrick |first=Holly |date=May 28, 2022 |title=Amber Heard's lawyer accuses Depp of 'victim blaming at its most disgusting' |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/amber-heard-victim-blaming-depp-b2089534.html |access-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610081342/https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/amber-heard-victim-blaming-depp-b2089534.html |url-status=live }}

On June 1, 2022, after nearly two days of deliberations,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61668780|title=Depp-Heard trial: Jury sides mostly with Depp in defamation case|date=June 2, 2022|work=BBC News|access-date=June 29, 2022|archive-date=June 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622115502/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61668780|url-status=live}} the jury found that Depp had proven all the elements of defamation for all three statements from Heard's 2018 op-ed, including that the statements were false, and that Heard defamed Depp with actual malice. The jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages from Heard. The punitive damages, however, were reduced to $350,000 due to a limit imposed by Virginia state law.{{Cite news |last1=Chappell |first1=Bill |last2=Diaz |first2=Jaclyn |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Depp is awarded more than $10M in defamation case against Heard and she gets $2M |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/06/01/1102118755/depp-heard-trial-verdict |access-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601231157/https://www.npr.org/2022/06/01/1102118755/depp-heard-trial-verdict |url-status=live }}

In regard to Heard's counterclaim, the jury found the second of the three contested statements that Depp's former lawyer Adam Waldman had published in the Daily Mail to be defamatory and false, defaming Heard with actual malice. Regarding the other two contested statements, the jurors concluded that Heard's attorneys had not proven all the elements of defamation. Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages from Depp but no punitive damages.{{cite news |date=June 1, 2022 |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/depp-awarded-us-10m-heard-2m-in-split-libel-lawsuit-verdict-1.5927737 |title=Johnny Depp awarded US$10M, Amber Heard $2M in split libel lawsuit verdict |work=CTV News |agency=The Associated Press |access-date=September 5, 2022 |archive-date=September 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905162354/https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/depp-awarded-us-10m-heard-2m-in-split-libel-lawsuit-verdict-1.5927737 |url-status=live }}

On July 1, 2022, Heard's legal team asked the court to set aside the verdict in favor of Depp in its entirety, dismiss the complaint or order a new trial. Their arguments included that (1) Heard "never edited or played any role with respect to the headline" and "never even became aware of the headline until Mr. Depp filed the lawsuit against her";{{Cite web |last=Hennessy |first=Joan |date=July 1, 2022 |title=Amber Heard's attorneys ask court to set aside defamation verdict |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/amber-heards-attorneys-ask-court-to-set-aside-defamation-verdict/ |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=Courthouse News |language=en-US |archive-date=July 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703025101/https://www.courthousenews.com/amber-heards-attorneys-ask-court-to-set-aside-defamation-verdict/ |url-status=live }} (2) that "Depp's award was excessive" and that, though Depp had "represented to the court he would limit his damages to the period Dec. 18, 2018 through Nov. 2, 2020," he "continued to urge the jury to restore his reputation and legacy to his children as a result of Ms. Heard accusing Mr. Depp in May 2016 of domestic violence";{{cite magazine|last=Bryant|first=Kenzie|date=July 5, 2022|title=Amber Heard Seeks to Throw Out Verdict of Johnny Depp's Defamation Case|access-date=September 5, 2022|magazine=Vanity Fair|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/07/amber-heard-seeks-to-throw-out-verdict-of-johnny-depps-defamation-case|archive-date=July 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716014529/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/07/amber-heard-seeks-to-throw-out-verdict-of-johnny-depps-defamation-case|url-status=live}} (3) one juror was listed as born in 1945 in a court list, but public information "demonstrates that he appears to have been born in 1970".{{cite news|date=July 3, 2022|last=Helmore|first=Edward|title=Amber Heard's attorneys request defamation verdict be tossed|access-date=September 5, 2022|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jul/03/amber-heard-johnny-depp-defamation-case-verdict-tossed-request|archive-date=September 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904173055/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jul/03/amber-heard-johnny-depp-defamation-case-verdict-tossed-request|url-status=live}}

On July 13, 2022, Azcarate denied several of Heard's post-trial motions for "reasons stated on the record" but provided further explanation regarding the disputed juror. She stated that the summons issued to the juror "listed his legal name and address and no birth date was noted", that the juror had provided his proper birth date when answering a court questionnaire and that Heard's legal team had neither alleged nor "shown evidence of prejudice" by the juror. She also noted that the parties had "questioned the jury panel for a full day and informed the court that the jury panel was acceptable"; and that "a party cannot wait until receiving an adverse verdict to object, for the first time, to an issue known since the beginning of trial."{{cite news |last1=Hennessy |first1=Joan |title=Virginia judge denies Heard bid for new trial in Depp defamation case |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/virginia-judge-denies-heard-bid-for-new-trial-in-depp-defamation-case/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |work=Courthouse News |date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716112418/https://www.courthousenews.com/virginia-judge-denies-heard-bid-for-new-trial-in-depp-defamation-case/ |url-status=live }} She concluded that "[t]he only evidence before this court is that this juror and all jurors followed their oaths, the court's instructions and orders. This court is bound by the competent decision of the jury."{{Cite news|date=July 13, 2022|title=Judge denies Amber Heard's request for mistrial in lawsuit won by ex-husband Johnny Depp|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/amber-heard-mistrial-request-rejected-1.6519512|work=CBC News|agency=The Associated Press|access-date=September 5, 2022|archive-date=September 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905162356/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/amber-heard-mistrial-request-rejected-1.6519512|url-status=live}}

Heard appealed the judgment against her in October 2022 while Depp appealed his in November 2022.{{cite news |last1=Thurston |first1=Joshua |title=Amber Heard appeals against $10m libel award to Johnny Depp |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/amber-heard-appeals-against-10m-libel-award-to-johnny-depp-fxhwz50mg |work=The Times |date=October 13, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221013121740/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/amber-heard-appeals-against-10m-libel-award-to-johnny-depp-fxhwz50mg |archive-date=October 13, 2022}}{{cite magazine |last1=Browning |first1=Justine |title=Johnny Depp files to appeal Amber Heard's 'erroneous' $2 million trial win |url=https://ew.com/celebrity/johnny-depp-appeals-amber-heards-2-million-trial-win/ |access-date=November 29, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=November 3, 2022}}

Heard and Depp settled the case in December 2022 and dropped their appeals, with Heard stating that even if her appeal had succeeded, she "simply cannot go through" a retrial having "lost faith in the American legal system". She maintained that the settlement was "not an act of concession" and that she had not agreed to any "restrictions or gags" going forward. Depp's lawyers stated that the "jury's unanimous decision and the resulting judgement in Mr. Depp's favor against Ms. Heard remain fully in place", and that the settlement would result in $1 million being paid to Depp by Heard's insurance, which "Depp is pledging and will donate to charities".{{cite news |last1=Honderich |first1=Holly |title=Amber Heard settles defamation case against Johnny Depp |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64031252 |access-date=December 19, 2022 |work=BBC News |date=December 19, 2022 |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219153106/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64031252 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Diaz |first1=Merrit |title=Amber Heard said she has decided to settle Johnny Depp's case against her |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/12/19/1144132687/amber-heard-johnny-depp-settlement |access-date=December 20, 2022 |work=NPR |date=December 19, 2022 |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219234326/https://www.npr.org/2022/12/19/1144132687/amber-heard-johnny-depp-settlement |url-status=live }}

Prior to the publication of the op-ed in 2018, Heard took out homeowner's insurance carrier policies with two companies that covered costs associated with defamation lawsuits. One of these companies, New York Marine and General Insurance Co., filed a lawsuit against Heard following the verdict, claiming that because the jury ruled the defamatory statements were made with "actual malice", they were exempt from providing indemnity to Heard.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/how-insurance-plays-into-johnny-depp-v-amber-heard-defamation-trial-2023-02-10/|title=How insurance plays into the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation trial|author1=Ezra, Erin Mindoro|author2=Rice, Jamie L.|author3=Angelini, Tyler J.|work=Reuters|date=February 10, 2023|access-date=April 23, 2023|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423205847/https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/how-insurance-plays-into-johnny-depp-v-amber-heard-defamation-trial-2023-02-10/|url-status=live}} The company also refused to cover any portion of Heard's legal fees for the trial, which she testified had exceeded $6 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-07-08/amber-heard-faces-lawsuit-insurance-company-johnny-depp-case|title=Amber Heard faces new legal battle, this time with her insurer over Depp suit|author=Sakoui, Anousha|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 8, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2023|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711003815/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-07-08/amber-heard-faces-lawsuit-insurance-company-johnny-depp-case|url-status=live}} The company is suing Heard and another insurance provider for a declaratory relief exempting them from any claim tied to the judgement.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/amber-heard-insurance-claim-collect-johnny-depp/|title=Amber Heard's Insurance Company Says It Won't Help Her Pay Johnny Depp's $10.4 Million Jury Prize|author=Dickey, Josh|work=TheWrap|date=July 11, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2023|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423205847/https://www.thewrap.com/amber-heard-insurance-claim-collect-johnny-depp/|url-status=live}} The case is still pending as of July 2023, in spite of Heard's request that the court dismiss the case."[https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/celebrities/2023/07/11/64adb259268e3e21088b457a.html Amber Heard demands dismissal of legal battle with insurance company over Johnny Depp verdict]". March Publications. July 11, 2023.

The trial drew much attention from supporters of either Depp or Heard as well as the broader public. At the start of the trial, several legal experts suggested that Depp had a smaller chance of winning than he did in the previous UK trial, citing the strong free speech protections in the US.{{Cite news |date=June 2, 2022|last=Levinson-King|first=Robin|title=Depp-Heard trial: Why Johnny Depp lost in the UK but won in the US |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61673676 |access-date=June 6, 2022 |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605133001/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61673676 |url-status=live }}

The trial was live-streamed, with very high viewing figures and video clips being widely shared on social media. The president of the Law & Crime network, Rachel Stockman, observed that the average daily viewership on their app was fifty times higher than before the trial.

The decision by Judge Azcarate to allow livestreaming, a rarity in Virginia courts, has been criticized. Some observers expressed concern that it would discourage victims of domestic violence from speaking out; Michele Dauber, a professor at Stanford Law School, stated, "Allowing this trial to be televised is the single worst decision I can think of in the context of intimate partner violence and sexual violence in recent history, it has ramifications way beyond this case."{{Cite web |last1=Maddaus |first1=Gene |date=May 27, 2022 |title=Why Was Depp-Heard Trial Televised? Critics Call It 'Single Worst Decision' for Sexual Violence Victims |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-cameras-courtroom-penney-azcarate-1235280060/ |access-date=July 19, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707081030/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-cameras-courtroom-penney-azcarate-1235280060/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Benchetrit |first=Jenna |date=April 24, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp, Amber Heard libel trial is nothing short of a media circus |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/depp-heard-media-circus-1.6428583 |website=CBC News |access-date=July 27, 2022 |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618130111/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/depp-heard-media-circus-1.6428583 |url-status=live }}

Amanda Hess, a critic writing for The New York Times, opined that the broadcasting of the trial "is an invitation for the proceedings to be deliberately, even gleefully tailored to a viewer's whim", with internet platforms like TikTok and YouTube being "practically built to manipulate raw visual materials in the service of a personality cult, harassment campaign or branding opportunity."{{Cite news |last=Hess |first=Amanda |date=May 26, 2022 |title=TikTok's Amber Heard Hate Machine |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/26/arts/amber-heard-tiktok-johnny-depp.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603210941/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/26/arts/amber-heard-tiktok-johnny-depp.html |url-status=live }} On the other hand, Kellie Lynch, an associate professor of criminology and criminal justice at The University of Texas at San Antonio, praised the trial for "afford[ing] an opportunity to openly discuss the nuances of IPV that are often overlooked".{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Kellie |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Heard v. Depp trial was not just a media spectacle – it provided an opportunity to discuss the nuances of intimate partner violence |url=http://theconversation.com/heard-v-depp-trial-was-not-just-a-media-spectacle-it-provided-an-opportunity-to-discuss-the-nuances-of-intimate-partner-violence-182843 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |website=The Conversation |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616131226/https://theconversation.com/heard-v-depp-trial-was-not-just-a-media-spectacle-it-provided-an-opportunity-to-discuss-the-nuances-of-intimate-partner-violence-182843 |url-status=live}}

Data collected by Newswhip from April 4 to May 16, 2022, indicated that news articles about the trial had generated more social-media interactions per article in the United States than all other significant news topics, including the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion on abortion, Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, the inflation surge, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite news |last1=Rothschild |first1=Neal |last2=Fischer |first2=Sara |date=May 17, 2022 |title=America more interested in Depp-Heard trial than abortion |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/05/17/amber-heard-johnny-depp-trial-social-media |url-status=live |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521003800/https://www.axios.com/2022/05/17/amber-heard-johnny-depp-trial-social-media |archive-date=May 21, 2022}} Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram users expressed opinions about the case or rallied against others doing the same.{{Cite web |last=Dahir |first=Ikran |date=April 29, 2022 |title=All Rise, The TikTok Courtroom Of Amber Heard And Johnny Depp Is Now In Session |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ikrd/milani-cosmetics-tiktok-about-johnny-depp-and-amber-heard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429143632/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ikrd/milani-cosmetics-tiktok-about-johnny-depp-and-amber-heard |archive-date=April 29, 2022 |access-date=April 29, 2022 |website=BuzzFeed News |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Michallon |first=Clemence |date=May 5, 2022 |title=The unbearable memeification of the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard trial |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/johnny-depp-amber-heard-memes-reddit-tiktok-b2076344.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511090458/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/johnny-depp-amber-heard-memes-reddit-tiktok-b2076344.html |archive-date=May 11, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=May 9, 2022 |title=TikTok Viral Trend: Videos Ridiculing Amber Heard's Testimony in Johnny Depp Case |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/tiktok-videos-mock-amber-heard-johnny-depp-1235262321/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511233101/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/tiktok-videos-mock-amber-heard-johnny-depp-1235262321/ |archive-date=May 11, 2022}} Clips of the trial were used to create memes, compilation or reaction videos, with multiple such videos going viral.{{Cite news |last1=Hobbes |first1=Michael |last2=Molloy |first2=Parker |date=June 3, 2022 |title=What Really Happened at the Amber Heard–Johnny Depp Trial |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/culture/2022/06/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-verdict-evidence-truth.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604005604/https://slate.com/culture/2022/06/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-verdict-evidence-truth.html |archive-date=June 4, 2022}} Those posting about the trial on social media were seen to mostly support Depp and oppose Heard.{{Cite news |last=De Couto |first=Sarah |date=May 10, 2022 |title=TikTok creators take aim at Amber Heard with degrading memes amid Johnny Depp trial |work=Global News |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8822873/amber-heard-johnny-depp-trial-memes-tik-tok/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529134809/https://globalnews.ca/news/8822873/amber-heard-johnny-depp-trial-memes-tik-tok/ |archive-date=May 29, 2022}} Videos carrying the hashtag #justiceforjohnnydepp had attained over 18 billion views on TikTok by the trial's conclusion.{{Cite news |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's 'Trial by TikTok' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61649522 |access-date=June 6, 2022 |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605214659/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61649522 |url-status=live }} BuzzFeed News reported that, between April 25 and 29, 2022, there were 1,667 posts uploaded to Facebook using the hashtag #JusticeForJohnnyDepp, with over 7 million total interactions, i.e., likes and shares between them. In comparison, Heard only had 16 posts in support, with 10,415 interactions. Additionally, on TikTok, videos tagged with #JusticeForJohnnyDepp had over 5 billion combined views, while videos tagged with #JusticeForAmberHeard had only 21 million combined views as of April 29.

Bill Goodykoontz of The Arizona Republic criticized the social media coverage of the trial, stating that "Depp and Heard are real people with real problems, after all, not just meme fodder and hashtag subjects," and that "the vile nature of some of the misogynistic tweets and TikTok videos posted about Heard were toxic masculinity at its worst."{{Cite web |last=Goodykoontz |first=Bill |date=June 1, 2022 |title=How the media covered the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard verdict, and why audiences cared so much |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2022/06/01/johnny-depp-amber-heard-verdict-media-reaction/7475369001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906071350/https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2022/06/01/johnny-depp-amber-heard-verdict-media-reaction/7475369001/ |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}} Katherine Denkinson of The Independent likened the social media backlash against Heard and her supporters during the trial to Gamergate, claiming that "the anti-Amber train has been expertly commandeered by the alt-right."{{Cite web |last=Denkinson |first=Katherine |date=May 27, 2022 |title=From Gamergate to AmberTurd: alt-right hijacks the Depp v Heard trial |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/depp-heard-trial-gamergate-amberturd-altright-b2088919.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613032957/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/depp-heard-trial-gamergate-amberturd-altright-b2088919.html |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}} Journalist Amelia Tait of The Guardian wrote that Depp v. Heard had turned into "trial by TikTok", stating that the case had become "a source of comedy" on social media.{{Cite news |last=Tait |first=Amelia |date=May 11, 2022 |title='Amber Heard v Johnny Depp' has turned into trial by TikTok – and we're all the worse for it |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/may/11/amber-heard-jonny-depp-trial-tiktok-fans |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511051739/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/may/11/amber-heard-jonny-depp-trial-tiktok-fans |archive-date=May 11, 2022}} Similar themes were noted by journalists at BuzzFeed News, The Independent,{{Cite news |last=Hundal |first=Sunny |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp was lovable onscreen – it doesn't mean he's a nice guy |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/johnny-depp-trial-amber-heard-memes-b2072072.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511194346/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/johnny-depp-trial-amber-heard-memes-b2072072.html |archive-date=May 11, 2022}} and Vanity Fair.{{Cite magazine |last=Cai |first=Delia |date=May 12, 2022 |title=What's Really Driving the Memeing of the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard Trial? |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/05/whats-really-driving-the-memeing-of-the-johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial |url-status=live |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512164205/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/05/whats-really-driving-the-memeing-of-the-johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |access-date=May 12, 2022}} Sunny Hundal of The Independent, remarking upon social media reactions about Depp and Heard, opined that "There clearly isn't a gender divide here either. A lot of women have taken Johnny Depp's side, and a lot of vocal men are on Heard's side. [...] But it can also be true that social media coverage of this case has subtly played into traditional, sexist tropes about men and women." Columnist Katie Edwards, writing for The Independent and the i Newspaper, argued that the trial "exposed the fallacy of mutual abuse"{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Katie |date=2022-04-25 |title=Trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard exposes the fallacy of 'mutual abuse' |url=https://inews.co.uk/opinion/trial-between-johnny-depp-and-amber-heard-exposes-the-fallacy-of-mutual-abuse-1594127 |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}} and claimed that "war criminals guilty of atrocities don't get as much vitriol" as Heard.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-27 |title=Opinion: Why does the internet hate Amber Heard more than Putin? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/amber-heard-johnny-depp-trial-putin-b2088737.html |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=The Independent |language=en}} A.O. Scott argued that Depp's gender allowed the courtroom audience to "accept him as flawed, vulnerable, human, and to view her as monstrous," contending that "[c]elebrity and masculinity confer mutually reinforcing advantages."{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O.|author-link=A.O. Scott|date=June 2, 2022 |title=The Actual Malice of the Johnny Depp Trial |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/arts/depp-heard-trial-malice.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604040851/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/arts/depp-heard-trial-malice.html |url-status=live }}

Misinformation was widely shared, with researchers identifying bots artificially spreading content.{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Aja |date=May 20, 2022 |title=The Depp-Heard trial is monstrous. It's just the start. |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23131538/johnny-depp-amber-heard-tiktok-snl-extremism |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719202646/https://www.vox.com/culture/23131538/johnny-depp-amber-heard-tiktok-snl-extremism |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |website=Vox |language=en}} For example, social media users falsely alleged that Heard copied quotes from the film The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) in her testimony.{{Cite web |last=Evon |first=Dan |date=May 5, 2022 |title=Did Amber Heard Steal 'Talented Mr. Ripley' Lines During Depp Trial? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/amber-heard-johnny-depp-trial/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510215240/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/amber-heard-johnny-depp-trial/ |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |access-date=May 11, 2022 |website=Snopes |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Putterman |first=Samantha |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Amber Heard didn't steal lines from 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' during testimony in Depp trial |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/may/09/facebook-posts/amber-heard-didnt-steal-lines-talented-mr-ripley-d/ |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=PolitiFact |language=en-US |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612023946/https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/may/09/facebook-posts/amber-heard-didnt-steal-lines-talented-mr-ripley-d/ |url-status=live }} Widely shared falsehoods that Heard was using cocaine on the stand were also disproven.{{Cite web |last=Ibrahim |first=Nur |date=May 10, 2022 |title=Does Video Show Amber Heard Sniffing Cocaine at Depp v. Heard Trial? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/amber-heard-sniff-cocaine-trial/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526120932/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/amber-heard-sniff-cocaine-trial/ |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |access-date=May 26, 2022 |website=Snopes |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Curet |first=Monique |date=May 12, 2022 |title=No evidence Amber Heard used cocaine in court |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/may/12/facebook-posts/no-evidence-amber-heard-used-cocaine-court/ |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=PolitiFact |language=en-US |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615203730/https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/may/12/facebook-posts/no-evidence-amber-heard-used-cocaine-court/ |url-status=live }} Shannon Keating, a culture writer and editor for BuzzFeed News, wrote that the "social media frenzy around this case was clearly fueled by savvy PR", bots, and conservative media advertising, with the result that "lots of people have happily accepted the propaganda as sacrosanct."{{Cite web |last=Keating |first=Shannon |date=May 31, 2022 |title=Mainstream Feminism Has Failed Us |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/shannonkeating/abortion-rights-amber-heard-girlboss-feminism |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601201408/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/shannonkeating/abortion-rights-amber-heard-girlboss-feminism |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=BuzzFeed News |language=en}} In May 2022, the media non-profit The Citizens and Vice World News reported that the conservative website The Daily Wire had spent between $35,000 and $47,000 on Facebook and Instagram advertisements and have promoted "misleading information about the trial" and "anti-Amber Heard propaganda".{{Cite web |last1=McCool |first1=Alice |last2=Narayanan |first2=Manasa |date=May 19, 2022 |title=The Daily Wire Spent Thousands of Dollars Promoting Anti-Amber Heard Propaganda |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/daily-wire-amber-heard-johnny-depp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704125321/https://www.vice.com/en/article/3ab3yk/daily-wire-amber-heard-johnny-depp |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=Vice |language=en}}

In July 2022, Twitter analytics service Bot Sentinel, which was hired and paid by Heard's team, published a report saying that Twitter trolls had engaged in "rampant abuse and widespread targeted harassment" of women who voiced support for Heard.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2022-07-18 |title=Amber Heard Supporters Target of 'Widespread Harassment' on Twitter, According to Firm Once Hired by Heard's Lawyers |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/amber-heard-targeted-harassment-twitter-widespread-harassment-report-1235319095/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=April 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421151152/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/amber-heard-targeted-harassment-twitter-widespread-harassment-report-1235319095/ |url-status=live }} In November 2022, more than 130 people and groups associated with women's rights and domestic-violence prevention—including Gloria Steinem, the National Organization for Women, the National Women's Law Center, and Equality Now—signed an open letter supporting Heard.{{cite news |last1=Tenbarge |first1=Kat |last2=Rosenblatt |first2=Kalhan |date=November 16, 2022 |title=National feminist organizations break their silence on Amber Heard in an open letter of support |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/national-feminist-organizations-break-silence-amber-heard-open-letter-rcna56629 |url-status=live |access-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331163013/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/national-feminist-organizations-break-silence-amber-heard-open-letter-rcna56629 |archive-date=March 31, 2023}} The letter noted that the vilification and "online harassment" of Heard and her supporters were "unprecedented in both vitriol and scale," and attributed it to "disinformation, misogyny, biphobia, and a monetized social media environment where a woman's allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault were mocked for entertainment." Psychology professor Jennifer Freyd, who coined the term DARVO (deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender), stated, "What we have witnessed in the US over this case has been an overwhelming case for Depp on social media. It is like an anti-Heard campaign and there has been a lot of Darvo."

The intense coverage of the trial and the fact that it was live-streamed made it an unusual case.{{Cite news |first=Anya|last=Zoledziowski|title=Did Social Media Sway the Johnny Depp Jury? |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/johnny-depp-heard-trial-jury-social-media/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719164519/https://www.vice.com/en/article/qjkd4q/johnny-depp-heard-trial-jury-social-media |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |work=Vice News|language=en}} Legal commentators and Heard's attorneys suggested that, because the jury was not sequestered, the social-media coverage of the trial may have had an influence on the final verdict.{{Cite web|first=Scott|last=Stump|date=June 3, 2022|title=How social media could influence other cases after Depp, Heard trial |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/popculture/social-media-could-influence-other-cases-after-depp-heard-trial-rcna31804 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719164519/https://www.today.com/popculture/popculture/social-media-could-influence-other-cases-after-depp-heard-trial-rcna31804 |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |website=Today|language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Blair |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Archie |first2=Ayana |date=June 15, 2022 |title=Amber Heard says social media was a factor for her defamation trial jury |language=en |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/06/15/1104925752/amber-heard-says-social-media-was-a-factor-for-her-defamation-trial-jury |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719164249/https://www.npr.org/2022/06/15/1104925752/amber-heard-says-social-media-was-a-factor-for-her-defamation-trial-jury |archive-date=July 19, 2022}} During the trial, the judge asked the jurors to refrain from reading about the case online, even instructing them to turn off their cell phones for its duration. Paula Todd, a lawyer and media professor, raised the question of how many of the jury members would listen to the judge's instructions to avoid accessing online coverage.{{Cite news |last=Benchetrit |first=Jenna |date=May 28, 2022 |title=How memes about the Depp-Heard trial can have real-life consequences |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/depp-heard-memeification-1.6469420 |url-status=live |access-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605030022/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/depp-heard-memeification-1.6469420 |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |quote=The problem with that, of course, is how many jurors do what they're told?}} Law professor Mary Anne Franks said, "[I]t's crazy to think they are not going to be influenced by what's happening on social media," further noting that she encountered out-of-context, distorted depictions of the trial despite trying to avoid reading about the case.{{Cite web |last1=Dale |first1=Maryclaire |last2=Noveck |first2=Jocelyn |date=June 3, 2022 |title=Depp-Heard trial: Advocates fear chilling effect on accusers |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/depp-heard-trial-advocates-fear-chilling-effect-accusers-85166426 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603221107/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/depp-heard-trial-advocates-fear-chilling-effect-accusers-85166426 |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=ABC News |language=en}} Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond School of Law professor, said "I don't envy the judge—or the jurors—because it's hard to protect them from [outside] influences," noting that such outside influences inhibit the justice system's ability to "give people a fair day in court." Following the trial, a juror denied that the jury had been influenced by social media, saying, "We followed the evidence. We didn't take into account anything outside [...] They were very serious accusations and a lot of money involved. So we weren't taking it lightly."{{Cite news |last=Tapp |first=Tom |date=June 16, 2022 |title=Depp-Heard Juror Speaks Out For First Time, Details Why The 'Aquaman' Actress 'Didn't Come Across As Believable' |work=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/depp-heard-juror-amber-testimony-not-believable-1235046961/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616185238/https://deadline.com/2022/06/depp-heard-juror-amber-testimony-not-believable-1235046961/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Mack |first1=David |title=A Juror Said They Didn't Believe Amber Heard's 'Crocodile Tears' And That She Made Them Uncomfortable |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/amber-heard-johnny-depp-juror |access-date=July 21, 2022 |work=Buzzfeed News |date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705222024/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/amber-heard-johnny-depp-juror |url-status=live }}

Following the trial, a juror was interviewed by Good Morning America.{{cite news |last1=Guarino |first1=Mark |last2=Lantz |first2=Doug |title=Juror in Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial speaks out |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/juror-johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-trial-speaks-85432281 |access-date=July 21, 2022 |work=Good Morning America |date=June 16, 2022 |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715211856/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/juror-johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-trial-speaks-85432281 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Dellatto |first1=Marisa |title=Johnny Depp Juror Speaks Out: Amber Heard 'Didn't Come Across As Believable' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/06/16/johnny-depp-juror-speaks-out-amber-heard-didnt-come-across-as-believable/ |access-date=July 21, 2022 |work=Forbes |date=June 16, 2022 |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906071359/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertag&topUrl=www.forbes.com |url-status=live }} The juror stated that he found that Depp and Heard "were both abusive to each other" but that Heard's team failed to prove that Depp's abuse was physical. "They had their husband-wife arguments. They were both yelling at each other, I don't think that makes either of them right or wrong [...] But to rise to the level of what she was claiming, there wasn't enough or any evidence that really supported what she was saying".{{cite news |last1=Vakil |first1=Caroline |title=Juror in Johnny Depp trial says others didn't believe 'ice cold' Amber Heard |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/3526256-juror-in-johnny-depp-trial-says-others-didnt-believe-ice-cold-amber-heard/ |access-date=July 21, 2022 |work=The Hill |date=June 16, 2022 |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721101612/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/3526256-juror-in-johnny-depp-trial-says-others-didnt-believe-ice-cold-amber-heard/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=D'Zurilla |first1=Christie |title=Amber Heard is talking about Johnny Depp's win. Is she asking for more legal trouble? |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-06-17/amber-heard-johnny-depp-nbc-interview-defamation |access-date=July 21, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721102105/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-06-17/amber-heard-johnny-depp-nbc-interview-defamation |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |url-status=live }} The juror opined that Heard's testimony was not "believable" because it "seemed like she was able to flip the switch on her emotions", while Depp "seemed a little more real in terms of how he responded to questions". Heard, the juror said, was considered the aggressor in the relationship by the majority of the jury, stating "If you have a battered wife or spouse situation, why would you buy the other person, the 'aggressor,' a knife?"{{Cite magazine |last=Bucksbaum |first=Sydney |date=June 17, 2022 |title=Juror in Johnny Depp trial breaks silence, says jury didn't buy Amber Heard's 'crocodile tears' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://ew.com/celebrity/johnny-depp-trial-juror-amber-heard-crocodile-tears/ |access-date=July 21, 2022 |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621002442/https://ew.com/celebrity/johnny-depp-trial-juror-amber-heard-crocodile-tears/ |url-status=live }}

On June 2, 2022, The Washington Post affixed an editor's note to Heard's 2018 op-ed to notify readers of the defamation suit and its outcome, reading, "On June 1, 2022, [...] a jury found Heard liable on three counts. [...] The jury separately found that Depp, through his lawyer Adam Waldman, defamed Heard in one of three counts in her countersuit."{{Cite news |last=Flood |first=Brian |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp verdict: Washington Post adds lengthy editor's note to Amber Heard op-ed that was ruled defamatory |work=Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/johnny-depp-verdict-washington-post-amber-heard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616205326/https://www.foxnews.com/media/johnny-depp-verdict-washington-post-amber-heard |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |quote='Editor's note, June 2, 2022: In 2019, Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for defamation arising out of this 2018 op-ed. On June 1, 2022, following a trial in Fairfax County, Va. Circuit Court, a jury found Heard liable on three counts for the following statements, which Depp claimed were false and defamatory: (1) "I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change." (2) "Then two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture's wrath for women who speak out." (3) "I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse." The jury separately found that Depp, through his lawyer Adam Waldman, defamed Heard in one of three counts in her countersuit,' the Washington Post wrote.}}

Various columnists and legal experts reacted strongly to the verdict. Defamation suits by public figures are rarely successful in the United States, relevant case law being New York Times Co. v. Sullivan and the subsequent Curtis Publishing Co. v. Butts.{{Cite magazine |last=Bryant |first=Kenzie |date=April 11, 2022 |title=The Johnny Depp–Amber Heard Defamation Trial: The Makings of a 'Remarkable' Moment in American Celebrity |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/04/johnny-depp-amber-heard-us-virginia-defamation-trial |access-date=June 4, 2022 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503011458/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/04/johnny-depp-amber-heard-us-virginia-defamation-trial |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Snodgrass |first1=Erin |last2=Vlamis |first2=Kelsey |last3=Shamsian |first3=Jacob |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Amber Heard said she lost the right to 'speak freely' but experts say the Johnny Depp case was 'not a free speech issue but a credibility issue' |url=https://news.yahoo.com/amber-heard-said-she-lost-013144257.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Yahoo! |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604043109/https://news.yahoo.com/amber-heard-said-she-lost-013144257.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Lidsky |first1=Lyrissa |last2=Jones |first2=Ronnell Anderson |date=June 2, 2022 |title=The Real Lesson of the Disastrous Outcome in the Depp-Heard Trial |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/06/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-scotus.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Slate Magazine |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603233349/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/06/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-scotus.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Volokh |first=Eugene |title=Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Libel, and Chilling Effects |url=https://reason.com/volokh/2022/06/01/libel-and-chilling-effects/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Reason.com |date=June 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602105340/https://reason.com/volokh/2022/06/01/libel-and-chilling-effects/ |url-status=live }} New York Times reporter Jeremy W. Peters said that, in publishing allegations of abuse, "both ... women and the press assume the considerable risk that comes with antagonizing the rich, powerful and litigious".{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Jeremy W. |title=Depp Trial Exposes Risks to Media in Airing #MeToo Accusations |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/03/business/media/depp-heard-journalism-metoo.html |access-date=June 14, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=June 3, 2022 |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613233729/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/03/business/media/depp-heard-journalism-metoo.html |url-status=live }} Dan Novack of The Atlantic argued that the verdict concluded a "fair trial" and was not a markedly different interpretation of the First Amendment, which he says remains "enormously protective of media reporting on credible accusations of sexual abuse. It is telling that Depp did not name the ACLU, which helped draft the op-ed at the center of the case, or The Washington Post (which published it)."{{Cite web |last=Novack |first=Dan |date=June 2, 2022 |title=The First Amendment Is Stronger Than Johnny Depp |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/06/johnny-depp-amber-heard-verdict-first-amendment/661174/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=The Atlantic |language=en |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604040614/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/06/johnny-depp-amber-heard-verdict-first-amendment/661174/ |url-status=live }}

University of Richmond School of Law Professor Carl Tobias said he was surprised by the verdict, and said it was "unusual" that both Depp and Heard won at least one count each. Lisa Bloom, an attorney in several high-profile sexual abuse cases, described the verdicts as "inconsistent", asking, "How can it be that Amber Heard was defamed when Johnny Depp's lawyer said that her allegations were a hoax, and yet Johnny Depp was also defamed when she said she was representative of domestic violence?"{{cite news|work=The Independent|title=Attorney Lisa Bloom says Amber Heard should appeal 'inconsistent' Johnny Depp verdict|first=Clémence|last=Michallon|date=June 2, 2022|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/amber-heard-johnny-depp-verdict-appeal-b2092989.html|access-date=April 21, 2023|archive-date=April 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421154212/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/amber-heard-johnny-depp-verdict-appeal-b2092989.html|url-status=live}} Entertainment Weekly asked Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, and Valentina Shaknes, a founding partner of matrimonial law firm Krauss Shaknes Tallentire & Messeri, to explain "why was it defamatory for Depp's lawyers to accuse [Heard] of a hoax" when "the jury didn't find her abuse claims credible": Rahmani suggested that the jury decided that Waldman "lied when he said that Heard and her friends set Depp up and perpetuated a hoax when they called the LAPD to the apartment", likely because "the evidence revealed that Heard didn't call LAPD" and Heard "didn't even cooperate with LAPD when they showed up". Shaknes, who had previously expressed surprise at the verdicts (saying, "It sort of took me a minute to figure out how they both could be awarded damages; how they both could be right"), said, "The best way to translate it is that I think the jury wanted to give Amber something."{{cite magazine |last1=Miller |first1=Mike |last2=Wang |first2=Jessica |title=Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard: Legal experts break down the verdict, appeal chances, and what's next |url=https://ew.com/celebrity/johnny-depp-v-amber-heard-legal-experts-explain-verdict/ |access-date=April 21, 2023 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 3, 2022}}

Several commentators and feminist organizations expressed concern that the suit set a precedent that would dissuade survivors of abuse from speaking out in light of the threat of defamation litigation.{{Multiref|{{Cite magazine |last=Bedera |first=Nicole |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Depp v. Heard Reminds Us That the System Is Stacked Against Survivors |url=https://time.com/6183484/johnny-depp-amber-heard-survivors-metoo/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |magazine=Time |language=en |ref=none |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604004444/https://time.com/6183484/johnny-depp-amber-heard-survivors-metoo/ |url-status=live }}|{{Cite web |last=Grady |first=Constance |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp's legal victory makes it clear the Me Too backlash has arrived |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23150632/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-verdict-me-too-backlash |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Vox |language=en |ref=none |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604032602/https://www.vox.com/culture/23150632/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-verdict-me-too-backlash |url-status=live }}|{{Cite web |last=Drayton |first=Tiffanie |date=June 2, 2022 |title=The horrifying domestic abuse precedent set by Johnny Depp's defamation win |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/johnny-depps-amber-heard-trial-verdict-will-devastating-chilling-effec-rcna31681 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=NBC News |language=en |ref=none |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604040614/https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/johnny-depps-amber-heard-trial-verdict-will-devastating-chilling-effec-rcna31681 |url-status=live }}|{{cite magazine |last1=Winter |first1=Jessica |date=June 2, 2022 |title=The Johnny Depp–Amber Heard Verdict Is Chilling |magazine=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-depp-heard-verdict-is-chilling |ref=none |access-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603204839/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-depp-heard-verdict-is-chilling |url-status=live }}|{{Cite news |last=Edwards |first=Katie |date=May 27, 2022 |title=What have we learnt from #MeToo? Johnny Depp v Amber Heard holds the answer |language=en-UK |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/amber-heard-johnny-depp-domestic-violence-metoo-b2088748.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602141226/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/amber-heard-johnny-depp-domestic-violence-metoo-b2088748.html }}}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/11/18/amber-heard-open-letter-support/|title=Open letter condemns harassment of Amber Heard during Johnny Depp trial|author=Paúl, María Luisa|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 18, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2022|archive-date=November 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118174934/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/11/18/amber-heard-open-letter-support/|url-status=live}} An open letter signed by more than 130 women's-rights and domestic-violence-centered organizations and activists denounced the "rising misuse" of defamation lawsuits to silence people who report domestic and sexual abuse and stated that the verdict and the online response "indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of intimate partner and sexual violence and how survivors respond to it." Similarly, Kathy Spillar, the executive director of the Feminist Majority Foundation, said her organization observed a "growing backlash" against women who speak out against abusers, adding, "If this can happen to Amber Heard, it will discourage other women from speaking up and even filing reports about domestic violence and sexual assault." Conversely, Fox Nation's Tomi Lahren argued that, rather than chill speech, Depp's victory represented a "big victory in the battle against cancel culture".{{cite news|url=https://www.skynews.com.au/opinion/piers-morgan/big-victory-in-the-battle-against-cancel-culture-with-depp-court-win/video/ce2d9ca97a1687d4d025d964b0a01a9f|work=Sky News|title='Big victory in the battle against cancel culture' with Depp court win|date=June 2, 2022|access-date=April 1, 2023|archive-date=April 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401211918/https://www.skynews.com.au/opinion/piers-morgan/big-victory-in-the-battle-against-cancel-culture-with-depp-court-win/video/ce2d9ca97a1687d4d025d964b0a01a9f|url-status=live}}

Founder of Refuge Erin Pizzey expressed her support to Johnny Depp, describing him as a survivor of domestic violence: “Johnny Depp is a hero. He is a precedent setter who has done the world a great favour. From now on, every judge and jury considering allegations of abuse will know of this case. They will know that an accused man has proven his innocence, and that men are abused too. Most importantly, they will know that a violent woman was the abuser, and that women can be violent—this realisation is the trial’s legacy."{{Cite web |title=Johnny Told the World, Johnny Changed the World {{!}} Lotus Eaters |url=https://www.lotuseaters.com/johnny-told-the-world-johnny-changed-the-world-18-06-22 |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=www.lotuseaters.com |language=en}}

Some commentators were skeptical of the trial's long-term effect, arguing that the trial's context was too unique to be indicative of #MeToo's reversal. Mitra Ahouraian, a media attorney, said "I'm hoping that people recognize this as distinct from a lot of the #MeToo situations that we've seen, for example, like the Harvey Weinsteins of the world, This is not that. This is two people who were in a toxic relationship that were awful to one another and a jury decided that one of them was manipulating the situation."{{Cite web |last=Bekiempis |first=Victoria |date=June 3, 2022 |title=What does the Heard-Depp verdict mean for the #MeToo movement? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/03/metoo-amber-heard-johnny-depp |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604040614/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/03/metoo-amber-heard-johnny-depp |url-status=live }} Leading sexual assault lawyer Debra Katz described the trial as having unique celebrity, "dysfunction", and "craziness" but judged that the Depp v. Heard verdict was less "consequential" to #MeToo compared to Harvey Weinstein losing his appeal for his rape conviction the next day. Tarana Burke, generally considered the founder of #MeToo, tweeted that "The 'me too' movement isn't dead, this system is dead. [...] When you get the verdict you want, 'the movement works' – when you don't, it's dead. [...] This movement is very much alive."

Alexandra Lysova, Associate Professor of Criminology at Simon Fraser University, argued that the verdict was, in fact, an expansion of #MeToo to male victims of intimate partner violence.{{Cite web |last=Lysova |first=Alexandra |date=June 8, 2022 |title=Depp v. Heard verdict is a turning point in discussion of intimate partner violence |url=http://theconversation.com/depp-v-heard-verdict-is-a-turning-point-in-discussion-of-intimate-partner-violence-184424 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |website=The Conversation |language=en |quote=I consider this case to be a crucial turning point in the public discussion of intimate partner violence because it has shed light on hidden forms of intimate partner violence and men who are victims of it |ref=none |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615191453/https://theconversation.com/depp-v-heard-verdict-is-a-turning-point-in-discussion-of-intimate-partner-violence-184424 |url-status=live}} Conversely, A.O. Scott pointed out that, though Depp "accused Heard of doing terrible things to him in the course of their relationship and breakup, the lawsuit wasn't about those things. It was about words published under her name, none of which were 'Johnny Depp.{{' "}} And, writing for Vox, Constance Grady said, "Depp's victory is not an expansion of the gains of Me Too. It is a cynical appropriation of the rhetoric of Me Too, applied now to its end."{{cite news |last=Grady|first=Constance|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23150632/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-verdict-me-too-backlash|title=The Me Too backlash is here|website=Vox|date=June 2, 2022|access-date=June 4, 2022|archive-date=June 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604032602/https://www.vox.com/culture/23150632/johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-verdict-me-too-backlash|url-status=live}}

Jack Houghton, digital editor of Sky News Australia, deemed Vasquez's cross-examination to have shown the public Heard's lack of credibility while further considered the ruling of Waldman having defamed Heard to be "hardly a verdict that a cabal of sexist jurors would render".{{cite news |last1=Houghton |first1=Jack |title=Media 'loses reader trust' by painting the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial as 'misogynistic' |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/media-loses-reader-trust-by-painting-the-johnny-depp-and-amber-heard-trial-as-misogynistic/news-story/25d028a213baea924e32d74280483584 |access-date=June 9, 2022 |work=Sky News Australia |date=June 3, 2022 |archive-date=June 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609061627/https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/media-loses-reader-trust-by-painting-the-johnny-depp-and-amber-heard-trial-as-misogynistic/news-story/25d028a213baea924e32d74280483584 |url-status=live }} Halim Dhanidina, a criminal defense attorney and retired judge, and Limor Mojdehiazad, a family law attorney, agreed that the manner of Heard's testimony may have influenced the jury's verdict against her, and also agreed that Depp's legal team was stronger than Heard's.{{cite news |last1=Rosenblatt |first1=Kalhan |title=Amber Heard was 'not credible' as a witness to the jury, some legal experts say |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/amber-heard-was-not-credible-witness-jury-legal-experts-say-rcna31564 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=NBC News |date=June 3, 2022 |archive-date=April 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421151402/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/amber-heard-was-not-credible-witness-jury-legal-experts-say-rcna31564 |url-status=live }} Dhanidina opined that Depp's legal team brought forth more convincing witnesses and evidence, while Heard's testimony had inconsistencies, some of which were caused by her lawyers, who wrongly suggested that Heard used a specific makeup kit which had not yet been developed at the time of the alleged events.

A film adaptation of the trial, Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial, premiered on September 30, 2022, on Tubi.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=September 15, 2022 |title=Johnny Depp-Amber Heard Defamation Trial Movie to Stream on Fox's Tubi |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-trial-movie-tubi-1235373906/ |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=Variety |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915183038/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-trial-movie-tubi-1235373906/ |url-status=live }}

Journalist Nick Wallis's book, Depp v Heard: The Unreal Story,{{Cite book |last=Wallis |first=Nick |author-link=Nick Wallis |title=Depp v Heard: The Unreal Story |publisher=Bath Publishing |year=2023 |isbn=978-1-8384390-8-8 |location=UK}} about the trials in both the UK and the US and his experiences reporting from court was published in May 2023.

Hollywood Vampires: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, and the Celebrity Exploitation Machine was published in June 2025, providing analysis of the trial and insights from a former juror.{{cite news |date=June 17, 2025 |title=Johnny Depp Trial Juror Says Women on Jury Were Tougher on Amber Heard |url=https://people.com/johnny-depp-trial-juror-women-jury-tougher-on-amber-heard-11756229 |access-date=June 17, 2025 |work=PEOPLE}}

BBC News aired Reputation: Depp v Heard in June 2022. In the same month, Channel 5 broadcast Depp vs Heard: Winners and Losers. Discovery+ released the documentary Johnny vs Amber: The US Trial in September 2022, which was added to Max on May 23, 2023. Another documentary was released by the French national television broadcaster France Télévisions in February 2023.{{Cite episode |title=Affaire Johnny Depp/Amber Heard - La justice à l'épreuve des réseaux sociaux |url=https://www.france.tv/france-5/la-fabrique-du-mensonge/5189277-affaire-johnny-depp-amber-heard-la-justice-a-l-epreuve-des-reseaux-sociaux.html#section-about |access-date=September 5, 2024 |series=La fabrique du mensonge |first=

Cécile |last=Delarue |network=France Télévisions |date=February 12, 2023 |season=3 |number=5 |language=French}} The documentary, titled "Affaire Johnny Depp/Amber Heard", was released as the fifth episode of the third season of the La Fabrique du Mensonge docuseries broadcast by the network.{{cite news |last1=Guy |first1=Chantal |date=February 21, 2023 |title=Comment les masculinistes ont détourné le procès Depp-Heard |trans-title=How masculinists hijacked the Depp-Heard trial |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/arts/chroniques/2023-02-21/comment-les-masculinistes-ont-detourne-le-proces-depp-heard.php |url-status=live |language=French |work=La Presse |location=Montreal, Quebec, Canada |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430072859/https://www.lapresse.ca/arts/chroniques/2023-02-21/comment-les-masculinistes-ont-detourne-le-proces-depp-heard.php |archive-date=April 30, 2023 |access-date=September 5, 2024}} Channel 4 aired the three-part docuseries Depp v. Heard in May 2023 based on transcripts of the US defamation trial.{{cite web | url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/depp-v-heard | title=Watch Depp V Heard | Stream free on Channel 4 }} Netflix released the docuseries outside the UK on August 16, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Kasey |date=2023-07-20 |title=Netflix Acquires 'Depp V Heard' Documentary Series: Releasing in August 2023 |url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/netflix-acquires-depp-v-heard-documentary-series-for-release-in-august-2023/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=What's on Netflix |language=en}} A three part series titled Surviving Amber Heard was released on Amazon Prime in 2023.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Surviving-Amber-Heard/dp/B0CHH1LBBS

A podcast series titled Who Trolled Amber? was released in 2024, which alleged links between Depp and Mohammed bin Salman (the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia), as well as alleging that Saudi-funded bot networks were used to foster wide-spread support for Depp.{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Anita |date=February 27, 2024 |title=Amber Heard 'trolled by Saudi-backed bots' during Johnny Depp court battles |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/27/amber-heard-trolling-campaign-tortoise-media-johnny-depp/ |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London, England |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407075052/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/27/amber-heard-trolling-campaign-tortoise-media-johnny-depp/ |archive-date=April 7, 2024 |access-date=April 10, 2024}}

• Domestic violence
• Domestic violence against men
• Court of public opinion
• Duluth Model
• Richard Marks (lawyer)

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ive-seen-how-institutions-protect-men-accused-of-abuse-heres-what-we-can-do/2018/12/18/71fd876a-02ed-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html Op-ed written by Amber Heard for The Washington Post]
• Fairfax County website: [https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/high-profile-cases High-Profile Cases] for [https://ffxtrail.azurewebsites.net/ Trial exhibits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526180427/https://ffxtrail.azurewebsites.net/ |date=May 26, 2022 }} and the list of documents made available by the Circuit Court.
• YouTube playlists (with varying content) via: Law&Crime Network [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoW1SIeAWaWb1IDY_WuLKvZygiJudUBSd link] and Sky News [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG8IrydigQfdKsFYAX-qaHwZD6wCVHplF link]

{{Johnny Depp}}

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