Amber Heard
Jade Small
Jade Small
July 19, 2022 ·  3 min read

Judge Denies Amber Heard’s Request For Mistrial In Johnny Depp Case

At this point, the world is very aware of the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation case. The two were seen and heard retelling tales of their relationship, airing all of their experience for everyone to hear. The jury found favor in Depp’s case, and he was awarded $10 million in damages. This was to be paid over by Miss Heard, who was given $2 million. At the beginning of this month, Heard filed for a motion in court, which the judge denied.

Amber Heard filed a motion

The case between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp started when Amber made a statement in an article for the Washington Post. The statement called herself: “A public figure representing domestic abuse”. It did not mention Depp’s name but the implication remained.

Depp sued Amber for $50 million, but was awarded $10 million. Whereas, Amber counter-sued Depp for $100 million, and was awarded $2 million. A couple of weeks ago, she went back to court to file for motion to “set aside” Johnny’s verdict. As well as having a mistrial approved. This, according to the Legal Information Institute, a mistrial is: “1) a jury is unable to reach a verdict and there must be a new trial with a new jury. 2) there is a serious procedural error or misconduct that would result in an unfair trial, and the judge adjourns the case without a decision on the merits and awards a new trial”.

Read: Khloé Kardashian slammed for old photo as ‘pimp’ with black women on leashes

The judge’s decision

Amber and her lawyer had a few reasons behind seeking a mistrial. One of them was that there was an apparent mistake with one of the members of the jury. In short, a 77-year-old man was called up to do his jury duty for the case. But, his son, who lives at the same address and has the same name as his father, took his place.

In conclusion, Judge Penney Azcarate did not approve of their claim over the identity issue. So, the mistrial was denied. The report said: “The juror was vetted, sat for the entire jury, deliberated, and reached a verdict. The 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.”

Furthermore, Amber’s lawyers, Elaine Bredehoft and Benjamin Rottenborn, said that the jury failed to base their decision n the Op-Ed in the Washington Post article. According to her, the jury was too focused on how Depp’s career was damaged. Elaine said: “The jury’s dueling verdicts are inconsistent and irreconcilable.”

More rulings from Azcarates

Heard’s legal team also claimed that the identity mistake was of insidious intent. In short, Elaine said: “The Court cannot assume, as Mr. Depp asks it to, that Juror 15’s apparently improper service was an innocent mistake. Therefore, It could have been an intentional attempt to serve on the jury of a high-profile case.”

Additionally, the judge ordered for a medical examination to be done on Mr. Depp and Miss Heard independently. So, this meant all the court documents will be unsealed, save for the few that contain personal details. Azcarate said: “In this matter, both litigants sued one another. Thereby, opening themselves up to the public forum of a jury trial. Court records are public information.”

Keep Reading: Judge rules Subway can be sued over claims that its tuna sandwiches contain other fish species or animal products

Sources

  1. Judge Denies Amber Heard’s Request For Mistrial In Johnny Depp Case.Huffpost. Matthew Barakat and Denise Lavoie. July 13, 2022.
  2. Jury sides with Johnny Depp in libel case, awards him $10M.APnews. Denise Lavoie. June 2, 2022
  3. Judge rejects Amber Heard motion for mistrial in Johnny Depp case.Washington Post. Sonia Rao. July 13, 2022