Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s domestic drama has the world hooked on to it and fans are eagerly waiting for the lawsuit’s conclusion. However, the $100 million lawsuit doesn't seem to end anytime soon.
After 13 days of testimony, the 58-year-old actor's legal team rested their case after providing multiple witnesses to support their claim that the 36-year-old actress attempted to ruin his career by calling herself a victim of abuse.
Judge Penny Azcarate, after hearing arguments from both sides, denied the request by Heard's legal team to dismiss the lawsuit.
The lawsuit comes in the wake of Amber Heard’s December 2018’s Washington Post op-ed she wrote.
Out of the three parts of the article that Depp is suing over, Judge Penney Azcarate denied the motion to strike for parts two and three but is taking the first under advisement.
Judge Azcarate said, "Last night, I reviewed all the evidence submitted in this matter. As to the second and third alleged defamatory statements... I view the evidence in light most favourable to the plaintiff."
She continued, "There is evidence in the case that a jury could weigh that the statements were made by the defendant, that the statements were about the plaintiff, that the statement was published, that the statement is false and the defendant made the statement knowing it to be false or the defendant made it so recklessly as to amount to a willful disregard of the truth."
"Over the last 3.5 weeks, we've seen and heard from nearly 30 witnesses who have attested to and supported Mr Depp's claims that Ms Heard defamed him in her 2018 op-ed. Ms Heard's reckless op-ed, in turn, caused him to lose a $22.5 million deal with Disney for Pirates of the Caribbean 6, resulting in an overall loss of earnings of over $40 million since December 18, 2018," a spokesperson for Depp told the media.
Depp was elated with the ruling and gave his attorney, Benjamin Chew, a hug, and Twitter users loved the moment.
One tweet said, "I just cried watching Johnny hug Ben Chew. That's right Ms. Heard. A 5th dismissal attempt has been denied. #JusticeforJohnnyDepp." Another read, "I literally clapped in a quiet library when they denied the strike I'm so happy. The way Johnny's lawyer hugged him got me tearing up #JusticeForJohnny #DeppVsHeard."
Amber Heard has been arrested for domestic violence. So, Dr Hughes just lied under oath when she said Amber Heard never showed these behaviours before Johnny, and all her problems came after him! #DeppvHeard #MenToo #JusticeForJohnnyDepp pic.twitter.com/OOBYRDKSEO
— Princess Consuela Bananahammock (@PrinConsuella_) May 3, 2022
I literally clap in a quiet library when they denied the strike I’m so happy. The way Johnny lawyer hug him got me tearing up #JusticeForJohnny #DeppVsHeard
— Alex💴🌸 ♡ Hange cooking (@alexkato30) May 3, 2022
JOHNNY GIVING BEN A TIGHT HUG AS OPPOSITION'S MOTION WAS DENIED. MY FAV BROMANCE. 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍#JohnnyDepp
— 🌻 (@seekinglight__) May 3, 2022
That little hug between Johnny & Ben — they are all a legit team. Love to see it. #JusticeForJohnnyDepp
— s a r a ❁ (@SaraLiz23) May 3, 2022
Image Source: Instagram