This is a tweet from someone who obviously didn't watch the trial, isn't interested in looking at a 6-week long trial objectively, and is 100% biased coming in. Here is another instance of such bias on
CNN.
So here is what I believe happened. I'll put it in the context of my prediction, posted on the weekend.
Full comments can be found here.
- Counter claim: I was wrong in my prediction. However, I understand it. Amber did not receive this in her favour because "oh yeah so what she is saying is a hoax, but also isn't a hoax" line that tweet implied. Amber Heard got a favourable verdict in 'one' of the counts. This count was specifically about a comment Depp's lawyer had made about her; and it wasn't a simple comment. It described an elaborate scheme pulled off by Heard. Lawyer said she conspired with friends, talked to lawyers and PR people, roughed up the place, called the cops twice, etc. all for an episode out of a 'gone girl' movie. It makes perfect sense that that whole alleged story, without proof presented in court, was judged to be defamatory. The reasonn I thought counter claim would not be successful, was that I didn't think a clear monetary damage to Amber was proved in court. The jury obviously thought otherwise.
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Depp's Defamation case: All 'yes' across the board. In my original post I outlined many inconsistencies in Amber's story. Photos being submitted twice for two different allegations; stories not lining up; new stories brought forth just for this trial; witness after witness disputing her account and timelines; doctored photos; and for a DV victim sooo terrified of her partner, she sure was aggressive and confrontational in all the tapes released. Additionally, there was direct proof that she was the abuser, while there was no proof that Johnny Depp abused her physically.
She was simply not credible at all. And once you are caught in a lie once, and she was caught on multiple occasions, then I the Jury will think you are lying throughout, unless you provide proof.
- "believe all women": This was a dumb thought any ways. The correct way is to believe 'most' women, because research has proven that most, not all, women are truthful in such allegations. In fact, the problem is not women not being truthful; it is to create an environment where they are able to and willing to step forward. There are, however, plenty of falsified accounts. If this case means 'believe all women' is dead, then so that's a good thing.
-Right wingers and fall out for women: Unfortunately, right wingers will use this as another evidence for their anti-women sentiment. This is the worst part of this trial. A powerful man on trial, millions of people watching live, and worst of all a woman who is an abuser and a liar as the defendant. She had portrayed herself as a leader in the me 2 movement, and that leader has turned out to be a narcissist who has a history of violence. Right wingers will now paint all women as such.
This is the main issue here, not the ruling. Depp by in large won this case, and deservedly so. He is an awful person sure, but evidence did not show he is also a domestic abuser. The main issue here is those on the right using it to advance their anti-woman crusade; and (those on the left, using it to show that they are willing to not be objective just to advance their agenda).
- The me 2 movement: One good thing about this is that Amber was so obviously not credible, and there is a good reason she lost. Had this woman be genuine, with genuine stories, genuine body language etc. and yet she lost, then the me 2 movement would have been dead.
Women, and men, who have been victim of abuse should rejoice in this decision. In fact, If Amber had won, despite her performance on the stands, the movement would have had a great set back.
- My issue with the ruling: The dollars awarded do not make sense. Based on what did Depp's lawyer cost Amber $2 million? I mean why $2 and not ten million? On the other hand, why $10mm for Depp? dollars should be aligned with 'something'. Loss of Pirates 6 for instance, which had a price tag of $20 million.
One issue was that the Jury awarded Johnny $5 million in punitive damages (while awarding Amber nothing). They did not know that Virginia caps that to $350k. I think had they known that, they would've increased that $10mm award.