On Wednesday, a jury announced the verdict that saw Johnny Depp win his libel suit against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp accused Heard of slandering him for referring to him as an abuser in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed.
Nonetheless, a years-long battle between the two concluded with Heard being found guilty on all counts, with Depp also being awarded $15 million. However, lawyer and legal analyst Caroline Polisi stated that this ruling would have long-term effects on women as many in the media reacted to the news.
During an appearance on MSNBC, Polisi mentioned that the verdict in favor of Depp would have a "chilling effect" on women who desire to speak up regarding abuse and the #MeToo movement.
"Without a doubt, this will have a massive, chilling effect on the #MeToo movement, on women speaking out," Polisi said, per Mediaite. "Regardless of who you believe in this case, Amber Heard's statement there is undeniably true."
"They were able to convince the jury that she was lying with respect to every single allegation and so absolutely, without a doubt, this will have far-reaching repercussions."
Heard provided a statement after the verdict that found her guilty, where she said to have "lost" her right to free speech.
"I believe Johnny's attorneys succeeded in getting a jury to overlook the key issue al Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK," Heard said.
"I'm sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American — to speak freely and openly."
No comments:
Post a Comment