Johnny Depp rejects Amber Heard’s ‘frivolous’ request for mistrial

Lawyers for Johnny Depp have rejected the mistrial filing by Amber Heard, the actor’s ex-wife.

Depp’s suit against the actress went to a trial on April 11 and ended on June 1 with the actor’s victory.

He was awarded $15 million, comprising $10 million in compensation and $5 million in punitive damages.

Heard, on the other hand, was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages but nothing for punitive damages.

Heard had registered her disappointment with the verdict which she said was “a setback for women”.

She had requested a new trial, seeking the dismissal of Depp’s winning verdict over “improper jury service.”

The actress had also argued that the ruling had poor legal reasoning and excessively awarded damages.

According to Deadline, a reply from Depp to Fairfax County in Virginia asked the court to maintain the decision.

His lawyers insisted that the court should also reject Heard’s “frivolous” and “baseless contention” over his more than $10 million damages.

“Following a six-week jury trial, a jury of Ms. Heard’s peers rendered a verdict against her in virtually all respects,” a memorandum from Depp’s lawyer filed in opposition from Brown Rudnick, the actor’s attorneys, read in part.

“Though understandably displeased with the outcome of the trial, Ms. Heard has identified no legitimate basis to set aside in any respect the jury’s decision.

“Virginia law is clear that a verdict is not to be set aside unless it is plainly wrong or without evidence to support it.”

“Here, the verdict was well supported by the overwhelming evidence, consistent with the law, and should not be set aside. Mr. Depp respectfully submits that the Court should deny Ms. Heard’s Post-Trial Motions, which verge into the frivolous.”