Johnny Depp's Reaction To His Legal Win Is Full Of Emotion

Johnny Depp has scored a huge victory in his defamation case against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, and his response to his win is filled with emotion. The trial — which lasted nearly six weeks — saw Depp sue his former lover for $50 million after she authored a Washington Post op-ed, in which she claimed to have been abused. Heard then countersued the "Transcendence" actor, suggesting that he (along with his team) orchestrated a smear campaign in an attempt to sully her accusations.

The trial has seen both actors testify about their seemingly troubled marriage, which ended in 2016 after 15 months. After three days of deliberation, the juror awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages, and $5 million for punitive damages, which was later reduced to $350,000 in accordance with Virginia law (per TMZ). Heard was also awarded $2 million for her countersuit.

And while Depp was missing from court when the verdict was read — as he was in the United Kingdom fulfilling previous commitments — he did release a statement to his fans and supporters.

Johnny Depp is speaking out following his messy defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard after a Virginia jury ruled in his favor. In an emotional statement posted to Instagram, Depp said that Heard's abuse claims negatively impacted his entire life. Not only his life, but those close to him were also "forever changed."

"From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome," Depp wrote. "Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me." He also credited the jury with giving him his "life back" and said he feels "truly humbled." In response to his statement, fans of the actor rushed to show their support for the once-embattled star. "And the truth has set you free," one person commented. Another wrote, "So so happy for you. You told your story – we all believed you."

For her part, Heard has called the verdict a "disappointment." "I am sad I lost this case," Heard wrote in a statement shared to Twitter. She added, "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."

In addition to feeling low over the outcome of the trial, Amber Heard made it known in her statement following the verdict how she felt it would impact a broader situation. She pointed to her disappointment stemming from the fact that despite the evidence her team provided that she felt should have been more significant, it simply "was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway" of Johnny Depp.

Expressing concern to victims of assault in the future, Heard stated the moment was "a setback." She continued, "It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously." As social media shared plenty of perspectives over the official verdict, many agreed with the troubling nature of the case overall.

One person tweeted, "I'm expecting everyone celebrating today to keep that energy when women win their cases against violent men. bc y'all never seem to care." Others, however, critiqued Heard's generalization and noted this case was a personal issue and unique outcome.

As fans know, Johnny Depp did not appear in court when a judge read the verdict; instead, the star was hanging out across the pond. "Due to previously scheduled work commitments made before the trial, Mr. Depp will not be physically present for today's 3 p.m. verdict and will be watching from the United Kingdom," a source told People of the Depp's absence. Over the weekend, he performed with Jeff Beck in England, according to People.

But just because he wasn't there in person doesn't mean he didn't celebrate. After the big win, the star enjoyed a super casual meal with musician Sam Fender. The Daily Mail reported that Depp hit up The Bridge Tavern in Newcastle, where he enjoyed an order of fish and chips and a cold Newcastle Brown Ale. Of course, the meal also included peas and a serving of tartar sauce. What a chill celebration after a long trial.