On June 1, 2022, the civil suit case of John C. Depp, II v. Amber Laura Heard concluded with both sides receiving compensation for defamation towards one another. However, users on social media sites claim this case as a victory for the plaintiff, John (Johnny) C. Depp, II. This case has sparked much conversation online, with the hashtag #JusticeForJohnnyDepp trending on social platforms like Twitter over the course of the trial. Many took sides in this debate, with some claiming Depp never abused Amber Heard in any way, others claiming Depp has had a history of such violence towards women. Another argument, which was used by the plaintiff, was that Ms. Heard was in fact the abuser in this and other relationships, recounting another incident with her ex-girlfriend at an airport. 

     Throughout the trial, Depp is seen avoiding eye contact with the defendant, which Heard claims is “because he’s guilty.” She also made a statement in response to a question asked of her by the opposing counsel. “As far as I know, he cannot look at me,” she retorted to the question of, “He’s kept that promise, hasn’t he?” In the recording, Depp tells Heard that “We won’t have to see each other again. You will not see my eyes again.” The way Heard manipulates her response makes it seem as if Depp is not allowed to look at her, due to legal reasons such as the restraining order she had ordered on him. It is unclear if a restraining order is able to restrict eye contact between individuals, as rules are handled on a case by case basis. 

     Camille Vasquez, Depp’s attorney, set the record straight, “He won’t look at you, right, Ms. Heard?” Throughout this case, Vasquez has received praise for her composure during the trial. She has also received praise for her ability to strike at Heard with well articulated questions, along with her ability to read the emotions of the defendant accordingly. This was most evident during the cross-examination of Heard. During the session, Vasquez pressed multiple facts towards the defendant, including photos that dispute Heard’s claims of being physically abused before events such as the 2014 Met Gala, where Heard testified that the plaintiff hit her so hard the night before, she thought she had a broken nose. Vasquez also pointed out Heard’s reuse of claims of having broken noses and concussions. Memes have surfaced online, replacing Heard’s face in the movie Aquaman with Ms. Vasquez’s. This also sparked the creation of a Change.org petition calling for Vasquez to take Heard’s role in the next film, because “if Camille [Vasquez] is half the actor she is as a lawyer, this will be an absolute blockbuster of a film.” This shows that people are tired of Ms. Heard, and are ready for her to be out of the lime-light. 

     Following the trial, both parties released statements via social media. Depp stated, “Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people, who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed. All in the blink of an eye,” referring to the publishing of Heard’s Op-Ed in the Washington Post. Depp continued, “False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media… And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.” Mr. Depp’s statement is a humbling reminder that in America, we live with a system of innocent until proven guilty, however as a society, we have strayed away from that truth. Depp ends his statement by thanking the Judge, Jury, employees of the court, his family, and most of all his legal team. There was no mention of his ex-wife by name, nor by mention. 

     Conversely, Ms. Heard’s statement puts her unexplainably large ego on full display. She begins her piece by saying, “The disappointment I feel today is beyond words.” She continued to make claims that Depp made “disproportionate power” in their relationship, and that the jury only sided with Depp due to male favoritism. “I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. 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.” This claim insinuates that this verdict ruins the accomplishments of the “Me Too” movement, but that is false. What this trial has done is show that Amber Heard is an egotistical person, who is willing to throw away all shame, in hopes of gaining popularity. She abused the real accomplishments of the “Me Too” movements, and instantly discredited the legitimacy of women who are real victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse. Ms. Heard adds, “…Johnny’s attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK.” She closes her statement with, “I’m sad that I lost this case. But I am sadder that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American – to speak freely and openly.” Ms. Heard, you are absolutely correct, Depp’s attorneys succeeded. They succeeded in exposing the lies you shared online, and in the UK court. And no, you did not lose your right to the Freedom of Speech, you lost your ability to lie about others, about yourself, and to make those lies public in a believable way. You have also lost your chance to set things right, and to ever be taken seriously and creditably again. But most of all, you have lost your ability to ever speak on behalf of women, abuse survivors, and the LGBTQ+ community, again. You have proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you are incapable of telling your own real stories, and that you are more willing to take the real strength away from others by stealing their legitimate abuse recounts and twisting them in a way that best suits you. She addressed Depp by first name, and by mention, twice. 

     The case began nearly two months prior to the verdict, on April 11, 2022. Depp sued Heard on grounds of defamation. The plaintiff recounted three specific events of defamation, against Ms. Heard. The Jury found that two of these claims were defamatory, Depp was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages, and $5 million in punitive damages, which was reduced to $350,000 due to Virginia Legislation. The Defendant, Heard, filed for a counterclaim against Depp, seeking $100 million, alleging three counts of defamation made by Depp’s lawyer to the DailyMail, a British newspaper and website. The Jury found only one count of defamation from Mr. Depp’s lawyer, awarding Heard $2 million.