London’s High Court ruled Monday that Johnny Depp had lost his libel case against News Group Newspapers.
Depp sued the publishers over an April 2018 article which branded him a “wife beater”.
Justice Andre Nichol found that 12 of the 14 alleged incidents of domestic violence relied on by NGN did occur.
Sharing a statement after the ruling, Jenny Afia of Schilling Law, who represented Depp, said the Pirates of the Caribbean actor intends to appeal against the ruling.
Depp’s lawyer said: “This decision is as perverse as it is bewildering.
Johnny Depp’s lawyers said ruling was “flawed” (Image: WireImage)
“Most troubling is the judge’s reliance on the testimony of Amber Heard, and corresponding disregard of the mountain of counter-evidence from police officers, medical practitioners, her own former assistant, other unchallenged witnesses and an array of documentary evidence which completely undermined the allegations, point by point.
“All of this was overlooked. The judgment is so flawed that it would be ridiculous for Mr Depp not to appeal this decision.
Johnny Depp intends to appeal against the ruling (Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
“In the meantime, we hope that in contrast to this case, the ongoing libel proceedings in America are equitable, with both parties providing full disclosure rather than one side strategically cherry picking what evidence can and cannot be relied upon.”
Speaking after the trial, Elaine Charlson Bredehoft, US counsel for Heard, told Metro.co.uk in a statement: “For those of us present for the London High Court trial, this decision and Judgment are not a surprise.
“Johnny Depp intends to appeal against ‘bewildering’ ruling as he loses libel caseVery soon, we will be presenting even more voluminous evidence in the US. We are committed to obtaining Justice for Amber Heard in the US court and defending Ms. Heard’s Right to Free Speech.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
