Amber Heard has officially filed a “notice of intent to appeal” the verdict handed down in ex-husband Johnny Depp’s defamation trial that resulted in a $10 million judgment against her.
The 36-year-old actress’ legal team filed the document in Fairfax County, Virginia, according to records obtained by the New York Post.
A jury found the “Aquaman” star had defamed Depp in an op-ed Heard penned in The Washington Post in 2018 about domestic violence, awarding him a total of $15 million in monetary damages, though it was dropped to $10.35 million due to Virginia law, as The Daily Wire previously reported.
“We believe the court made errors that prevented a just and fair verdict consistent with the First Amendment,” a spokesperson for the actress told People magazine Thursday. “We are therefore appealing the verdict. While we realize today’s filing will ignite the Twitter bonfires, there are steps we need to take to ensure both fairness and justice.”
Depp’s spokesperson responded to the appeal, telling the Post, “The jury listened to the extensive evidence presented during the six week trial and came to a clear and unanimous verdict that the defendant herself defamed Mr. Depp in multiple instances.”
“We remain confident in our case and that this verdict will stand,” the statement added.
Amber Heard filed a notice of appeal on Thursday of the $10 million defamation verdict that a Virginia jury awarded to her ex-husband, Johnny Depp.https://t.co/YdyxXDkSQQ
— Variety (@Variety) July 21, 2022
The latest filing comes after a judge denied Heard’s request for a retrial, claiming an alleged juror error.
“There is no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing,” Virginia Judge Penney Azcarate, who presided over the trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court, shared.
Her team had alleged, “In this case, it appears that Juror No. 15 was not, in fact, the same individual as listed on the jury panel. Ms. Heard’s due process was therefore compromised. Under these circumstances, a mistrial should be declared, and a new trial ordered.”
Depp’s team responded, calling the move “desperate” and “frivolous.”
Related: Johnny Depp Blasts Amber Heard Over Filing On Alleged Error Seeking New Defamation Trial