Amber Heard’s legal battle is far from over.
According to Variety, the 36-year-old actress filed to appeal the verdict in her highly publicized defamation trial against ex-husband, Johnny Depp. Heard’s legal team submitted documents Thursday, nearly two months after Heard was ordered to pay Depp more than $10 million in damages.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star sued his ex-wife for $50 million, arguing she harmed his career and reputation with claims of domestic violence. Heard made the allegations in a 2018 op-ed published in the Washington Post. Although the piece never mentioned Depp’s name, a Virginia jury determined Heard had defamed the actor with false statements “made with actual malice.”
Shortly after the verdict was announced, Heard told reporters she intended to file an appeal.
“We believe the court made errors that prevented a just and fair verdict consistent with the First Amendment,” Heard’s spokesperson told Variety on 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 representatives said they believe the court will side with their client and uphold the verdict.
“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,” the spokesperson told the outlet. “We remain confident in our case and that this verdict will stand.”
News of the filing comes about a week after a judge denied Heard’s request for a new trial.
