Johnny Depp.Photo: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/POOL/AFP via Getty
Johnny Depp’s attorneys Camille Vasquez and Benjamin Chew say that the actor’s recent legal win against ex-wifeAmber Heardhas no broader impact on domestic violence outside of the “facts in this case.”
During their appearance onGood Morning AmericaWednesday,George Stephanopoulospointed out to the lawyers, “Victims' advocates have argued that the verdict is going to have a chilling effect on domestic-violence victims and it’s a blow tothe #MeToo movement.”
“I think our response to that is that we encourage any victim to come forward. Domestic violence doesn’t have a gender,” Vasquez said.
“So you don’t see this as a setback in any way, shape or form?” Stephanopoulos asked.
“We do not,” said Vasquez. “Webelieve that the verdict speaks for itself; the facts are what they are. The jury made a unanimous decision based on those facts.”
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Last week, a seven-person jury consisting of five men and two women found both Depp, 58, and Heard, 36, liable for defamation, but sided mostly with thePirates of the Caribbeanstar. He was awarded $10.35 million in damages, while theAquamanactress received $2 million.
Listen below to an exclusive interview with Camille Vasquez on our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
Depp and his fans celebrated the verdict, with the actor saying the “jury gave me my life back” in a statement. Heard called thedecision a “setback” for women; her lawyer Elaine Bredehoft said last week that her client plans to appeal the verdict.
Asked whether there’s a message beyond the case in terms of the #MeToo movement, Vasquez also said Wednesday on theTodayshow, “No, frankly we don’t. We’re here to talk about the case that we tried. We encourage all victims to come forward [and] have their day in court, which is exactly what happened in this case.”
Chew also toldSavannah GuthrieonTodaythat the reason he thinks the jury didn’t believe Heard “had a lot to do with accountability.”
“Johnny owned and was candid about his alcoholand drug issues. He was candid about some unfortunate texts that he wrote, and I think it was a sharp contrast to Ms. Heard, who didn’t seem, or at least the jury may have perceived, that shedidn’t take accountability for anything,” Chew explained.
Johnny Depp; Amber Heard.Jim LO SCALZO/POOL/AFP/Getty (2)
On Tuesday,Depp joined TikTokand wrote alongsidea video montageof his recent music touring withJeff Beck, “To all of my most treasured, loyal and unwavering supporters. We’ve been everywhere together, we have seen everything together. We have walked the same road together. We did the right thing together, all because you cared.”
A spokesperson for Heardresponded to Depp’s latest messagein a statement, saying, “As Johnny Depp says he’s ‘moving forward,’ women’s rights are moving backward. The verdict’s message to victims of domestic violence is … be afraid to stand up and speak out.”
Ahead of Chew and Vasquez’s appearances onTodayandGMA, a spokesperson for Heard said in a statement shared with PEOPLE, “It is as unseemly as it is unprofessional that Johnny Depp’s legal team has chosen to do a victory lap for setting back decadesof how women can be treatedin the courtroom. What’s next? A movie deal and merchandising?”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
