9 h, mar 24, 2022 y - COURTHOUSE NEWS Judge lets counterclaim move forward in Johnny Depp defamation case
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When an associate of Johnny Depp used the word “hoax” to describe Amber Heard’s assertion that she was abused by the actor during their marriage, was that defamation or simply an opinion?That question will be among the issues decided by a Virginia jury when a massive defamation case involving the two Hollywood stars goes to trial in Fairfax County next month.
On Thursday, Chief Circuit Court Judge Penney S. Azcarate ruled against motions for summary judgment by Depp’s legal team, which would have dampened or obliterated Heard’s defense along with her counterclaim before the trial begins.
“Not content to let a jury decide this lawsuit, Depp used his attorney, Adam Waldman, to orchestrate a false and defamatory smear campaign against Ms. Heard that has included false and defamatory statements to reporters repeatedly accusing Ms. Heard of being a liar and a hoax artist and accusing Ms. Heard of the crime of perjury,” according to a brief filed by Heard’s attorneys.
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9 h, mar 24, 2022 y
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~ 3 years ago