Wednesday 1 June 2022 09:34 PM Amber Heard claims Depp verdict is a 'setback for women' and says freedom of ... trends now Amber Heard called the ruling of $15million in damages for ex-husband Johnny Depp in his defamation trial a 'setback for women' and a loss for freedom of speech. Heard, in a statement following the verdict in Virginia Wednesday, expressed disappointment at a number of consequences from the jury's ruling. 'The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband,' Heard said in a statement after the ruling Wednesday. She added that this was 'a setback' for women 'to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated.' Heard, 36, then blamed star attorney Camille Vasquez and Depp's other legal experts. 'I believe Johnny's attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK.' Amber Heard called the ruling of $15million in damages for ex-husband Johnny Depp in his defamation trial a 'setback for women' and a loss for freedom of speech Depp was awarded $15million in his legal victory, while Heard could only claim a $2million victory on countersuit Heard blamed star attorney Camille Vasquez (pictured) and Depp's other legal experts. She ultimately considers the defeat, despite her own ruling for $2million in a countersuit, a loss for her freedom of speech. 'I'm sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American - to speak freely and openly.' Depp, 58, meanwhile thanked the 'outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world' in his own statement, which he said 'overwhelmed' him. 'I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up. I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media.' Heard was awarded $2million in compensatory damages out of the $100million she was seeking in her countersuit against her ex-husband. She was awarded zero dollars in punitive damages. Despite the jury awarding Depp $15million, the judge reduced the punitive damages to the Virginia maximum of $350,000. Johnny will now only receive $8.35million in total after paying Heard $2million. Depp was not present as he was in the UK on tour with guitar legend Jeff Beck - a source claimed it was due to 'previously scheduled work commitments.' Meanwhile, Heard walked into court wearing a black dress and appeared anxious. After the verdict was read out Heard briefly hugged her lawyers then exited the courtroom. 'Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed,' Depp said. 'False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career,' the Pirates of the Caribbean star added. 'I'm sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American - to speak freely and openly,' Heard added Depp, 58, meanwhile thanked the 'outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world' in his own statement, which he said 'overwhelmed' him 'I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up. I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media' He said that because of the ruling, 'six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.' He said that he pursued this case after 'considerable thought' and 'knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life.' He credited Judge Penney Azcarate, the jury, the staff of the Virginia court and the local sheriffs who 'sacrificed their own time to get to this point, and to my diligent and unwavering legal team who did an extraordinary job in helping me to share the truth.' The axed Fantastic Beasts star then perhaps gave hope to his legion of fans wishing to see him in blockbuster films again: 'The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun.' Depp finished: 'Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes.' All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility