Commentary: No matter how the Heard/Depp trial ends, defamation lawsuits against accusers are here to stay
After weeks of testimony in a Virginia courtroom, the much-watched defamation trial of Johnny Depp’s claim against Amber Heard is nearing its end. At the heart of the case is Depp’s contention that his reputation was damaged to the tune of $50 million by a 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which Heard described herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse” — a characterization Depp insists is false. (Heard has filed a $100 million counterclaim.)
It’s impossible to predict what the jury will decide. Although
