The Lawsuits Thread

[meeps]

When I saw the Overhaulin' episode - and that was before all this about abuse came out - I remember thinking at the end, when Amber had seen her new old car for the first time, "Come on, woman. Give Johnny a hug. Turn your head and look for a moment - he is reaching for you"
To be fair she did give him a hug some seconds after that. But I bet now, with hindsight, that somebody had to gesture out of camera for her to notice him, where any normal person - and even me, who's not exactly normal - would have hugged and kissed him several times straight away as a thank you.

[Snowcat]

When I saw the Overhaulin' episode - and that was before all this about abuse came out - I remember thinking at the end, when Amber had seen her new old car for the first time, "Come on, woman. Give Johnny a hug. Turn your head and look for a moment - he is reaching for you"
To be fair she did give him a hug some seconds after that. But I bet now, with hindsight, that somebody had to gesture out of camera for her to notice him, where any normal person - and even me, who's not exactly normal - would have hugged and kissed him several times straight away as a thank you.

That was quite a special thing for him to do for her. Yes, women who appreciate a man who does something like this would "slobber" all over him in an emotional display!!

[meeps]

Yes, and even if she didn't feel like it for some reason, (like she'd rather have had a brand new very expensive car) then I feel like saying "ACT, woman! Why don't you? You do act for a living, so do it for once in private, so you'll look like a pretty normal person to all both in the garage and those seeing the show later"

[Snowcat]

Yes, and even if she didn't feel like it for some reason, (like she'd rather have had a brand new very expensive car) then I feel like saying "ACT, woman! Why don't you? You do act for a living, so do it for once in private, so you'll look like a pretty normal person to all both in the garage and those seeing the show later"

Well, at least in my eyes, she cannot act very well either, so what's the use?!

[meeps]

Indeed

[In-too-Depp]

[Judymac]

I hope Johnny's side does not agree to a settlement. This lawsuit is about Johnny's reputation. They called him a wife beater! Johnny needs to send a message to the Sun and any other tabloids, that they can not make accusations when there is no proof. They need to pay for damaging his reputation.

[justintime]

I hope Johnny's side does not agree to a settlement. This lawsuit is about Johnny's reputation. They called him a wife beater! Johnny needs to send a message to the Sun and any other tabloids, that they can not make accusations when there is no proof. They need to pay for damaging his reputation.

I completely agree with you, Judymac. From the very beginning of this entire mess, it has been that hideous “wife beater” phrase that Johnny has found so intensely offensive, and rightly so. It is the SUN’s ruthless labeling of Johnny with those two words that has paved the way for the barrage of tabloids’ cavalier undermining of his career, reputation, and peace of mind with any phraseology they fancied.

Personally, I don’t believe Johnny could ever be adequately compensated for the damage and pain he has suffered - and still endures - as all that phrase implies continues to linger in his “space” to this day. All anyone need do - despite all the sworn evidence that has been released and court documents submitted for public scrutiny - is google “Johnny Depp News” daily and peruse the numerous pages linked to his name to see there is no fear that rivals the reward of clicks.

Settlement cannot be an option. It has not served Johnny well in the past. Too much is left to random guessing and arbitrary interpretation: People still don’t realize he mopped the floor with TMG. The divorce settlement was a horror of “lost” evidence, lies, and still-to-be-revealed hidden agendas. Enough. Johnny deserves the loud, clear, and unequivocal vindication of his peers. And then onward to Virginia.

[RumLover]

I hope Johnny's side does not agree to a settlement. This lawsuit is about Johnny's reputation. They called him a wife beater! Johnny needs to send a message to the Sun and any other tabloids, that they can not make accusations when there is no proof. They need to pay for damaging his reputation.

I think a settlement would be acceptable if the terms include The Sun publishing a prominent retraction, an apology and stating that their source (Heard and/or MeToo's Katherine Kendall) gave false statements and the Sun failed to verify.
Depp asked for only 200,000 UKpounds plus costs so it is not about the money for either side.

[justintime]

I hope Johnny's side does not agree to a settlement. This lawsuit is about Johnny's reputation. They called him a wife beater! Johnny needs to send a message to the Sun and any other tabloids, that they can not make accusations when there is no proof. They need to pay for damaging his reputation.

I think a settlement would be acceptable if the terms include The Sun publishing a prominent retraction, an apology and stating that their source (Heard and/or MeToo's Katherine Kendall) gave false statements and the Sun failed to verify.
Depp asked for only 200,000 UKpounds plus costs so it is not about the money for either side.

With all due respect, RumLover, IMAO that’s a mighty big “if”. Labeling Johnny a “Wife Beater” was not a slip of the pen. It was a career destroying, calculated slur from the hand of an arrogant, despicable bottom feeder, someone who has casually declared he wakes up in the morning asking himself whose life can he destroy that day. Again IMAO, there is no settlement The SUN or its editors can be relied upon to follow through with honorably, much less one they deserve to be offered. I think my stomach would lose it if I were to read how “both sides are satisfied with the agreement.” As for monetary compensation, Johnny’s request may have been a token amount and obviously never the driving force behind his complaint, BUT he sure as hell deserves a number that would shake The SUN (and its likes) to its core. Johnny has chosen to let that be an option for the jury (or the presiding judge). Not that it should make a difference judgement-wise, but The SUN has the coffers to pay up. It must be held accountable on a level that is meaningful to its top brass and to its readership.

[RumLover]

We seem to have different views on what a settlement would involve.
At this point, The Sun's lawyers must realise that their truth defence has problems and that Heard is poor witness who does not want to testify.
If the Sun is ready to concede this (similar to a guilty plea) then Depp can set what the terms of the settlement are.
It doesn't mean the settlement needs to be confidential or that there is a joint statement of happiness. That will be Depp's decision.

News Corp newspapers do not settle easily or quickly but they do sometimes settle.
Sometimes they proceed to court and lose, so I am not saying The Sun will settle.

As examples, the following are statements after the News Corp newspapers settled defamation cases.
pressgazette.co.uk/elton-john-accepts-significant-libel-damages-over-sun-on-sunday-dog-attack-story/
“This allegation is false,” Afia said. “The truth is that the injuries were not serious, and the claimants, far from ignoring the incident, made several inquiries about the girl’s welfare to her father and nanny. Each time it was confirmed the girl was fine.”
She added: “I am pleased to say that the newspaper has now accepted unequivocally that this allegation was false and seriously defamatory.
“As a result, it has agreed now to apologise to Sir Elton John and David Furnish, and to pay significant damages as well as to reimburse their legal costs.”
NGN’s solicitor, Jeffrey Smele, said: “The defendant offers its apology to the claimants, and is pleased that the matter has been amicably resolved.”

pressgazette.co.uk/times-and-express-settle-libel-claims-after-wrongly-suggesting-married-couple-ran-islamist-trojan-horse-plot-at-primary-school/
In a print statement, the Sunday Times said it “did not intend to suggest that Mr Ashraf and Ms Zaman were involved in any concerns raised about the school after July 2013” and that it “inaccurately stated that Mr Ashraf discussed matters” with the new chair of governors, whose appointment was said to have brought matters to a head.

[meeps]

I could live with a settlement, which involved a very public apology from the Sun. But it has to be just as public, if not more, than the original slur was, in my opinion. Preferably on "the front page above the fold" and/or a similar prominent place on their website

[Judymac]

I could live with a settlement, which involved a very public apology from the Sun. But it has to just as public, if not more, than the original slur was, in my opinion. Preferably on "the front page above the fold" and/or a similar prominent place on their website

I am really conflicted on this. I wonder if people would believe an apology? His loyal fans would believe it, but would others? Would the film industry accept this? I would be afraid that some people would think that this is just the Sun's way of resolving this. Also, I do not want to hear an apology that makes it seem like calling him a wife beater was just a bad choice of words. I do not want them to sugar coat this and minimize the malicious aspect of calling someone a wife beater. The Sun's actions were malicious and they need to own that.

[Chocolat]

Imagery is a powerful communication tool. Watching Amber Heard going to court, sitting on the witness stand while answering tough questions is important because the impact of seeing the woman in court photos or video will speak volumes. Having daily media coverage of a trial will alter public opinion tremendously with the emphasis on exposing Amber Heard's hoax. The point being that this type of publicity will work against her just as she used it to work for her. Only this time she's going to court, not with fake bruises but as one who is accused of conspiracy, fraud and physical abuse. Amber Heard has always used visuals, either with photos or video to manipulate public opinion. Therefore, the public should be privileged to watch her squirm and bumble answers to questions directed at her from Adam Waldman and associates who will expose her lies. A well publicized court trial ending with a "guilty as charged" Amber Heard would accomplish more than vindication for Johnny. It will be the beginning of Amber Heard's punishment and the end to her career.

[Ruby Begonia]

Imagining SCAMber Heard, Ratquel Pennington, Ion Toilet and any other co-conspirators handcuffed and in orange jumpsuits. Or at the minimum, heavily fined and required to admit their lies in major public forums. Reminder that during the divorce Ratquel's mother posted a picture of JD relaxed in an armchair holding a bottle of wine and captioned it "Before The Fall." I don't remember where I saw it, but was shocked how so many disrepected JD after all he did for them/their families. Their families were allowed to visit the island.

He needs his name cleared and in such a way that it reaches the tiniest corners of media. I hope this goes to trial and JD wins the initial amount plus major damages. News Corp is currently trying to overturn the court's decision, but Geoffrey Rush won his defamation suit vs The Telegraph and was awarded the initial amount requested plus $2.9 million in damages. I think Johnny has been harmed much more than Geoffrey. The money could help pay his legal expenses, which must now be in the millions.