Johnny Depp declares 'Truth never perishes' as jury finds Amber Heard liable for defamation

• Johnny Depp released a statement following his win in the Amber Heard defamation trial on Wednesday.
• A jury found both Depp and Heard guilty of defamation, but awarded Depp far more in damages.

Johnny Depp said he felt "at peace" after a Virginia jury largely ruled in his favor in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard on Wednesday.

The jury reached a verdict after three days of deliberations, finding that both Heard and Depp defamed each other, but awarding far more in damages to Depp.

Of the three statements that Heard was sued over, the jury found that Heard defamed Depp in each statement, and awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Meanwhile, they found that Depp only defamed Heard with one of the three statements that she sued him over, and awarded him a total of $2 million in compensatory damages, and no punitive damages.

It was a clear net win for Depp, who previously lost a trial in the UK over similar allegations, though that lawsuit was directed at a tabloid that had described the actor as a "wife beater." A judge decided that case and found that Heard's domestic violence allegations against Depp were substantially true.

Depp was not in court for the verdict on Wednesday, since he left the country almost immediately after closing statements to perform a series of concerts in the UK with his band. But he released a statement through a spokesperson shortly after the verdict was read out in court, saying "The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun."

Depp said that he decided to sue Heard in order to bring about the truth, and that he feels "at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that."

"I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world," Depp said. "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 signed off his statement with a Latin phrase "Veritas numquam petit," — or "Truth never perishes."

Heard also released a statement on Wednesday, saying she feels disappointed "beyond words."

She said the jury's decision is a "setback" for women who speak up against violence.

Below is Depp's statement in full:

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

All in the blink of an eye.

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.

And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.

My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought.

From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.

I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world. 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.

I wish to acknowledge the noble work of the Judge, the jurors, the court staff and the Sheriffs who have 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 best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun.

Veritas numquam perit.

Truth never perishes.