Numerous social media users sided with actor Johnny Depp after losing his libel case against The Sun. 

They shared messages of support on Twitter via hashtags "#JusticeForJohnnyDepp" and "#JohnnyDeppIsInnocent."

(Photo : Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for ZFF)
"Crock of Gold: A few Rounds with Shane McGowan" Premiere - 16th Zurich Film Festival ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - OCTOBER 02: Johnny Depp attends the "Crock of Gold: A few Rounds with Shane McGowan" premiere during the 16th Zurich Film Festival at Kino Corso on October 02, 2020 in Zurich, Switzerland.

According to an IBT report, a judge ruled on Monday that The Sun, a U.K. tabloid, was justified in calling the actor a "wife-beater" in a 2018 article when it described his former relationship with ex-wife Amber Heard.

However, Depp's fans didn't agree with the verdict. They immediately took to Twitter to express their disappointment. 

 

Others expressed support for Heard, who was also sued for defamation by Depp in a U.S. court following a published op-ed in The Washington Post, wherein the actress was allegedly a survivor of physical and sexual violence.

The Guardian reported that judge Andrew Nicol, who led Depp's case against the U.K tabloid, reached the verdict after concluding that 12 of the 14 incidents of domestic violence reported by Heard occurred.

"Although he has proved the necessary elements of his cause of action in libel, the defendants have shown what they published in the meaning which I have held the words to bear was substantially true," Nicol said in a The Sun report.

The judge added that he reached the conclusions by examining the 14 incidents that the defendants rely upon and the overarching considerations that the claimant submitted, and Nicol should consider.

Meanwhile, Jenny Afia of Schillings, the attorney representing Depp, claims that the decision was "as perverse as it is bewildering." 

Afia said it was troubling that the judge depended on Heard's testimony and disregarded the counter-evidence from medical practitioners, police officers, and other unchallenged witnesses. Depp wants to appeal the decision, as per his lawyer.

How could the court ruling affect Johnny Depp's career?

As per a leading reputation management lawyer, Johnny Depps's losing a libel case against the Sun that labeled the actor a "wife-beater" is immensely damaging to his career. 

According to a Yahoo News report, the court case was the most significant English libel trial of the 21st century. Depp and Heard both shared in-depth personal details regarding their tempestuous relationship.

Depp starred in "Pirate Of The Caribbean" films and appeared in the "Fantastic Beasts" films, which is the third installment of the planned five-film series. 

Warner Bros. has not responded to the court ruling yet. However, Depp is expected to return in the third film as dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.

Disney is working on reviving the "Pirates Of The Caribbean" franchise for its sixth film, but Depp is said not to be involved.

Depp's court battle was "one of the biggest showbiz fails for a long time," said PR guru Mark Borkowski. He also told the PA news agency that the 57-year-old actor had to win this court battle.

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