Amber Heard's Bid for Johnny Depp Defamation Retrial Denied

Amber Heard isn't getting a retrial in her defamation case against her former husband, Johnny Depp.

Judge Penney Azcarate, who oversaw the six-week high-profiled case, denied the actress's attempt to toss the verdict and $10.35 million judgment.

Lawyers for the "Aquaman" actress, 36, were seeking a mistrial on multiple grounds. One argument they made was that there was an apparent case of mistaken identity with Juror 15 in that the wrong person from a household reported to the court.

In her order on Wednesday, the judge said that the juror filled out the jury questionnaire properly and was questioned by both sides.

"The parties also questioned the jury panel for a full day and informed the Court that the jury panel was acceptable, Therefore, due process was guaranteed and provided to all parties in this litigation ... there is no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing." ," Azcarate wrote.

The judge added, "Defendant does not allege Juror 15's inclusion on the jury prejudiced her in any way. The juror was vetted, sat for the entire jury, deliberated, and reached a verdict. The only evidence before this Court is that this juror and all jurors followed their oaths, the Court’s instructions, and orders. This Court is bound by the competent decision of the jury."

Heard has yet to speak out about the latest legal blow.

Depp is suing Heard for $50 million over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed she wrote in which she claimed she suffered physical and sexual abuse. She described herself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse”.

Despite she didn't name Depp, the jury agreed it was reasonably inferred to be the acclaimed actor. Depp specifically sued over three parts he said were defamatory and killed his career.

Depp won on all three with the jury ruling that Heard was never abused — emotionally or physically — by the actor even once. He was awarded $15 million, but due to Virginia state law, it nets out at $10.35 million. Heard countersued Depp for $100 million over statements the actor's lawyer made to the press. She won one out of the three and was awarded $2 million in damages.