Penny Azkart makes the jury's award official with a written order
Judge Penny Azkaret of the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial on Friday entered a judgment order in court records after a brief hearing.
Azkart has written to a jury awards officer to pay Heard $10.35 million to her ex-husband, Depp, for damaging the reputation of the Pirates of the Caribbean star herself in an op-ed as a domestic Describes the abuser as the victim.
She reportedly ordered Depp to pay Heard $2 million, the jury's award on her counterargument that Heard had been defamed by one of Depp's attorneys.
During Friday's hearing, the judge reportedly said that if the Aquaman actress appeals, she must post a bond for the full amount of $10.35 million while the appeal is pending — a common practice. The judge's order states that both awards are subject to interest at 6% per annum.
The order was a formality after the jury announced its verdict on June 1, with Depp largely following a sensational trial in which the couple revealed vague details about their married life.