A judge in Virginia rejected Amber Heard’s request for a new trial following claims that the incorrect juror was chosen during the defamation trial that ended last month. According to Fox News, Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Penney Azcarate maintained that “There is no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing” during the trial.
Heard’s team claimed in a motion submitted last week that a summons had been sent to a 77-year-old man; however, the man’s 52-year-old son, who shares the same name and address, responded in his place and was designated Juror No. 15 on the panel. The Aquaman actress’ team had requested a mistrial based on the same allegation. On June 8, the jury delivered its decision, finding Heard responsible for slandering. Depp in her 2018 opinion piece and ordering her to make a $10 million damage payment.
Judge Azcarate further stated that Juror No. 15 listed his legal name and address but no birth date and added, “The information given on the Jury Questionnaire fits the information Juror Fifteen offered to the Court.” This is related to the mistrial request being denied. The judge has also maintained that no objections were made when the jury list was given to both parties five days before the trial started.
Heard’s motion to overturn the verdict reportedly contained six additional claims that the judge rejected as well. Meanwhile, Depp’s lawyer, Ben Chew, filed a motion on Monday claiming that Heard’s grounds for a mistrial were frivolous.