Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s trial juror comes forward with new claim

Johnny Depp remains a figure of deep public fascination, years after his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard captivated global audiences. Now, for the first time, one of the jurors from the high-profile case is offering a rare behind-the-scenes account of how the jury reached its decision.

Tom Nugen, a 53-year-old retired defense contractor, shared his personal reflections in the newly released book Hollywood Vampires: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, and the Celebrity Exploitation Machine, authored by Kelly Loudenberg and Makiko Wholey.

The book delves into the cultural and media frenzy surrounding the courtroom drama, and Nugen’s testimony provides new insight into the mindset of the jury that awarded Depp a decisive legal victory. According to Nugen, the jury, composed of five men and two women, was overwhelmingly skeptical of Heard’s claims.

“We didn’t believe a lot of what she was saying. They’re all actors; they can put on a different face if you pay them enough,” he told the authors. He noted that, in his view, the women on the jury were even more critical of Heard’s testimony than the men. “The two women on the jury were tougher on Amber than the men,” he stated.

Nugen explained that inconsistencies in Heard’s version of events ultimately undermined her credibility. “There were so many inconsistencies, so many holes, it was hard for us to believe any of it.” In contrast, he described Johnny Depp’s performance on the witness stand as engaging and compelling.

“For me, I enjoyed [Depp’s] testimony,” he said. “He was pretty entertaining going back and forth with Heard’s lawyers. We were sitting there for eight hours a day, and having him on the stand was a breath of fresh air.”

Interestingly, Nugen revealed that many jurors were unfamiliar with Heard before the trial began. But beyond the celebrities involved, he emphasized a broader concern about how society handles allegations of abuse.

“Not every case of abuse is from the man,” he said. “I agree, in a lot of cases in the past, it probably was the man. But you can’t just jump to that conclusion.” He continued: “For someone like Johnny Depp, he can weather the storm. He’s got money, fame, and connections.

But an ordinary guy like me could lose his job and livelihood. There’s just no way of coming back from that.” The trial concluded on June 1, 2022, with the jury ruling in Depp’s favor on all three defamation claims. Heard won one of her three counterclaims. The case ended with a settlement, and Heard later agreed to pay Depp $1 million.