The Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard defamation trial has been ongoing for six weeks now. To recap, Depp filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife (Heard) over a 2018 op-ed she wrote posted on The Washington Post, in which she referred to herself as a figure of domestic abuse. She referred to the period two years prior in which she filed for divorce and a restraining order against Depp. Depp filed the lawsuit because although he was not directly mentioned, the op-ed still affected him badly and damaged his reputation and career. Depp has denied any claims of domestic abuse. Heard then continued to countersue Depp for $100 million after his lawyer said her allegations were false in three statements in the press.
Depp testification
In April, Depp testified for two days, saying he was there because of Heard’s “heinous” and “disturbing” claims of abuse, and he wanted everyone to know the claims were “not based in any species of truth.” Even though they had disagreements, Depp stated, “Never did I, myself, reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way, nor have I ever struck any woman in my life.”
The Pirates of the Carriabien star stated that Heard seemed like the perfect spouse for the first year to 18 months of their marriage until their fights became more heated and lengthy. However, Depp has admitted to drug and substance abuse and stated that Heard had “grossly embellished” his drug abuse. Depp testified that Heard – who has consistently denied abusing Depp – would violently react physically and verbally berated him. The judge and jury were presented with a picture of Depp with a bruised face and scratches, taken right after another confrontation with Heard by his security guard. Depp finally concluded that his reputation was damaged after the op-ed was published, and he lost many roles.
Depp’s Cross-Examination
Heard’s lawyer, Ben Rottenborn, has consistently stated that Depp is suing Heard specifically for the op-ed, pointing out that Heard never mentioned Depp and that it contained no specifics about their relationship. When Heard claimed Depp abused her, Rottenborn utilized texts and audio recordings to refute Depp’s version of events. He said that Depp’s drunkenness and drug abuse cost him his job.
Heard’s Testification
The “Aquaman” actress was subjected to a two-day direct examination during which she described a whirlwind romance with Depp that turned abusive. She portrayed him as envious and domineering, asking that she play parts that did not involve sex or romance. The duo met while filming “The Rum Diaries,” according to Heard, and began dating during the film’s 2011 media tour.
A tearful Heard detailed many incidences of physical and sexual assault by Depp in graphic detail. She claimed he hit her frequently and that she was afraid for her life on several occasions. She stated that he sexually assaulted her with a liquor bottle during one altercation. Depp allegedly restarted his excessive drinking and drug use, according to Heard. Several images of an injured Heard and expletive-laden emails and text exchanges between the couple were put into evidence by the defense during her testimony. Finally, Heard clarified that the op-ed she penned isn’t about Depp but rather about what transpired after she secured a temporary restraining order against him.
Heard’s Cross-Examination
Depp attorney Camille Vasquez attempted to undercut Heard’s testimony with rapid-fire inquiries. Vasquez cited the lack of medical evidence to back up Heard’s deposition and the fact that Heard continued to use drugs and alcohol while expressing concern about Depp’s addiction. She pushed back hard on Heard’s claim that the op-ed at the center of the lawsuit has nothing to do with Depp.
Kate Moss
On Wednesday, Kate Moss gave a three-minute video deposition in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial, denying a claim that Depp pushed her down a flight of stairs when they were dating in the 1990s.
Depp’s attorney Benjamin Chew asked Moss if anything had happened while they were on holiday at the GoldenEye resort in Jamaica.
“We were leaving the room, and Johnny left the room before I did, and there had been a rainstorm. As I left the room, I slid down the stairs, and I hurt my back. I screamed because I didn’t know what had happened to me, and I was in pain. He came running back to help me, carried me to my room, and got me medical attention,” Moss stated.
Moss stated that Depp had not pushed her down the stairs. Asked if he had pushed her or harmed her in that way at any point in their relationship, Moss said: “No.”
Johnny Depp retakes the Stand
Later in the trial, Depp took the stand to refute some of Heard’s earlier testimony. Heard’s assertion that Depp took a handful of ecstasy tablets during a trip to Australia in 2015 was one of them. Depp admitted to taking the substance, commonly known as MDMA, six or seven times during his life. As Heard testified, his counsel asked him directly if he had ever taken eight to ten tablets at once.“No. I’m pretty sure I’d be dead if that happened. I believe one would die rather quickly,” he added.
Depp’s lawyers inquired about listening to Heard’s charges against him during the trial. “Insane,” Depp replied. “It’s insane to hear heinous accusations of violence, sexual violence, that she’s attributed to me and accused me of. I don’t think anyone enjoys having to split themselves open and tell the truth, but there are times when one simply has to because it’s gotten out of control,” Depp said.
He added that the accusations against him were “ridiculous, humiliating, ludicrous, painful, savage and unimaginably brutal, cruel and all false. All false.”
Depp also denied a claim made by Heard that he had nothing to do with getting her a role in Aquaman. He wasn’t allowed to discuss the details when Heard’s lawyer’s objected. He stated after to conclude that, he “eased their worries’.
Depp denied another claim by Heard’s attorneys that he had reached out to Warner Bros executives to have her fired from the franchise after their marriage collapsed. “I had given my word to them, and I felt responsible that I had to tell them exactly what was going on and that it was going to end up ugly,” Depp said.
Morgan Tremaine
Morgan Tremaine, a former TMZ employee, said that Heard had tipped off the gossip site that she was heading to court (to file a temporary restraining order) and “was going to stop and turn” so that paparazzi could photograph the bruise she claims Depp gave her.
Tremaine fought with Heard’s lawyers. “It earns you your 15 minutes of fame, doesn’t it?” Elaine Bredehodt said of testifying in this case. “I could say the same thing about taking Amber Heard as a client for you,” Tremaine retorted.