As the defamation trial between Johhny Depp and Amber Heard comes to a close, Depp took to the stand once again…
Now, we all know Johnny Depp has been through a lot these past couple of years…
The Kentucky-born actor, who has been renowned in Hollywood since the 1990s, has been embroiled in a highly publicized domestic abuse scandal with his ex-girlfriend, Amber Heard, for the last 5 years.
At first, this coupling seemed to be at the start of a promising relationship.
After meeting on the set of The Rum Diary in 2011, the actor started dating Texan actress and model, Amber Heard, shortly after calling it quits with his long-term partner, Vanessa Paradis.
They announced their engagement in 2014…
And, not ones to waste any time, they hastily tied the knot just one year later in February 2015.
However, it was here when things started to go a little ship-shaped.
Their honeymoon period was rather short-lived as, just months after their marriage, Depp reportedly suffered a hand injury as a result of “smashing bottles and windows” during a heated argument with his wife.
For the next year, various reports of abuse between the pair continued to surface…
So it came as no shock when Heard filed for divorce in March 2016, just fifteen months after the couple had initially exchanged their “I do”s.
At first, the divorce seemed unsuspicious…
Many news outlets reported that Heard had cited “irreconcilable differences” while filing the divorce petition.
But, only a few months into their separation…
Heard filed a restraining order against Depp, claiming that he had previously assaulted her.
It was a big allegation to make…
So people were confused when Heard retracted her allegations just one day before the hearing was due to be held.
But this didn’t stop the world from turning against Depp.
Heard had alleged that the actor had hit her on several occasions, and even provided video footage of him flinging a glass of wine across the room in a fit of rage.
And, in 2018, the actress penned an article for The Washington Post where she opened up about her experience with domestic abuse and violence.
Though she didn’t explicitly name Depp in her op-ed, she did allude to the time period when, “two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out.”
There was an outpour of support for Heard…
Who was even made the American Civil Liberties Union’s “Ambassador for Women’s Issues.”
And, despite profusely denying all the allegations against him…
Depp found his career taking a hit as a result of the ongoing scandal.
Fewer and fewer directors were hiring Depp for roles…
And his appearance in J.K Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts sequel, The Crimes of Grindelwald, was heavily criticized.
And, in 2018, he was dropped from his iconic role as Captain Jack Sparrow.
In a career-shattering announcement just 4 days after Heard’s damning article, Disney announced that the actor would no longer be a part of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Though they didn’t directly cite Heard’s abuse allegations…
It was widely assumed that Disney, who has earned over $4.5 billion at the box office from the Pirates franchise, was trying to distance themselves from the actor and the scandal surrounding him.
But then, there was a sudden change in events.
Depp filed a $50-million defamation case against Heard and presented evidence that he was the one on the receiving end of the abuse, not the other way around.
Shockingly, the actor alleged that he was the victim all along.
Depp’s defamation lawsuit read: “The op-ed [Heard’s article] depended on the central premise that Ms. Heard was a domestic abuse victim and that Mr. Depp perpetrated domestic violence against her.”
The lawsuit also stated that all of Heard’s claims were “categorically and demonstrably false”…
And listed down incidents of Heard’s alleged abuse since the start of their marriage, including punching and kicking, as well as staging her attacks.
The allegations are difficult to read.
“She hit, punched, and kicked me. She also repeatedly and frequently threw objects into my body and head, including heavy bottles, soda cans, burning candles, television remote controls, and paint thinner cans, which severely injured me.” His lawsuit read.
And, to tarnish the actress’ reputation and credibility even further…
Audio obtained by the Daily Mail was released that heard her admitting to attacking Depp.
As per the audio clip, she could also be heard taunting him…
“You are such a baby. Grow the f*** up, Johnny. You poke an animal enough, it is eventually, it doesn’t matter how friendly it is, it’s not cool,” Heard can be heard saying.
The case was grueling…
Depp then went to court for his libel case against The Sun newspaper – whom he is suing over a 2018 article in which he was described as a “wife-beater.”
The pair were in court as part of the 3-week long trial.
While in court, both parties played pretty dirty, revealing compromising photographs of each other which have blown everything out of the water, yet again. And of course with the evidence came more allegations.
Of course, this massive loss was terrible for the actor’s name…
But he isn’t giving up his fight.
Depp and his legal team were determined to prove that the pictures Heard shared in the case were forged…
To make it look like he was repeatedly abusing her, when in fact, according to Depp it was the other way around.
As per Page Six, lawyers working on the case claim that Heard altered photos making her appear to have 2 black eyes…
Alleging she was attacked by him in 2015.
Depp’s lawyer, Benjamin Chew claimed: “Ms. Heard’s counsel has repeatedly used these phony photographs at deposition.”
He also shared that he believes the LA Police Department “disavowed the photographs” that were previously given to the court and “did not depict what they saw.”
Chew revealed that the LAPD “found no injury upon Ms. Heard and no disruption to the penthouses” upon inspection…
“Ms. Heard and her friends then fabricated photos that she used to obtain an ex parte TRO [temporary restraining order] and a $7 million divorce settlement which Ms. Heard falsely testified in London she gave to the ACLU and, more scandalously, to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles; sick children with cancer,” he added.
Chew concluded that someone “doctored those photographs.”
“So, Ms. Heard or someone on her behalf doctored those photographs three years later. When that came up in her testimony in London, Ms. Heard falsely denied it. In short, Your Honour, without forensic imaging Mr Neumeister cannot properly assess or verify Ms. Heard’s data,” Chew added.
Since Chew exposed Heard’s alleged false claims, the court has granted Depp and his lawyers access to her phone records…
They will also be analyzed by Brian Neumeister, who is a tech expert.
And, we’ve seen some huge celebrity names in the defamation case between the two actors.
There are many more who have been dragged into the defamation case.
Paul Bettany will be a witness for Depp.
And, according to Cinemablend, Heard’s legal team will use Bettany’s texts with Depp against them, displaying violent language targeted at Heard.
Heard’s exhibit list includes names we’re all familiar with…
There will be text messages and email conversations between Heard, Jason Momoa, and James Wan, as per the news outlet.
There are also emails logged from author JK Rowling and guitarist Jack White.
Who else is involved?
Ellen Barkin, an American actress, will be on Heard’s witness list, and she has spoken up about Heard’s allegations in the past.
“Amber Heard was never enough of a victim,” she wrote.
“And we never will be… Unless we’re dead,” she continued.
Depp is suing Heard for defamation, claiming that his reputation has been tarnished because of the things she has said during their battle.
And Heard is countersuing him, which is why so many big names have been dragged into the case, as well.
Now, since the case began, a lot of people have taken to the stand…
And on April 19th, it was Depp’s turn.
Depp took to the stand at Fairfax County courthouse where he described Heard’s claims as “heinous and disturbing,” LADbible reports.
He said that her allegations were “criminal acts against me that were not based in any species of truth.”
Depp went on to deny striking Heard and any woman in his life.
“Never did I myself reach the point of striking Miss Heard in any way, nor have I ever struck any woman in my life,” he told the court. “Since I knew there was no truth to it whatsoever, I felt it my responsibility to stand up, not only for myself in that instance, but stand up for my children.”
Depp then further detailed the effect that the allegations had on his children.
“I thought it was diabolical that my children would have to go to school and have their friends or people in the school approach them with the infamous People Magazine cover with Miss Heard with a dark bruise on her face,” he said.
Describing himself as a “very private person,” the actor said that for him “to come up here and sit before you all and spill the truth is quite exposing, and it’s unfortunate that it’s not only exposing for myself, it’s exposing for my family, it’s exposing for Miss Heard, it never had to go in this direction.”
He also added that his goal is “the truth” and that he isn’t embarrassed because “I know I’m doing the right thing.”
Depp has since returned to the stand where he has revealed more about his time spent with his ex-wife, Amber Heard.
There have been admissions about his severed finger, audio recordings of fights, and text messages revealing horrific desires.
After thirteen days, Depp’s legal team rested their case on May 3rd.
However, in a shocking turn of events, Heards legal team tried to have the case dismissed.
On May 3rd, Heard’s legal team argued for the case to be dismissed.
According to the Independent, the dismissal was argued on the grounds that Depp’s legal team had not proven malice and that headline for The Washington Post op-ed was not written by Heard.
But, despite the attempts for dismissal, it was denied.
The outlet reports that Judge Penney Azcarate denied Heard’s attempt to dismiss the case striking 2 motions while keeping one under advisement.
Subsequently, the trial continued, and on May 4th, it was Heard’s time to take to the stand for the first time.
Heard took to the stand to give detail about the alleged abuse where she recalled a number of alleged incidents of violence.
Heard also recalled an alleged incident between Depp and her sister, Whitney.
And during one part of Heard’s recall of the alleged fight she mentioned Kate Moss, a point that Depp’s legal team seemed very pleased about…
Discussing an alleged incident between her sister and Depp from 2015, Heard said Whitney was next to a staircase after having thrown herself “in the line of fire,” Marie Claire reports.
“She was trying to get Johnny to stop,” she said, according to the outlet. “Her back was to the staircase, and Johnny swings at her. I don’t hesitate and wait.”
Heard continued to say: “I instantly think of Kate Moss and stairs.”
Heard’s mention of “Kate Moss and stairs” refers to the rumor that Depp once pushed Kate Moss down the stairs.
Depp and Moss famously dated for several years during the ’90’s.
However, after Heard mentioned Kate Moss, Depp’s lawyers appeared to celebrate.
A video has gone viral showing Depp’s attorney, Ben Chew, turn to his colleagues, and fist pump before turning back and whispering to Depp after Heard mentioned Moss.
And the reason they celebrated is that this could actually help their case.
Due to Moss being brought up, Depp’s legal team was able to debunk the rumor he pushed the model down the stairs.
Nicole Haff, working at Romano Law, told the Daily Mail that Moss testifying could potentially break Heard’s case.
If Moss denies being pushed by Depp, Haff claimed that it could make the Jury “bring Heard’s testimony into question.” This can mean they may not trust what she has said at all.
“When someone brings up something in their examination and you feel it’s wrong, you can basically call another witness to impeach that testimony,” Haff said.
“By bringing Kate Moss on to testify, she can obviously disprove Heard’s claim or bring Heard’s testimony into question, which generally has a big effect on the jury – if they can’t trust what she says,” she continued.
“She’s going to probably speak well of Johnny Depp.
“That’s going to paint the picture of a loving and doting partner rather than an abusive partner.
“I’m guessing she’s going to speak about their relationship in a loving way, and it’s going to portray him to be a good guy. I would say it’s a misstep on Heard’s part. I would say this is a mistake because it is going to open the door for Moss to come in to testify, and it’s believed she’s going to give very favorable testimony for Depp,” she said.
The time finally came for her to testify.
Moss took to the stand and Depp seemed pretty happy about it…
Moss testified clearing up the rumors that Depp had pushed her down stairs while they were dating.
When asked about the incident, Moss told the court that Depp did not push or kick her down the stairs.
“We were leaving the room, and Johnny left the room before I did and there had been a rainstorm and as I left the room, I slid down the stairs and I hurt my back,” Moss said.
“And I screamed because I didn’t know what had happened to me and I was in pain,” she continued. “And he came running back to help me and carried me to my room and got me medical attention.”
Moss was then asked whether Depp had ever pushed her down the stairs to which she responded: “No. He never pushed me, kicked me, or threw me down any stairs.”
And it appeared that Depp was happy with Moss’ testimony…
According to LADbible, Depp could be seen smiling once Moss’ testimony concluded.
Depp took to the stand once again.
In his testimony, he discussed his honeymoon with Heard on the Orient Express.
“There were times when it was very agreeable, very nice and then there were times when something had become dissatisfactory for her and she would start the rant, the blooming of a fight would be on deck there,” he said, as per toofab.
“And at one point … I don’t remember it lasting long at all, I just remember I took a pretty good shot to the face, to the eye, so I had a bit of a shiner, but it all ended and we’d go to dinner and it was all fine.”
He admitted, “I don’t recall,” whether Heard apologized after the incident. And felt “a little bit bugged out” after “Ms. Heard hit me.”
Depp was then asked about the restraining order Heard filed back in 2016, which he said: “changed everything.”
About her claims made against him, Depp said: “It’s insane to hear heinous accusations of violence, s***** violence that she’s attributed to me, that she’s accused me of. I don’t think anyone enjoys having to split themselves open and tell the truth but there are times when one just simply has to because it’s gotten out of control.”
The actor also said that her testimony against him was ‘savage.’
And people had a lot to say about his second time testifying.
“Johnny Depp’s testimony in the rebuttal today – that he had never s******* or physically assaulted ANYONE in his life & the pain of living with Amber Heard’s false accusations – came across genuine/authentic, sincere, & heartfelt. It was powerful. And sad,” one user said.
“I don’t understand why some here are saying that #JohnnyDepp testimony today was not good… I think he did very well… He managed to handle Rottenborn’s nastiness and to speak up…” another wrote.
Others didn’t agree…
“Is Johnny Depp high on drugs on the witness stand today? His testimony is painful to listen to, omg. #JohnnyDepptrial,” someone wrote.
Another noted Heard’s age when she first met Depp.
“I just keep thinking about how Amber was 26 when she met and started dating Johnny Depp. Your life is really supposed to just be starting then. And then she got wrapped up with this guy and it completely changed her life. #IStandWithAmberHeard bc her story makes me sad,” they wrote.
In his testimony, Depp told the Jury how he has felt listening to Heard’s account of details.
“Horrible. Ridiculous. Humiliating. Ludicrous. Painful. Savage. Unimaginably brutal. Cruel. And all false. All false,” he said.
According to The New York Post, he said that “no human being is perfect.”
“No human being is perfect, certainly not, but I have never in my life committed sexual battery, physical abuse. No matter what happens, I did get here and I did tell the truth, and I have spoken up for what I’ve been carrying on my back reluctantly for six years,” he said.
The trial continues…