Legal experts have weighed in on Johnny Depp’s chance of winning the defamation case against Amber Heard.
This comes as the trial has come to a close and we await the decision of the Jury.
Scroll on to find out more…
Now, Johnny Depp might finally be approaching the end of the long road to the “truth” he’s so desperately been fighting for over the last few 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 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.
But, it’s not the first time that some of the names have been a part of the escalating battle.
Two of the celebrities involved, have in fact been accused of being tangled up in an affair with Heard in the past…
While she was with Depp.
The celebrities called to testify, who were accused of affairs with the Aquaman actress, are James Franco and Elon Musk.
Both celebrity figures will be testifying for Amber Heard.
But, they’re not the only huge Hollywood names in the lawsuit.
There are many more who have been dragged into the defamation case, too.
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 where he discussed standing up for his children and denied striking Heard in any way.
And people rallied in support of the actor.
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.”
More was then revealed 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.
On his fourth and final day on the stand on April 25, Depp was first questioned by his own lawyer and then further cross-examined by Heard’s legal team.
And after being accused by Heard’s legal team, he mentioned her role in Aquaman.
Heard’s legal team questioned Depp about text messages previously sent between Depp and Heard which saw him tell Heard to take “no meetings” or “movies.”
According to UNILAD, the messages saw Heard write: “I’m at a coffee meeting now, will be home soon.”
Responding to Heard, Depp wrote: “No goddamn meetings. No movies. Why? Why do you deviate from our agreement? What species of meeting? F*** it. Just tell me when you get home.”
Heard’s attorney read the message exchange to the court while implying that Depp didn’t want Heard to take the meeting spoke about in the messages.
The attorney asked Depp: “You didn’t want her to take the meeting that she was taking that day, correct?”
However, Depp argued against the attorney as he claimed it wasn’t about “her doing films,” but simply about an agreement they had.
“It seems as though we had an agreement to do something together,” he said the outlet reports. “I’m actually asking what species of meeting.”
Depp continued to say that it was “not necessarily an angry text,” just one that questions “why do you deviate from our agreement.”
Depp then had a question to ask the attorney as he said: “It’s not about her doing films. How do you think she got Aquaman, sir?”
Heard starred in Aquaman back in 2018.
Heard then took to the stand again.
She brought up how the trial with Depp affected not only her career but her mental health too.
Heard could be seen crying as she explained that she has been receiving death threats.
Allegedly receiving hundreds daily from Depp fans who don’t agree with what she’s been saying.
One person took to Facebook to respond to her recent outburst to say:
“Then she should have never lied about all this. She did this to herself. An gets what she deserves.”
Another commented: “If she is so threatened and scared why is she always smiling and laughing through this trial.”
Heard also bashed Depp saying that he wasn’t doing anything to stop the abuse she’s been receiving from his fans.
She claims she’s been “harassed, humiliated, threatened every single day” since the defamation trial began.
“People want to kill me and they tell me so every day,” Heard said.
“People want to put my baby in the microwave.”
Depp’s lawyer, Camile Vasquez, then spoke of Heard’s alleged lies during the cross-examination.
Vasquez has said that Heard’s “lies have been exposed to the world.”
Vasquez looked on at Heard as she questioned her testimony.
“Your lies have been exposed to the world multiple times?” Vasquez asked, as per the Daily Mail.
“I haven’t lied about anything,” Heard responded, looking at the Jury.
“When you told this jury you punched Mr. Depp because you thought of Mr. Depp pushing Kate Moss down the stairs, you didn’t expect Miss Moss to testify that never happened?” Vasquez then grilled Heard, for the actress to shoot back and say that she knew that people would “come out of the woodwork” to support the actor.
“Incorrect, I knew how many people will come out of the woodwork to support Johnny,” she said.
“Everybody who was around in the 90s and early aughts knew that rumor. I had heard that rumor from multiple people. Of course, that’s what flashed through my head when my violent husband not only swung for me but all of a sudden swung for my sister.
“Of course, I thought of that. I did not expect her to show up or expect her to show up, it did not matter, it did not change what I thought on the stairs when I thought he was going to kill my sister,” she continued.
But, Vasquez, who many people have praised as being a “fantastic” lawyer, didn’t stop there. She asked Heard why so many other people came to testify on behalf of Depp.
People who testified on behalf of Depp included; Isaac Baruch, Morgan Knight, LAPD officers Tyler Hadden and William Gatlin, Shannon Curry, Kate Moss, and others.
“I know how many people will come out and say whatever for him. That’s his power. That’s why I wrote that op-ed. He is a very powerful man and people love currying favor with powerful men,” Heard said of the people who testified against her allegations.
She also said that people would “say a lot of things to be involved in the Johnny Depp show.”
And in the final few days, before the trial came to an end, Heard’s lawyer’s tried to prove that Depp is a violent man.
They brought up a comment he allegedly made to Premiere magazine, in 1995, in which they claim Depp said: “I have a lot of love in me and a lot of anger inside me as well. If I love somebody, then I’m gonna love ’em. If I’m angry and I’ve got to lash out or hit somebody, I’m going to do it. And I don’t care what the repercussions are. Anger. Doesn’t pay rent. It’s gotta go. It’s gotta be evicted.”
At first, Depp dismissed the comment, then said “he might have said that in reference to paparazzi.”
Although he “did not confirm whether he did, in fact, make that statement,” as per Insider.
People online were shocked by Heard’s legal team’s comments…
One tweeted: “This is unbelievable… that they would stoop this low!”
Another commented: “Digging up things he said 27 yrs ago is really grasping for straws. And it has nothing to do with anything regarding this trial.”
However, it doesn’t look like their comments have bothered Depp too much as he was spotted at a UK concert just days after the closing statements were made.
Depp made a surprise appearance at Jeff Beck’s concert, where he strolled on stage holding his guitar.
Depp began working with Beck at the start of lockdown, and the pair even recorded a cover of John Lennon’s track ‘Isolation’ back in 2020.
So when Depp appeared on stage with Beck in Sheffield UK, fans were overjoyed.
One Twitter user wrote: “Nice to see him out of a suit, doing what he loves to do, after that long trial.”
Another commented: “This is great news. Music is the best therapy after all this trial has caused him to endure. You can’t get any better than Jeff Beck by your side.”
“I’m so proud of this man. I really wish I could meet him in person, hug him, give him a pat on his back, and say “Welcome back. You have a new life now. And a hero who gives shining hope to the male victims of domestic violence,” a third wrote.
Another commented on what Heard must be feeling right now…
“I’m sure AH is watching from some dark hole and is p*ssed at how happy he looks and that he is able to continue to do what he loves. Even after she tried to take him down. Thank you for sharing.”
You can watch a clip of his performance here.
But, that’s not the only time we’ve seen Depp doing what he loves…
Because he appeared on stage for a second time to surprise his fans.
This came just a day after his first performance.
While he waits for a verdict, it seems as though he’s decompressing by moving to the music in the UK.
He was recorded playing his electric guitar and singing in his unannounced appearance, and people were loving it.
As Depp walked out on stage, Beck said: “He came knocking on my dressing room door about five years ago and we haven’t stopped laughing since. We kept it quiet for obvious reasons, but here he is,” as per LADbible.
But, as the verdict nears, people have been criticizing Depp for his decision to ‘go on tour’.
Scroll on to see what people are saying…
One person took to Twitter to say that Depp doesn’t seem traumatized…
“Yeah, performing two nights in a row definitely shows that Depp is traumatized by this trial. definitely. not. #IStandWithAmberHeard,” they wrote.
Another person compared Heard and Depp to one another…
“Johnny’s lawyer says that he was ruined by AH and that she cut off his finger, but now after being in “sad” court he was on stage, just fine? But if AH went to Coachella, that was ‘evidence’ Camille made the jury actually watch? He can go to concerts but not Amber? #Remoralogic,” they said.
“Johnny Depp, a self-proclaimed spokesperson for beaten men, is currently on tour with Jeff Beck in the UK. That same JD who was also whining about being canceled. While Amber Heard can’t even attend an event without having a panic attack. THINK ABOUT IT. #IStandWithAmberHeard,” another social media user claimed.
“Johnny Depp on his PR campaign trail in the same country where the High Court ruled him a wife-beater and found him to be a r*pist. But please tell me again how Amber Heard’s op-ed wasn’t true. #IStandWithAmberHeard,” somebody else wrote.
“Johnny can go to England to be safe and not get harassed or targeted by anyone yet Amber isn’t even safe in her own home because some of his deranged fangirls are turning up anear her home to take pictures of it and intimidate her. #IStandWithAmberHeard” wrote another person.
And as many people used the #IStandWithAmberHeard hashtag to criticize Depp, other people disagreed with the criticism.
The hit back came after Eve Barlow, a journalist, took to Twitter to share her opinion on Depp attending a concert.
Barlow took to Twitter telling people to “wake up.”
“So Johnny Depp is on tour with Jeff Beck. He played in Sheffield tonight, and will likely play the Royal Albert Hall in London tomorrow and Tuesday. That’s the domestic abuse victim waiting for his defamation case verdict. The one who’s been canceled,” she wrote, continuing on by saying “Meanwhile Amber Heard doesn’t have PTSD… Wake up,” in another thread.
“Amber Heard attending Coachella with her friends the day after an alleged serious attack is normal behavior but JD doing his job 6 years later is proof he’s not a DV victim? The Logic of Eve Barlow everyone,” somebody responded.
Many others hit back at Barlow, as well…
“That’s a victim who has been through hell the past 6 weeks and finally wants to leave this shit behind him and move on. y’all love to tell Johnny to move on and once he does he’s guilty. let the man live his f*cking life and go get one too,” someone wrote.
Another person expressed that there aren’t any rules as to how someone deals with stress…
“Why are some media so pressed that Johnny Depp is playing guitar at a concert? Is there any rule that says you can’t do certain things while waiting for a verdict? Is there any rule on how a person should or shouldn’t deal with stress? No, it doesn’t. Stay mad,” they said.
And now, experts have weighed in on Depp’s chance of winning against Heard.
According to IGV.official, Alex Wade, a media litigation lawyer, said that the actor must prove that Heard acted with ‘actual malice’ when she wrote her op-ed piece.
Mitra Ahouraian, an entertainment lawyer, also spoke out about the case.
“She would have to establish that he knows those things that he put in the complaint are not true, or he doesn’t care if they’re true or not, he just wants to make her look bad,” Ahouraian said.
“She has to show that malicious intent, which is difficult to do, but she has a greater chance of winning if she can show that the statements she made were true,” they continued.
Jesse Weber, a host of the Law and Crime Network said that although Depp came across as “strong,” Heard has the “hot seat,” which could be a result of Depp’s history with drugs and alcohol during their relationship making his claims weaker.
And as the experts have weighed in, so have internet users…
“I really don’t get how some people can still say amber heard will win the case when the whole trial is about the op-ed she wrote defaming johnny depp. she literally admitted, under oath, that she was the author at least FOUR times in court. Case closed,” someone wrote.
“Has there ever been a court case where 99% of the world is fighting and praying for a man to be successful in a domestic abuse case against a female? Needless to say, Johnny Depp is absolutely innocent,” someone else noted.
“If Johnny Depp doesn’t win this court case I’m canceling my life,” another wrote.
But some people weren’t as impressed with how his team handled the case…
“Johnny Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, is such an unprofessional amateur, just throwing out snarky soundbites so she can be meme’d on Tik Tok by the easily impressed cretins who think she’s ending~ Amber. No lawyer acts like this outside of TV shows,” someone wrote.
Others just didn’t understand why the case was being televised, and why so many people were “obsessed” with it.
“I’m sorry but you need help if ur obsessed with the Heard vs Depp trial as if it’s a tv show and not a defamation court case about domestic abuse,” somebody expressed.
“I’m not on Team Depp or Team Heard. I am on Team How Sad It Is That These People Have These Terrible Issues And Inflicted So Much Pain On Each Other And Are Now Doing It In A Live Streamed Court Case,” somebody else expressed.
What do you think?