What You Need To Know About The High-Profile Trial
By: Maeve Tuma, Staff Writer
American actor Johnny Depp and his ex-wife, actor Amber Heard, are currently testifying in a very public high-profile defamation trial. It all started when Heard referred to herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse” in an opinion article she wrote for The Washington Post in 2018. Although she didn’t mention Depp directly, Depp's legal team wrote a complaint saying that the op-ed is a “clear implication that Mr. Depp is a domestic abuser.” He is now suing for $50 million for defamation, claiming the allegations are false and have cost him his career and reputation. Heard and her legal team have counter sued for $100 million, accusing Depp of trying to tarnish her reputation.
The couple met in 2009 on the set of “The Rum Diaries.” They started dating in 2012 and got married in 2015. On May 23, 2016, Heard filed for divorce. Four days later she filed a domestic violence restraining order against Depp. Heard has accused Depp of being physically and verbally abusive throughout their relationship, specifically, “violent and volatile” when under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In his testimony, Depp denied the allegations of domestic abuse, saying, “Never did I myself reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way, nor have I ever struck any woman in my life.”
Many people familiar to Depp & Heard have been called to the stand to testify, including the LAPD officers who responded to Heard's domestic violence call on May 21st. Heard had said that Depp threw a phone at her “as hard as he could”, but Depp denied the allegations. The officers testifying said they saw signs of crying, but no visible signs of injury. However, when Heard appeared in court, she had a visible mark on her face. Depp and Heard's former couples therapist also testified. She considered both of them to be “mutually abusive,” but domestic violence experts say it’s a divisive concept.
Despite both actors currently residing in Hollywood, the trial is taking place in a Fairfax, Virginia court because that is where The Washington Post is located. It is streaming live on YouTube by Sky News, Law and Crime Network, and Court TV. It runs every Monday to Thursday, starting at 10am and ending at 5pm. The trial should wrap up around Thursday, May 19th with the judge's verdict. At this point, public polling suggests the public seems to be siding with Depp. It is a civil case so neither Depp or Heard are facing criminal charges, but both of their reputations are on the line.
[Images from The AP, Washington Post]