Johnny Depp v Amber Heard: Jury in defamation trial sent out to review their verdicts | US News
A jury in the multimillion-dollar defamation trial between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard has been appointed to review his verdicts.
Heard, who claims Depp physically and sexually assaulted her, is being sued by the Hollywood actor for $50 million over an article she wrote in The Washington Post in 2018 in which she describes herself as “a figure that represents domestic abuse”.
Heard, 36, sued her ex-husband for $100 million after his attorney called her allegations a hoax.
See the latest updates from the court as closing arguments are made – stay tuned for updates
The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 58, insists he never assaulted Heard and that she made abuse allegations to gain an advantage in the divorce proceedings.
At the end of a six-week trial in Virginia on Friday, Depp’s legal team asked the jury to “give his Depp life back” upon finding that Heard had committed defamation.
Depp’s attorney, Benjamin Chew, said: “This case for Mr. Depp has never been about money.
“It’s about Mr. Depp’s reputation and freeing him from the prison he’s lived in for the past six years.”
Mr Chew also said: “We beg you to give him back his name, his fame and his career.”
Another lawyer for Depp, Camille Vasquez, said that although Heard’s first-person piece did not mention the actor by name, it was clearly referring to him.
Actor Johnny Depp reacts while testifying in the courtroom. Photo: REUTERS / Evelyn Hockstein / Pool
She told jurors that behind Depp and Heard’s relationship, things were very different.
‘There’s an abuser in this courtroom, but it’s not Mr Depp’
“There’s an abuser in this courtroom, but it’s not Mr. Depp. And there’s a victim of domestic abuse in this courtroom, but it’s not Mrs. Heard,” she said.
Heard’s attorney, Benjamin Rottenborn, said the lawsuit was not aimed at Depp’s reputation but was part of an ongoing Depp smear campaign after Heard filed for divorce.
Actress Amber Heard testifies in Depp vs Heard defamation trial. Pic: Michael Reynolds / Pool via REUTERS
“In Mr Depp’s world, you don’t leave Mr Depp,” he said. “If you do, he will start a global campaign of humiliation against you.”
He took the jury to review the testimony of psychologist Dr Dawn Hughes, who examined Heard and said there had been a “high level” of violence against the actress.
She said the impact of “coercive control” was “drastic” and there was an “imbalance of power” and “intimidation”.
Dr Hughes told the court that Heard suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder due to abuse.
Mr Rottenborn said it was “ridiculous” that Depp was trying to “trick” the jury into believing he had never insulted Heard.
“It’s not about who is the better spouse,” the lawyer said. “It’s not a matter of whether you think Mrs. Heard might have abused Mr. Depp. It’s not.”
‘Time to tell Mr Depp this is his last chance’
Mr. Rottenborn added: “It’s time to tell Depp this is his last chance. Tell him to get on with his life. Tell him to let Amber get on with her.
“This trial is a lot more about Johnny Depp than Amber Heard. It’s about freedom of speech. Stand up for it. Defend it. And rebut Mr. Depp’s claims against Amber. “
Another lawyer for Heard, Elaine Bredehoft, said claims by Depp’s attorney Adam Waldman – which is why Heard opposed Depp – “taken his own life”.
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Ms Bredehoft said they had “followed her everywhere” and that Heard had lost a number of job opportunities.
Bredehoft said that the Aquaman movie was Heard’s “opportunity,” her “blockbuster,” but when it was about to come out, “everything was closed.”
She reminded the jury of the previous testimony of an expert who predicted the actress’ career trajectory, saying she could earn up to $50 million in the next years “instead of her stardom.” completely extinguished”.
Ms Bredehoft said the jury also needed to consider “mental damages” and found these to be “even harsher”.
“Every time she’s called a liar… it makes her relive it all,” Ms Bredehoft said, adding that the ordeal had “destroyed” Heard’s life and “killed her”. “.
