The big unboxing is over. The jury retired on Friday to deliberate in the ultra-publicized trial between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard in an American court, after six weeks of sometimes difficult debates on the « toxic » relationship between the two actors. After two hours of deliberations that did not result in a verdict, the jurors will continue on Tuesday, Monday being a public holiday in the United States.
Amber Heard’s life « has become hell » since the start of the trial, said the actress’ lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, during this final day of debates. She asked the jury at the court in Fairfax, near Washington, to dismiss Johnny Depp’s complaint to « let her continue with her life and raise her child ». The 58-year-old actor wants him to « resume the course of his life », had previously affirmed his lawyer, Camille Vasquez.
The star of the « Pirates of the Caribbean » saga is suing his ex-wife for defamation, who wrote in a column published by the Washington Post in 2018 to be « a public figure representing domestic violence », without naming Johnny Depp. He is seeking $50 million in damages, saying the forum destroyed his career and reputation.
Amber Heard, who appeared in particular in Justice League and Aquaman, counter-attacked and asks for the double. According to her, this « futile » complaint prolongs « the abuse and harassment » she says she suffered during her relationship with Johnny Depp.
« One Attack »
If the jury decides that “Amber suffered even one assault, she wins,” said one of her lawyers, Ben Rottenborn, after listing the couple’s many arguments, some of which, according to the actress, degenerated. in violence. “Think of the message that Mr. Depp and his lawyers send to Amber, and by extension to each victim of domestic violence”, he added, in reference to the tribune of the washington post. “This lawsuit is about a lot more than Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard, it’s about free speech. Defend her, protect her, ”he told the jurors.
« The First Amendment to the Constitution does not protect those who lie and defame others, » replied Camille Vasquez. The actor’s lawyers have endeavored to denounce the « lies » of Amber Heard, who according to them wanted to « ruin » her ex-husband. « Six years ago to the day, on May 27, 2016, Ms. Heard walked into court and filed a false complaint of domestic violence against her husband of 15 months, » said Camille Vasquez, claiming that her client was the victim, and not the reverse, of violence on the part of his companion.
His other lawyer, Ben Chew, recalled that « never before Amber Heard had a woman accused Mr. Depp of laying a hand on her in 58 years, and none have done so since ». Johnny Depp « lost everything » and was « deleted by Hollywood » after the column published by his ex-girlfriend, said the lawyer, because « everyone knew who (she) was talking about ».
Death threats
The actor “supports and believes in” the #MeToo movement, which denounces violence against women, he assured. Since April 11, the jury has heard dozens of hours of testimonies and audio or video recordings that have revealed the scabrous details of their life together, far from the glamor of Hollywood.
The actress said that Johnny Depp became a « monster » under the influence of an explosive cocktail of drugs and alcohol, resisting all his pleas for treatment. When she left him in May 2016, she says she became the target of a social media smear campaign that wiped out her career. She said she was « harassed » since the start of the trial, claiming to have received « thousands » of death threats.
Johnny Depp can count on the support of hundreds of fans who cheer him every day in court. According to the actress, the violence reached its climax during a rape with a bottle of alcohol in March 2015, a month after their marriage, when the actor was filming episode 5 of Pirates in Australia.
That day, Johnny Depp had the end of a finger severed and was hospitalized. He claims it was caused by a splinter from a bottle thrown by Amber Heard. She says he hurt himself. The comedian has already lost a first defamation lawsuit in London in 2020, against the tabloid The Sun who called him a « violent husband ». The two actors, who divorced in 2017, each claim to have lost between 40 and 50 million dollars in fees since the publication of the tribune.