Johnny Depp, Amber Heard back in court for multimillion-dollar, very public defamation trial
The newest chapter in Hollywood star Johnny Depp’s authorized battle with ex-wife Amber Heard kicks off on Monday as a U.S. defamation trial begins over allegations Heard made about home abuse.
Depp, 58, has sued Heard for $50 million US, saying she defamed him when she penned a 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of home abuse.
The op-ed by no means talked about Depp by identify, however Depp’s attorneys have mentioned it was clear Heard was referencing him, and that the piece broken his movie profession and repute.
Depp has denied all allegations of abuse, saying in his lawsuit that Heard’s claims have been an “elaborate hoax to generate optimistic publicity for Ms. Heard and advance her profession.”
Juror choice is predicted to start Monday within the case.
Depp needs the Fairfax County jury to search out that Heard knowingly made false claims.
Heard, for her half, will argue that she is shielded, or “immune,” from legal responsibility as a result of her 2018 op-ed on home violence handled a matter of public concern.
“I by no means named him. Somewhat, I wrote in regards to the worth ladies pay for talking out in opposition to males in energy. I proceed to pay the worth, however hopefully when this case concludes, I can transfer on and so can Johnny,” Heard mentioned in an announcement launched on Saturday.
The Washington Publish just isn’t a defendant within the trial.
Depp misplaced libel case in 2020
The U.S. trial comes lower than two years after Depp misplaced a libel case in opposition to The Solar, a British tabloid that labelled him a “spouse beater.” A London Excessive Courtroom decide dominated he had repeatedly assaulted Heard and put her in concern for her life.
WATCH | Johnny Depp loses U.Ok. libel swimsuit:
Johnny Depp has misplaced his courtroom case in opposition to a British tabloid that labelled the actor a “spouse beater.” The decide mentioned he believed the claims have been “considerably true.” 1:52
The USA is a troublesome discussion board for libel plaintiffs, particularly public figures like Depp, who faces a number of hurdles within the Virginia case. Depp should show by clear and convincing proof that Heard knowingly made false claims.
Underneath English defamation legislation, the individual being sued has the burden of proving their claims have been true.
Depp and Heard met whereas making The Rum Diary in 2011 and married 4 years later. Heard accused Depp of home abuse after submitting for divorce in 2016.
Depp ascended to Hollywood stardom within the Nineties with portrayals of loners and outsiders in cult classics akin to John Waters’s Cry-Child and Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands.
He turned a family identify with the swashbuckling Disney franchise Pirates of the Caribbean, taking part in fan favorite Jack Sparrow.
Heard, 35, is thought for her roles in Aquaman and Justice League. She has introduced her personal libel declare in opposition to Depp, saying he smeared her by calling her a liar.
Heard: Depp had alter ego, ‘the monster’
Heard’s counterclaim can be determined as a part of the trial, which might final for six weeks. Heard is searching for $100 million in damages from Depp, in line with courtroom papers.
In her proof to the London Excessive Courtroom, Heard mentioned Depp would flip right into a jealous alter ego, “the monster,” after binging on medicine and alcohol and had threatened to kill her.
She detailed 14 events of utmost violence when she mentioned the actor choked, punched, slapped, head-butted, throttled and kicked her. The London decide is accepting 12 of those accounts as true.
Following the November 2020 ruling within the London libel trial, Depp was changed with Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen within the third movie within the Implausible Beasts franchise, a spin-off from the Harry Potter books and movies.
