Amber Heard ends her testimony at libel trial

WARNING: This story accommodates particulars of intimate companion violence.

Amber Heard instructed jurors Thursday {that a} harassment marketing campaign waged in opposition to her by ex-husband Johnny Depp has left her humiliated and scared for her life as a result of a number of loss of life threats, and stated she simply desires “Johnny to go away me alone.”

Heard was the ultimate witness within the six-week libel trial Depp introduced in opposition to his ex-wife. With cameras within the courtroom, thousands and thousands of individuals have adopted the trial, and curiosity appeared to achieve momentum because the weeks went on and each Depp and Heard testified in regards to the ugly particulars of their relationship.

On-line and on the courthouse, Depp’s followers have overwhelmingly dominated the narrative, with folks lining up in a single day to get one of many few spots within the courtroom and wave at Depp as he walks out and in. Heard has been booed by spectators on the road as she enters and leaves the courthouse.

“The harassment and the humiliation, the marketing campaign in opposition to me that is echoed each single day on social media, and now in entrance of cameras within the showroom — each single day I’ve to relive the trauma,” Heard stated as she fought again tears. “Maybe it is simple to overlook I am a human being.”

Heard cross-examined

On cross-examination, Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, instructed Heard that “your lies have been uncovered to the world” and questioned her about individuals who contradicted parts of her accounts.

“I understand how many individuals will come out of the woodwork to be in help of Johnny,” Heard responded.

Depp is suing Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court docket over a December 2018 op-ed she wrote in The Washington Publish describing herself as “a public determine representing home abuse.” Depp’s legal professionals say the actor was defamed by the article though it by no means talked about his title.

Heard stated she hopes the lawsuit will permit her to regain her voice, and stated she had the “proper as an American” to publish an article that described her experiences and the way they relate to the nationwide debate over home violence.

“Johnny has taken sufficient of my voice,” she stated. “I’ve the suitable to inform my story.”

Depp has denied he ever struck Heard, and says she was the abuser within the relationship. Heard has testified about greater than a dozen separate cases of bodily abuse she says she suffered at Depp’s palms.

Hand surgeon testifies

The ultimate witness for Depp’s aspect Thursday morning was hand surgeon Richard Gilbert, who stated he thinks the damage that occurred to Depp’s center finger might have occurred as Depp describes it.

The tip of the finger was severed throughout a combat the couple had in Australia.

Depp says it occurred when Heard threw a big vodka bottle at him. Heard says Depp did it to himself in a drug-fuelled rage on an evening when he additionally sexually assaulted her with a liquor bottle.

Jurors will hear closing arguments on Friday.

Assist is accessible for anybody who has been abused or assaulted. You’ll be able to entry disaster strains and native help companies by way of the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. The Canadian Girls’s Basis’s Signal For Help is a silent, one-handed gesture to make use of in a video name to point that you’re susceptible to violence at house. ​​In the event you’re in rapid hazard or concern to your security or that of others round you, please name 911.