Jury in the Depp-Heard defamation case has begun deliberations

After a six-week trial containing searing reciprocal charges of domestic abuse, a jury began deliberations in the defamation lawsuit between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard on Friday.

After attorneys for both sides made final arguments, the seven-person jury retired to ponder a judgement in the high-profile case hearing in Fairfax, Virginia, near the US capital.

Elaine Bredehoft, an attorney for Heard, stated that Depp’s defamation action against the “Aquaman” actor, as well as a campaign of “global humiliation,” had made her life “absolute misery.”

“It has ruined her life.” This has completely engulfed her. “She’s been threatened with death,” Bredehoft told the jurors.

One of Depp’s attorneys, Benjamin Chew, said that while the 58-year-old “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor is not a “saint” and has suffered with drugs and alcohol, “he is not a violent abuser.”

“He did not deserve to have his life and legacy crushed by a cruel falsehood,” Chew added. “Miss Heard’s portrayal of herself as a heroic survivor, an innocent victim, and Mr Depp as a terrible abuser are completely incorrect.”

“We beg you, we urge you, restore his name, character, and career,” he implored the jurors.

According to Bredehoft, any harm done to Depp’s career was self-inflicted.

“Hold this man accountable,” she said to the jurors. “In his whole life, he has never accepted responsibility for anything.”

“He’s blamed everyone in the world, including his agency, manager, lawyer, Amber, and pals.”

Meanwhile, Depp’s lawyer, Chew, referred to the #Metoo movement, but said, “it’s for actual sufferers of assault, not Miss Heard.”

“No one has emerged from the woodwork to say’me too.’ This is the one and only’me too’ instance where there isn’t a single’me too.'”
Another of Depp’s attorneys, Camille Vasquez, told the jury that the evidence “showed that Miss Heard is the abuser.”

“She was aggressive, abusive, and hateful,” Vasquez stated.

– “Monster”

Depp sued Heard in December 2018 for an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in which she portrayed herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse.”

Although Heard did not identify Depp in the article, he has sued her for insinuating he was a domestic abuser and is demanding $50 million in damages.

Heard, 36, countersued for $100 million, saying that he subjected her to “rampant physical assault and abuse.”

During the trial, dozens of witnesses testified, including bodyguards, Hollywood executives, agents, entertainment industry specialists, physicians, friends, and family.

Depp and Heard each spent days on the witness stand during the televised trial, which was attended by hundreds of “Pirates” fans and was supported by a #JusticeForJohnnyDepp social media campaign.

The jury was given video and audio recordings of the couple’s furious, profanity-laced fights, as well as images of injuries purportedly sustained by Heard throughout their turbulent relationship.

Hours of testimony from medical specialists were devoted to a finger injury sustained by Depp while filming a “Pirates” movie in Australia in March 2015.

When Heard hurled a vodka bottle at Depp, he claimed the tip of his finger was severed. Heard stated that she had no idea how the injuries occurred.

Both agreed that Depp used the bloodied digit to scribble inscriptions on walls, lampshades, and mirrors.

Heard said Depp would turn into a physically and sexually abusive “monster” during alcohol and drug binges, and that he refused her repeated attempts to limit his drinking and drug usage.

Depp said that Heard was the one who was frequently aggressive, and that listening to “outlandish” claims of domestic violence levelled against him was “cruel.”

“No human being is flawless, definitely not any of us, but I have never committed sexual violence or physical assault in my life,” he stated.

– harmed Hollywood careers

In May 2016, Heard, who was married to Depp from 2015 to 2017, filed a restraining order against him for domestic abuse.

Depp, a three-time Oscar contender, sued the British tabloid The Sun in London for libel for branding him a “wife-beater.” In November 2020, he lost that case.

Both parties have alleged that their Hollywood careers have been harmed.

Heard’s legal team presented an entertainment industry expert who claimed the actress had lost $45-50 million in film and television roles and sponsorships.

According to an industry analyst recruited by Depp’s team, the actor has lost millions of dollars as a result of the abuse allegations, including a potential $22.5 million payout for the sixth edition of “Pirates.”…AFP

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