Johnny Depp and Amber Heard arrive at the High Court as the defamation hearing continues
Johnny Depp’s multimillion-dollar libel trial against his former wife Amber Heard began Monday morning in Virginia with jury selection. Seven jurors and four alternates were selected to hear the case.
He alleges a 2018 Washington Post article by Heard — in which she discussed domestic violence against women — implied that Depp, her ex-husband, was an abuser.
Although the 35-year-old did not name the actor, lawyers for Depp say Heard’s allegations have made it difficult for the 58-year-old to land roles he previously had.
Depp is known for starring in films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Sweeny Todd and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Heard has appeared in titles such as Aquaman and Drive Angry.
He is seeking $50 million (£38.2 million) in damages during the trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court. Heard has since filed a defamation counterclaim against Depp, whom she divorced in 2017, for harassment.
Depp previously lost a defamation case in the UK against British newspaper The Sun over the claims in Heard’s 2018 article.
Important points
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“No one is safe from the abandonment culture”: Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp claimed “no one is safe from the abandonment culture” while accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award at Spain’s San Sebastian Film Festival last September.
At the time, Depp responded to a question saying Disney had removed him from its career-defining franchise, The Pirates of the Caribbean, after ex-wife Amber Heard made abuse allegations against him in 2018.
Four days after Heard’s comment in the Washington Post, in which she alluded to physical and sexual abuse at the hands of the 58-year-old actor, Disney announced that Depp would not be reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.
Depp has sued Heard for “no more than $50 million,” alleging that the “categorically and demonstrably false” allegations of abuse in the opinion piece negatively impacted his Hollywood career.
Maanya Sachdeva12. April 2022 08:00
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Johnny Depp before the court hearing at the Fairfax County Courthouse
The 58-year-old actor was photographed outside the Fairfax County Courthouse in Virginia before his defamation case against Amber Heard began on Monday (April 11).
Johnny Depp photographed in front of the Fairfax County Courthouse in Virginia, USA
(Getty Images)
Depp and Heard, who were married from 2015 to 2017, are facing each other in court after the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ actor sued Heard for defamation over a comment she wrote in 2018.
In a Washington Post article, Heard shares her experiences as an abuse survivor — but doesn’t name Depp directly.
Speaking in London’s High Court in 2020, the Aquaman star’s younger sister said she had “started noticing signs of physical abuse, such as bruising or cuts or burns [Heard’s] Poor – and early on”.
According to court documents, Depp is suing Heard for “no more than $50 million” over alleged damage to his career.
Maanya Sachdeva12. April 2022 07:15
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Elon Musk for Heard, Paul Bettany for Depp: Testimonies Expected During Trial
Elon Musk, who dated Amber Heard between 2016 and 2018, is expected to testify on the Aquaman actor’s behalf during the $50 million defamation lawsuit, which began Monday (April 11).
The Tesla CEO reportedly offered Heard 24/7 security to protect her from Depp. Actor James Franco’s testimony is also believed to be part of Heard’s legal strategy. Franco was reportedly aware of bruises Heard received during an alleged fight with Depp.
Meanwhile, actor Paul Bettany is listed as a witness for Depp and is expected to appear in court via video link. The actors reportedly exchanged text messages about “burning amber” and “they drown” in 2013.
When asked about the text messages in an interview last year, Bettany told The Independent: “Can you honestly imagine what it would be like if a bunch of lawyers went through your every email and text for 10 years? I can only tell you that it was an uncomfortable feeling.”
Maanya Sachdeva12. April 2022 06:30
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Jury selected to hear evidence in Depp v. Heard defamation case
An 11-member jury, including four alternates, has been selected to hear Johnny Depp’s defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Oliver O’Connell12. April 2022 05:45
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Reunion with Amber Heard’s op-ed that sparked a $50 million defamation lawsuit
In 2018, Amber Heard wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post entitled “I spoke out against sexual violence — and faced the wrath of our culture.” That needs to change.”
The actor, who is currently being sued by his former partner and actor Johnny Depp for defamation over the comment, wrote in the article that he suffered physical and sexual abuse.
“I was subjected to abuse from a very young age,” the 35-year-old actor revealed, adding, “But I stayed silent — I didn’t expect a charge to bring justice. And I didn’t see myself as a victim.
“Then two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic violence, and I felt the full brunt of our culture’s anger at women speaking out.”
Without naming Depp directly, Heard opened up about the aftermath of “speaking it out,” including being dumped from production houses and fashion brands alike, receiving death threats, and being subjected to near-constant paparazzi surveillance.
Maanya Sachdeva12. April 2022 04:47
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Oliver O’Connell12. April 2022 04:45
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How It Happened: Jury Selection
that of the independent Clemence Michallon reported by the court:
Jury selection is underway for Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation trial in Fairfax.
The trial began around 10 a.m. ET with jury selection. Depp and Heard are both present, each seated with their legal team to one side of the courthouse.
Potential jurors were first asked if they would face hardship if asked to attend what is expected to be a six-week trial. Some have been excused on this basis.
Then the judge and attorneys for each party asked would-be jurors if they had read or heard anything about the case and, if so, if they were still able to make an objective decision in the case.
Some jurors have admitted prior knowledge of the case but have generally said they could keep an open mind if they are part of the final jury.
A total of seven jurors and four deputies are elected.
Oliver O’Connell12. April 2022 03:45
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Depp and Heard: A Timeline of Their Relationship
From meeting on the set of a movie in 2011 to filing for divorce in 2016, the story between Depp and Heard will likely be heard again when the trial in Fairfax, Virginia begins.
that of the independent Clemence Michallon has a timeline, here:
Oliver O’Connell12. April 2022 02:45
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Heard said she wanted to be “left alone” at the 2020 defamation trial in London
Speaking up as a witness during Depp’s trial against Britain’s The Sun newspaper in 2020, Heard said she wanted “to be left alone” and wanted her ex-husband to end domestic violence claims to “spare him the embarrassment”.
“I didn’t want to do that, I didn’t want to disclose this entirety of what really happened to me,” Heard told the Royal Courts of Justice in London. “I didn’t want to talk about everything that happened in our marriage and what happened in our relationship.”
While Depp denies the claims, Heard told the court about 14 allegations of “violence” by Depp between 2013 and 2016 at locations including a rented home in Australia, his private island in the Bahamas and a private jet, The Associated Press reported two years ago.
The judge ruled against Depp, who accused The Sun’s editor of defaming him with a headline that read “wife beaters”. His lawyers subsequently described the judge’s decision as “perverse”.
Oliver O’Connell12. April 2022 01:45
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ICYMI: Dispatch from outside the courtroom
Writing from outside the courtroom in Fairfax, The Independent’s Clemence Michallon says:
“Bystanders, supporters and potential jurors have begun to gather at the Fairfax County Courthouse in Virginia.
Today marks the opening of Johnny Depp’s $50 million defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard. He claims she defamed him in an op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post in 2018. Heard has filed a $100 million countersuit and asked for immunity from his claims.
Potential jurors queue up in the courthouse, as do spectators wishing to gain access to the courtroom. The procedure is expected to begin at 10 a.m. with the selection of the jury. The jury’s selection, in turn, is expected to be completed by the end of the day.
TV cameras are set up outside. Supporters were also there early. During Johnny Depp’s trial against The Sun in the UK, he was known for sometimes stopping to greet fans, occasionally collecting flowers from them and stopping for photos.”
Oliver O’Connell12. April 2022 00:45