Virginia The jury in a long-awaited defamation trial in a lawsuit brought by Johnny Depp against his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, was selected on Monday and will hear the case in which the actor has accused his ex of misrepresenting him as a domestic abuser.
Depp sued Heard over a 2018 Washington Post comment in which Heard described himself as “a public figure who portrays domestic violence.” The article doesn’t mention Depp by name but says it clearly references claims Heard has made on other forums that he was physically abused by Depp, who denies the claims..
The lawsuit brought some of Hollywood’s glamor to a court that has long dealt with famous crimes, and not just movie stars.
More than a dozen women, some holding signs that read “Justice for Johnny,” joined other fans wearing pirate flags in a nod to Depp’s famous role in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, which opened an hour earlier extrajudicial were hearings.
The courthouse in the city of Fairfax was closed to the public Monday, with restricted access to closed circuits in a crowded courtroom. People were queuing from 7:00 a.m. to wait for the bracelets that would give them access. Depp and Heard attended court, but court staff checked them in and out using special access that didn’t allow fans to see them.
The judge overseeing the trial, Penney Azcarate, established a set of rules for entering the court to try to maintain decency. One of the biggest is that neither Depp nor Heard can pose for portraits or sign autographs in court or for court reasons.
Tiffany Lunn, left, a supporter of actor Johnny Depp, outside the Fairfax County Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on Monday, April 11, 2022. (The Associated Press)Depp fans have openly supported the actor, arguing that he was falsely accused. Raylyn Otie, a Depp supporter from Bluefield, Virginia, drove five hours to see the film star and was disappointed when Depp didn’t personally greet fans as officials carefully restricted fan access.
“I’m so disappointed, I came to give you flowers to show you my support.”said Otie holding a bouquet of flowers.
In another court, a judge dismissed another separate case brought by Depp against a British newspaper. The judge found that Depp assaulted Heard on multiple occasions and left her fearing for her life on multiple occasions.
For her part, Heard filed a counterclaim against Depp, accusing her attorneys of defaming her at the actor’s direction.
Heard’s attorneys unsuccessfully tried to bring the Virginia case to California, where the actors live. A Fairfax judge ruled that Depp was eligible to bring the case before the state because the Post’s online editions are published through servers in Fairfax County. Depp’s attorneys said they filed the case in part in Virginia because local laws were more favorable to his case.
A jury of seven members and four deputies was selected for this Monday afternoon. A small jury like this is common in Virginia civil trials.
The first statements will be presented on Tuesday morning. The process is expected to take more than a month. The long list of witnesses includes actors James Franco and Paul Bettany, and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Some witnesses are expected to testify in person, while others may testify via video.