Trial of Johnny Depp live: Amber Heard and the actor face a $50 million defamation court in Virginia
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Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in court in London in 2020
(AP)
Johnny Depp’s multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard will begin today in Virginia.
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, Depp’s lawyers 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
- Johnny Depp meets Amber Heard in the second trial
- Actors are expected to appear for the event
- Heard will use anti-SLAPP provisions in defense
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Who could testify at the trial?
Ahead of the trial, which is set to begin today in Virginia, Depp and Heard have each released a list of witnesses their teams may wish to call, writes The Independent’s Clemence Michallon.
They have each submitted lists of objections to some of the other side’s witnesses, allowing the final pool of witnesses to become clearer and to evolve as the proceedings progress.
Those named as potential witnesses so far include Tesla founder Elon Musk and actor James Franco…
Oliver O’Connell11. April 2022 16:40
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Why is the trial taking place in Virginia?
Although the couple both live in California, Depp’s defamation case against his ex-wife is in Virginia, where the trial will take place in Fairfax County District Court.
Online editions of The Washington Post are published through servers in Fairfax County, which is believed to be one of the reasons Depp’s attorneys chose the location.
Another reason is Virginia’s anti-slapping law, which is not as comprehensive as California’s. The provision allows a person to claim protection from a court proceeding when speaking on matters of public interest.
Heard’s attorneys, who filed a counterclaim for defamation, are expected to use anti-slapping law during the trial. It comes four years after her Washington Post article entitled, I spoke out against sexual violence — and faced the wrath of our culture. That needs to change.
Additional coverage from The Associated Press
Oliver O’Connell11. April 2022 16:21
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Johnny Depp fans waited outside the courthouse to catch a glimpse of the actor
(EPA)
(EPA)
Oliver O’Connell11. April 2022 15:52
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Heard said in 2020 that she wanted to be “left alone.”
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 expose this whole of what really happened to me,” Heard said at 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”.
Gino Spocchia11. April 2022 15:30
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Depp and Heard have arrived at the courthouse
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have arrived at the courthouse to select jurors for the $50 million defamation trial.
Oliver O’Connell11. April 2022 15:17
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Franco and Musk as witnesses
James Franco and Elon Musk are among the high-profile names set to testify during the Depp-Heard case.
Paul Bethany of WandaVision, as well as representatives from The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. are also scheduled to appear in Fairfax County court, Deadline reported.
The long-delayed process is scheduled to begin later today with the selection of a jury.
Gino Spocchia11. April 2022 15:10
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The legal dispute was the focus of the TV documentary last year
The high-profile legal disagreement between Depp and Heard was chronicled in a TV documentary series on Discovery Plus last year that sought to uncover the reasons for the couple’s two “polarized perspectives.”
The show – Johnny v Amber – was also billed as the story of “the breakdown” of Depp and Heard’s relationship, including “how it culminated in the celebrity court case of the decade.”
Gino Spocchia11. April 2022 14:55
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Why is the trial taking place in Virginia?
Although the couple both live in California, Depp’s defamation case against his ex-wife is in Virginia, where the trial will take place in Fairfax County District Court.
Online editions of The Washington Post are published through servers in Fairfax County, which is believed to be one of the reasons Depp’s attorneys chose the location.
Another reason is Virginia’s anti-slapping law, which is not as comprehensive as California’s. The provision allows a person to claim protection from a court proceeding when speaking on matters of public interest.
Heard’s attorneys, who filed a counterclaim for defamation, are expected to use anti-slapping law during the trial. It comes four years after her Washington Post article entitled, I spoke out against sexual violence — and faced the wrath of our culture. That needs to change.
Additional coverage from The Associated Press
Gino Spocchia11. April 2022 2:40 p.m
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Outside the court
The courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, will be busy in the coming weeks as the Depp and Heard trial will take place there.
A live stream will be broadcast from the court as the trial begins, although it is unclear if there will be a stream on Monday when jury selection takes place.
The Fairfax County District Courthouse
(Getty Images)
Gino Spocchia11. April 2022 2:30 p.m
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Heard can use the anti-slapping provision, the judge ruled last month
Heard will be able to argue during the trial that she is exempt from liability because her 2018 Washington Post article about domestic violence was a major issue of public interest.
Lawyers for Depp had argued that the Heard court should refuse to use what is known as the anti-slapp provision (strategic action against public participation) because it is a civil proceeding.
Both will testify during the trial in which the Fairfax County District Court will review Heard’s counter-defamation lawsuit against Depp.
Gino Spocchia11. April 2022 14:10