Closing arguments in the six-week defamation trial actor Johnny Depp filed against his ex-wife Amber Heard concluded on Friday and is now in the hands of the jurors.
Depp filed the suit against Heard after The Washington Post published an op-ed by the Aquaman star in which she describes herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse”.
Though he is not named, Depp claims that the article defamed him, costing him millions of dollars and his role in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Throughout the trial, both sides produced evidence from personal friends, expert witnesses and even family members, all called on to refute each other’s claims.
What became clear throughout the case was that the brief marriage was fraught with difficulties and conflict.
Jurors and millions of online viewers heard gruelling and painful accounts of alcohol-fuelled rages, explicit details of abuse and mental cruelty along with acrimonious text exchanges.
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Fans of actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard wait in the rain outside the Fairfax County Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on the last day of the trial. AFP -
Heard fans are a rare sight. AFP -
Depp fans lead cheers for the actor outside the Fairfax County Courthouse on the final day of the trial of Johnny Depp v Amber Heard. Reuters -
Depp fans wait to catch a glimpse of the actor when he arrives. Reuters -
A fan of Depp's dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow poses for a selfie. AFP -
Depp fans have gathered at the courthouse for weeks. AFP -
Depp waves to his fans. Reuters -
Fans wait in the rain on the final day of the trial. Reuters -
Depp waves to fans. Reuters -
Fans of Depp shout at a supporter of Heard. AFP -
Depp fans yell at a supporter of Heard outside the courthouse. AFP -
Fans of Depp yell at a Heard supporter. AFP -
Throngs of fans cheer outside the courthouse. AFP -
Depp has long been a heartthrob since his days on the television series '21 Jump Street'. AFP -
Depp waves goodbye to fans. Reuters
During his four days on the stand, Depp claimed that he was the victim, an abused husband and that Heard’s article “cost him everything”.
“No human being is perfect, certainly not, none of us, but I have never in my life committed sexual battery, physical abuse,” he said.
His lawyer, Camille Vasquez, said in her closing argument that Heard is an affront to victims of domestic violence.
“It was an act of profound cruelty not just to Mr Depp, but to true survivors of domestic abuse for Ms Heard to hold herself out as a public figure representing domestic abuse,” she said.
Benjamin Chew, another player on Depp’s legal team, said that the actor has struggled with drugs and alcohol and is “not a saint” but “he is not a violent abuser”.
Heard and Depp met when she auditioned for The Rum Diary. She began texting her mother images of bruises she alleges came at the hands of Depp as early as 2013. The couple were married in 2015 and divorced in 2017.
The actress obtained a restraining order against Depp in May 2016, citing domestic violence, and filed for divorce in the couple’s home state of California. California law states that no matter the reason for petitioning, Heard was eligible for half of Depp’s earnings for the entirety of their marriage — about $31 million.
“She only asked for $7m and pledged that to charity,” lawyer Elaine Bredehoft reminded jurors.
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US actor Amber Heard testifies on May 26, 2022. EPA -
Heard with her legal team. EPA -
Heard testifies on the final day. EPA -
Heard talks with her attorney Ben Rottenborn. AFP -
A photograph appears on a monitor as evidence. AFP -
Actor Johnny Depp leaves for the day during the Depp vs Heard deformation trial in Fairfax, Virginia. AFP -
Heard leaves for the final day of the Depp vs Heard deformation trial at Fairfax County Court in Fairfax, Virginia. AFP -
Depp has left the building. AFP -
Heard hugged her attorney Elaine Bredehoft after she testified one last time. EPA -
Depp waves to his courtroom fans. AFP -
Depp returns from a break and stands for the jury. AFP -
US actor Johnny Depp gestures as he departs the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia. AFP -
Julian Ackerts, a computer forensic investigator, testified that Heard did not alter any of her images entered into evidence. AP -
Depp stares at the jurors. Reuters -
Celebrity therapist Beechy Colclough has been seen with Depp throughout most of the trial. Mr Colclough lost his license to practise therapy after a patient complaint was filed. AFP -
Fans cheer as US actor Johnny Depp arrives at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia. AFP
Heard also said that when she suggested both pre-and post-nuptial agreements, her former husband told her: “The only way out of this relationship is death.”
One of her lawyers, Benjamin Rottenborn, used the last moments of his closing arguments to reintroduce text exchanges between Depp and “his drug buddy” Paul Bettany in which Depp suggested “burning” his wife and then “[performing sexual acts upon] her corpse”.
Ms Vasquez said that this type of language could be attributed to his idolisation of his friend and journalist, Hunter S Thompson.
“He's got a dark sense of humour. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's who he is,” said Ms Vasquez. “But using bad language and colourful humour does not mean that you are a violent abuser.”
Mr Rottenborn called the exchange “disgusting” and that at the end of their marriage, Depp texted Bettany: “I hope that [expletive]’s rotting corpse is decomposing in the [expletive] trunk of a Honda Civic.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, these words are a window into the heart and mind of America's favourite pirate,” said Mr Rottenborn. “This is the real Johnny Depp.”
Depp denied sending the texts, though the forensic evidence produced proved otherwise.
“He has never accepted responsibility for anything in his life,” said Ms Bredehoft.
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This photo was taken at the Los Angeles courthouse the day Heard filed her domestic violence restraining order against Johnny Depp. AP -
Evidence showing pictures of injuries to Heard appear on a screen. EPA -
Actor Johnny Depp is seen laying in a hospital after his finger was injured while he and his ex-wife Amber Heard were in Australia in March 2015. Photo: Johnny Depp Legal Team / Reuters -
Evidence presented by US actress Amber Heard showing a bald spot in her head. AFP -
Evidence showing US actress Amber Heard's hair she testified was pulled out by her ex-husband Johnny Depp. AFP -
Evidence showing pictures of US actress Amber Heard's injuries presented in court. AFP -
Evidence showing pictures of US actress Amber Heard appear on a screen during a defamation trial. AFP -
More evidence showing pictures of US actress Amber Heard. AFP -
Johnny Depp reportedly wrote messages in his own blood to his former wife Amber Heard. EPA -
Pictures of shattered glass presented as evidence by Amber Heard's defence team. EPA -
Photo presented as evidence by Amber Heard's defence team. EPA -
This is a photo of the ping pong table where Amber Heard testified she was sexually assaulted by her former husband Johnny Depp. EPA -
Johnny Depp's scribblings presented as evidence by Amber Heard's defence team. EPA -
Evidence appears on a monitor during the Depp vs Heard defamation trial. EPA -
Evidence appears on a monitor during the Depp vs Heard defamation trial. -
A photo of Johnny Depp that Amber Heard says she took of him whilst he was passed out. EPA -
Communications presented as evidence by Amber Heard's defence team. EPA -
Evidence appears on a monitor in the courtroom during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, EPA -
More evidence was shared in the courtroom in the US actor Johnny Depp/Amber Heard trial. EPA -
Johnny Depp's emails were submitted as evidence in today's trial. EPA -
An image taken by US actress Amber Heard of her former husband, Johnny Depp, passed out was submitted as trial evidence. EPA -
Johnny Depp testified that these pictures were taken during the period when he had 'fallen off the wagon'. EPA -
Evidence shown in today's proceedings. When asked if he would often drink whisky in the morning, Mr Depp replied: “Isn’t happy hour anytime?” -
US actress Amber Heard reacts as she listens to an audio recording of she and US actor Johhny Depp arguing. AFP -
US actor Johnny Depp testifies during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia. EPA -
US actress Amber Heard during the trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia. EPA -
Images of Amber Heard admitted as evidence. AP -
Images of Amber Heard admitted as evidence. AP -
Images of Amber Heard admitted as evidence. AP
“He's blamed everybody in the world — his agent, his manager, his lawyer, Amber, his friends, everybody.”
Depp’s lawyers maintained that is it Depp who was the victim and that Heard manipulated injuries and destroyed her own property in an effort to frame Depp.
“We ask you, we implore you to give him his name, his reputation and his career back,” Mr Chew asked of the jury.
If the jury does not reach a verdict by end of day Friday, deliberations will resume next Tuesday. They have also been given the task of making a decision on Heard’s $100m countersuit.
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Raquel Pennington becomes emotional in a recorded video deposition, as a picture of Amber Heard is seen on screen. EPA -
Pennington testifies about seeing the spot on Heard's head, which was bloodied and bare. AP -
Depp listens as Pennington testifies in a recorded video deposition, as a picture of Heard appears on screen. AFP -
Depp listens as Pennington testifies about what his lawyer yesterday called a 'photo shoot'. AFP -
Heard watches former friend Pennington testify. EPA -
Pennington testifies she once lived in the Los Angeles penthouses with Depp and Heard, and on 'many occasions' documented physical injuries to the actress. AFP -
Depp looks on during a break. AFP -
Depp acknowledges supporters before a lunch break. AFP -
Josh Drew, Pennington's former husband, testifies in a recorded deposition. EPA -
Judge Penney Azcarate listens to Drew's recorded deposition. EPA -
Depp speaks with his lawyer Camille Vasquez. AFP -
Depp reacts as Pennington testifies. AFP -
Depp gets up during a break in the courtroom on Wednesday. AP -
Pennington often became emotional when asked about her friend's injuries. EPA -
Pennington on screen above the spectators in the Virginia courtroom. EPA -
Heard embraces her lawyer Elaine Bredehoft. AP -
Depp arrives in the courtroom with Ms Vasquez. AP -
Depp speaks with Ms Vasquez. AP -
Heard's friends testify Depp could be generous and kind, but when drinking he became 'a monster'. AP -
Heard talks listens to her lawyer Elaine Bredehoft. AP -
Ms Azcarate listens. AP -
Depp's lawyer Ms Vasquez and Heard's lawyer Ms Bredehoft speak in the courtroom before testimony. AP -
Heard in a rare relaxed mood on Wednesday. AP -
Depp walks into the courtroom for Day 17 of testimony. AP -
Depp gestures to his fans in the courtroom. AFP -
Depp is suing former wife Heard for libel. AFP -
Depp and Heard's friend iO Tillett Wright delivers a bombshell testimony on Tuesday. AP -
Wright becomes emotional when detailing what he saw during his friendship with Depp and Heard. EPA -
Heard and Ms Bredehoft on Wednesday. EPA -
Depp speaks to Ms Vasquez. EPA -
Depp hugs Ms Vasquez. AP -
Depp insists he was never violent with his former wife and has never hit a woman. AP -
Heard hugs Ms Bredehoft. AP -
Whitney Henriquez describes acts of violence towards her sister, Heard, by Depp. Reuters -
Heard listens as Ms Bredehoft questions her sister, Ms Henriquez. AP
