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NOTE: This article contains details and descriptions that are graphic and disturbing. Please read at your discretion.
After six weeks of legally fighting each other, actors and ex-spouses Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are finally nearing the end of the televised trial.
Depp, 58, sued Heard, 36, for defamation at Fairfax County Circuit Court for an opinion piece he wrote in December 2018 in The Washington Post describing himself as “a figure representing domestic abuse. “
His lawyers say he was defamed by the article even though he never mentioned his name.
Actor Johnny Depp is taking a break during his trial in a Fairfax County court on May 27, 2022 in Fairfax, Virginia. Getty
Read more: Johnny Depp calls Amber Heard’s accusations crazy while defamation lawsuit continues
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Each of his lawyers will present the final statements in court on Friday, with a jury verdict likely to follow in the coming days.
When the trial began, Judge Penney Azcarate gave the seven members of the jury many lengthy instructions on how to decide a verdict, both in Depp’s $ 50 million defamation lawsuit and in Heard’s $ 100 million counterclaim. .
One of Depp’s lawyers, Camille Vasquez, first presented the final argument. He told the jury that Heard had “falsely told the world that he was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Mr Depp”.
Actor Amber Heard speaks with her legal team in the Fairfax County Circuit Court Chamber in Fairfax, Virginia on May 27, 2022. Getty
“What is at stake in this trial is the good name of a man,” Vasquez said, adding that Depp’s life is also at stake in the trial.
Johnny Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, speaks during the final arguments of the Depp v. Heard at Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, May 27, 2022. Getty
“There is an abuser in this courtroom, but he is not Mr. Depp,” Vasquez said, claiming that Heard was the assailant and Depp the victim.
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1:07 Depp’s lawyer says he was “real victim of domestic abuse” in final arguments Depp’s lawyer says he was “real victim of domestic abuse” in final arguments
Vásquez called Heard “incredibly aggressive, violent and cruel.” He also insisted that Depp suffered “persistent and aggressive” abuse at the hands of his ex-wife.
Read more: Johnny Depp’s testimony cryptically contradicts Amber Heard’s key testimony
Several audio clips were played back in court, often featuring arguments between the former couple.
Vasquez told the jury that Heard not only wanted Depp’s divorce in 2016, but wanted to ruin it.
Another lawyer for Depp’s team, Benjamin Chew, also made closing statements to the jury.
Johnny Depp’s attorney, Benjamin Chew, gives the closing arguments to the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 27, 2022. Getty
“Now you’ve come to know the real Amber Heard – awesome,” she said.
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“This is Me Too, no Me Too,” Chew told the jury.
Chew, while claiming that Heard was constantly false in his testimony, said Depp “does not and does not deserve his life, his legacy, to destroy any lie.”
In short, Chew asked the jury to return Depp to his life, career and reputation by awarding a verdict in his favor.
Read more: Amber Heard takes part in Johnny Depp’s defamation trial again: “People want to kill me and tell me every day”
People cheer when actor Johnny Depp arrives to be tried in a Fairfax County court on May 27, 2022 in Fairfax, Virginia. Getty
One of Heard’s lawyers, Ben Rottenborn, then made final statements on his behalf. He argued that Depp and his team have done everything possible to ruin Heard’s reputation and career.
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Rottenborn told the jury that just because Depp had tried to convince the public that Heard’s Washington Post article was about him doesn’t mean it is. Instead, he argued that great care was taken in writing the article to make sure that the text did not point to Depp, claiming rather that he intended to retrieve his story.
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1:58 Heard’s lawyers ask jury to consider the message Depp’s defamation lawsuit sends to victims of domestic abuse Heard’s lawyers ask jury to consider the message Depp’s defamation lawsuit sends to victims of domestic abuse
“This is not a hit piece about Johnny Depp,” he said.
He called Depp’s allegations against Heard “disgusting” and “guilty of the victim.”
“This whole case is about blaming Amber Heard for things she didn’t do, because that’s what Mr. Depp is doing,” Rottenborn said.
Actor Amber Heards’ attorney, Benjamin Rottenborn, speaks during the closing arguments in the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 27, 2022. Getty
“If Mr. Depp mistreated Amber even once, then she wins,” she told the jury, reminding the courtroom that physical, emotional, verbal, and psychological abuse also deserves a verdict in her favor.
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“It’s not about who the best spouse is. It’s not about whether you think Amber also abused Mr. Depp,” he told the jury.
“They’re trying to trick you into thinking that Amber has to be perfect to win,” he said.
Several graphic text messages sent by Depp to various people (including Marvel star Paul Bettany) were again shown in court, including messages in which Depp says he would like to drown, burn and commit necrophilia in Heart’s body.
Read more: Amber Heard leaves support after tense interrogation by Johnny Depp’s lawyers
Heard’s attorneys reiterated that Depp had serious drug and alcohol abuse problems. Rottenborn presented court photos, audio and text messages, alluding to Depp’s alleged addictions. Once again, he claimed that Depp became a “monster” when he was under the influence.
Depp has maintained that he has never been addicted to drugs or alcohol (with the exception of Roxicodone).
“Mr. Depp just can’t prove to you that he never abused Amber, “Rottenborn told the jury.
Rottenborn argued that any loss in Depp’s career or reputation was not caused by Heard and his commentary, but by Depp’s own actions.
Finally, another of Heard’s attorneys, Elaine Bredehoft, spoke with the jury about Heard’s $ 100 million lawsuit against Depp.
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“We ask that you finally hold this man accountable,” Bredehoft asked the jury, adding that they should “fully and fairly compensate Amber for what she has done.”
Actor Amber Heards’ attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, speaks during the closing arguments at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 27, 2022. Getty
“What would be the reason for Amber Heard to turn this into a hoax? To invent this?” Bredehoft asked aloud.
He went on to say that Amber was friendly in his divorce from Depp and the subsequent settlement, and did not want his money or his reputation to be ruined.
Read more: Amber Heard’s sister testifies, says she witnessed first-hand abuse of Johnny Depp
Earlier this week, both Depp and Heard returned to the stand for the second time.
On Wednesday, Depp told the court it was “crazy” to hear Heard’s allegations against him.
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“It’s crazy to hear atrocious accusations of violence, sexual violence, that’s what I’ve been blamed for,” he said. “I don’t think anyone enjoys having to open up and tell the truth. But there are times when it has to be done because it’s out of control.”
Actor Johnny Depp testified Wednesday in the Fairfax County Circuit Court Chamber in Fairfax, Virginia. Getty
He described his time in court as “ridiculous, humiliating, painful, savage, unimaginably brutal and cruel”, as well as calling “false” everything said about him.
3:42 Johnny Depp says hearing Amber Heard’s testimony was “crazy” Johnny Depp says hearing Amber Heard’s testimony was “crazy”
On Thursday, Heard was thrilled when he told the jury how this trial has affected him and its widespread publicity.
The story goes on …