The jury for the multimillion-dollar defamation suit between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard has been sent to consider his verdicts.
Heard, who claims that Depp physically and sexually assaulted her, is being sued by the Hollywood actor for $ 50 million for an article she wrote in The Washington Post in 2018 in which she described herself as “a figure representing domestic abuse. “
Heard, 36, has sued her ex-husband for $ 100 million after her lawyer called her allegations a hoax.
Check out the latest court updates as final arguments; keep up to date
The 58-year-old Pirate of the Caribbean star insists she never hit Heard and that she made up allegations of abuse to gain an edge in divorce proceedings.
At the end of the six-week trial in Virginia on Friday, Depp’s legal team asked the jury “to bring Mr. Depp back to life” on finding that Heard had committed defamation.
“This case of Mr. Depp has never been about money,” said Depp’s lawyer, Benjamin Chew.
“It’s about Mr Depp’s reputation and his release from the prison where he has lived for the last six years.”
Chew also said, “We implore you to give him his name, his reputation and his career.”
Another of Depp’s lawyers, Camille Vasquez, said that while Heartd’s first-person play did not mention the actor’s name, it clearly referred to him.
Image: Actor Johnny Depp reacts as he testifies in the courtroom. Image: REUTERS / Evelyn Hockstein / Pool
He told jurors that behind the scenes of Depp and Heard’s relationship, things were very different.
“There’s an abuser in this room, but it’s not Mr. Depp.”
“There’s an abuser in this room, but it’s not Mr. Depp. And there’s a domestic abuse victim in this room, but it’s not Ms. Heard,” he said.
Heard’s attorney, Benjamin Rottenborn, said the lawsuit was not about Depp’s reputation, but was part of an ongoing defamation campaign that Depp launched after Heard filed for divorce.
Image: Actor Amber Heard testifies during Depp’s defamation trial against Heard. Photo: Michael Reynolds / Pool via REUTERS
“In Mr. Depp’s world, don’t abandon Mr. Depp,” he said. “If you do, he will launch a global humiliation campaign against you.”
He took the jury back to the testimony of expert psychologist Dawn Hughes, who tested Heard and said there had been a “high degree” of violence against the actress.
He said the effect of “coercive control” was “drastic” and that there was an “imbalance of power” and “intimidation”.
Dr. Hughes told the court that Heard has post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of abuse.
Rottenborn said it was “ridiculous” that Depp was trying to “trick” the jury into believing he was never abusive towards Heard.
“It’s not about who is the best spouse,” the lawyer said. “It’s not about whether you think Ms. Heard may have been abusive with Mr. Depp. She’s not.”
“It’s time to dump her and move on.”
Rottenborn added: “It’s time to tell Mr. Depp that this is his last chance. Tell him to go on with his life. Tell him to let Amber go on with his life.
“This trial is much more than Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard. It’s about free speech. Defend it. Protect it. And reject Mr. Depp’s claims against Amber.”
Another of Heard’s attorneys, Elaine Bredehoft, said Depp’s attorney Adam Waldman’s statements, which are why Heard’s counterclaim to Depp, “came to life.”
Read more: Kate Moss says the actor “never pushed me, didn’t kick me or throw me down the stairs” The actress’ sister says she saw a couple hit her. in 2015
Ms Bredehoft said “they’ve been following him everywhere” and that Heard has missed several job opportunities.
Aquaman’s film was Heard’s “opportunity,” his “stain,” Ms. Bredehoft said, but as it came out, “it all came to a close.”
He reminded the jury of the previous testimony of an expert who predicted the career path of the actress, saying that she could have earned up to $ 50 million in the following years “instead of her star completely extinct “.
Bredehoft said the jury should also consider “damage from emotional distress” and said these are “even more extreme.”
“Every time they call her a liar … she makes him relive everything,” Ms. Bredehoft said, adding that Calvary has “destroyed” Heart’s life and “consumed him.”