Depp vs. Heard: Some of the key points at the beginning of the test
If you’ve just reached the Depp-Heard case now, here’s a selection of some of the key points from the start of the trial that will help you catch up:
– Depp stated that he never hit Heard or any other woman. She said it was she who became abusive and “harassed” him with “degrading invocations”. “It seemed like pure hatred to me,” Depp said. “If I was left to argue, I was finally sure it would turn into violence, and it often did.”
– During a discussion in Australia in early 2015, Depp said that Heard threw a bottle of vodka that cut off the top of his right middle finger. The actor said he was shocked and wrote messages to Heard on the wall using finger blood. Heard offered a different account, crying as she told the jury that Depp sexually assaulted her that night by inserting a bottle of liquor into her vagina. “I was scared,” he said. “I just married him.”
– A few months later, Heard said, Depp broke his nose and tore off his hair during another violent encounter.
– Heard’s lawyers presented photos that said they showed injuries after several discussions, including scars on his arm that were visible as he lay on a red carpet, and redness and swelling around one eye that, according to he said, he was hit by a phone fired by Depp. Depp’s lawyers showed images of public appearances that were said to have been taken around the time of their fights and appeared to show no injuries.
– Depp stated that excrement was found in the couple’s bed in 2016. One of his security guards said Heard told him it was “a horrible practical joke that went wrong.” Heard denied any involvement and suggested that one of the couple’s dogs was responsible.
– Heard said Depp became physically abused when he slapped her after she laughed at a tattoo that said “Wino Forever”. The tattoo previously said “Winona Forever”, referring to Depp’s ex-girlfriend Winona Ryder.
– Jurors listened to an audio clip of Depp threatening to cut himself with a knife during one of his last encounters in person. “That’s psychologically, emotionally where I was,” Depp said. “In the end, I was broken … I thought the only answer was here, take my blood, that’s all I have left.”
– Heard’s lawyers introduced text messages in which Depp said Heard was a “dirty bitch” and said he wanted her dead. Writing to actor Paul Bettany in 2013, Depp said, “Let’s drown her before she’s burned,” and “Then I’ll shoot her burnt body to make sure she’s dead.”