Judge Penney Azcarate told jurors that their verdict must be unanimous before sending them to deliberate Friday afternoon.
“I know this trial has been a great sacrifice for all of you and has taken your life here for weeks,” Azcarate told the jury. “I know I am speaking on behalf of all of us associated with the case and I want to thank you for your service in this matter.”
This is a 2018 opinion piece that Heard wrote in the Washington Post in which he identified himself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse,” which Depp said he falsely painted as an aggressor and told him. cost to work in Hollywood. Heard countered with Depp, alleging that her lawyer’s statements that her allegations of abuse were a “deception” defamed her and her career, once it flourished.
Shortly before the deliberations began, the jurors heard the final arguments of both Heard’s and Depp’s lawyers.
Heard’s lawyer, Ben Rottenborn, told jurors that if Depp did not prove he never abused Heard, she would win the case.
“Mr. Depp just can’t prove to her that he never abused Amber,” Rottenborn said. “A verdict against Amber here sends the message that no matter what you do as a victim of abuse, you should always do more. No matter what you document, you should always document more. No matter who you tell, you always have “Tell more people. No matter how honest you are about your own imperfections and shortcomings in a relationship, you have to be perfect for people to believe you. Don’t send this message.”
Earlier Friday, Depp’s lawyers argued that Heard was the assailant, not Depp.
“What Mrs. Heard testified in this room is the story of too many women,” said attorney Camille Vasquez. “But the overwhelming evidence and the weight of this evidence shows that it is not her story. It is not the story of Mrs Heard. It was an act of profound cruelty, not only towards Mr Depp, but towards to the real survivors of domestic abuse. For Ms. “She was heard as a public figure representing domestic abuse. It was false, defamatory and irreparable. ”
For six weeks, jurors listened to more than 100 hours of testimonials from witnesses who often gave conflicting views on aspects of the former couple’s private life, from movie offerings to reports of violent altercations. , either in person, remotely or through recorded statements that were edited.
If the jury does not reach a verdict on Friday, deliberations will resume next Tuesday.