WARNING: This story contains details of partner violence.
Johnny Depp’s lawyers on Friday asked the jury to “bring Mr. Depp back to life” by declaring his ex-wife, Amber Heard, guilty of defamation.
Heard “ruined her life by falsely telling the world that she was a survivor of domestic abuse at the hands of Mr. Depp,” lawyer Camille Vasquez told the jury in the final arguments.
Depp is suing Heard for $ 50 million in Virginia’s Fairfax County Circuit Court for an opinion piece he wrote in December 2018 in the Washington Post describing him as “a public figure representing abuse. domestic “. Although the article does not mention Depp’s name, his lawyers say he defamed him because of Heard’s previous public accusations against him.
Heard filed a $ 100 million lawsuit against Depp after his attorney called his allegations a hoax.
Heard’s attorney will present the final arguments Friday
Depp says she never beat Heard and that she made up allegations of abuse to gain an edge in divorce proceedings. He said he was often physically attacked by Heard.
“There’s an abuser in this room, but it’s not Mr. Depp,” Vásquez said.
Heard testified about more than a dozen episodes of physical and sexual assault that he said Depp inflicted on him. On Thursday, Heard told jurors that a campaign of harassment by Depp against her had left her humiliated and frightened by her life due to multiple death threats, and said she only wants “Johnny to leave me in peace. “
Actor Amber Heard is testifying in Fairfax County Circuit Court on May 26, 2022. Heard has testified about more than a dozen episodes of physical and sexual assault that he said Depp inflicted on him. (Michael Reynolds / The Associated Press)
Each party will have two hours to summarize their case in a trial that has been extended for six weeks. With broadcast cameras in the courtroom, a celebrity trial that sparked intense interest from the start has only gained momentum as fans have taken to social media and lined up overnight for court seats.
Heard’s lawyers will present their final arguments later Friday.
Support is available to anyone who has been abused or assaulted. You can access local crisis lines and support services through Ending Violence Association of Canada database. The Canadian Women’s Foundation Help signal is a silent one-handed gesture used in a video call to indicate that you are at risk of violence at home. If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety or the safety of others around you, call 911.