"Infamous and disturbing": Johnny Depp against Amber Heard - that has happened in court so far
Created: 04/26/2022, 18:25
By: Yasina Hipp
The trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has been running since April 12.
Some witnesses and Depp himself have already spoken out in court.
Here is an overview.
Fairfax (USA) - In recent years, the two Hollywood actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have delighted their fans with countless funny, exciting and interesting films.
He, mainly known as the cranky pirate Jack Sparrow from "Pirates of the Caribbean", she with prime roles in "The Danish Girl", "Zombieland" or "Aquaman".
But the marriage of the two was ill-fated and only lasted a few months.
From 2015 to 2017, Depp and Heard were married.
The first mud fight in court followed in 2020 because the British tabloid
The Sun
called Depp a "wife bully".
Now the ex-couple is once again in court.
The process in the USA started on April 12.
Here we offer you an overview of the previous trial days.
Background to the 2022 Depp Heard trial
Johnny Depp is suing his ex-wife Amber Heard for $50 million in damages.
The reason for this is a post by Heard in the
Washington Post
from 2018, in which the now 35-year-old described herself as a victim of domestic violence and implicitly accused Johnny Depp of violence against her.
With the process, Depp wanted to bring the truth to light, wanted to protect himself and his children from the "terrible" allegations and clear his name.
Amber Heard responded with a counterclaim for $100 million in damages.
Friends of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are testifying in court at the trial
Wednesday, April 13, 2022:
Isaac Baruch, a longtime friend of actor Johnny Depp, says he saw no signs of violence on Heard's face after an alleged assault by Depp.
After looking at her face, he saw "no cut, no bruise, no swelling, no redness."
In addition, Baruch did not experience Johnny Depp as violent, nor had he ever witnessed physical violence between the couple.
Thursday, April 14, 2022:
Marriage counselor and therapist Laurel Anderson's testimony recording is played in court.
Anderson reports abusive behavior from both sides: Heard's behavior provoked Depp and started arguments.
The marriage counselor noticed bruises on Amber Heard's face in December 2015.
Thursday, April 14, 2022:
Also played was testimony from Kate James, a former assistant to the actress.
She also emphasizes that she has never experienced physical violence between the couple or noticed injuries to her boss at the time.
However, James was often insulted by Amber Heard.
US actor Johnny Depp in the trial of his ex-wife Amber Heard.
© picture alliance/dpa/AP/Steve Helber
Johnny Depp testifies in court and denies allegations
Tuesday April 19, 2022 and Wednesday April 20, 2022:
For the first time, 58-year-old Johnny Depp speaks out in court.
He underlines several times under oath: .
"I've never hit a woman in my life." There were "arguments" and "things of that nature," but it never got to the point where he "had somehow hit Ms. Heard."
Heard's allegations were "nefarious and disturbing", were "not subject to any kind of truth" and were "a total shock" to him.
The descriptions of his alcohol and drug abuse were also "exaggerated".
Although he confirms that he has taken "substances", he has not harmed Heard.
Depp also accused his ex-wife of frequent outbursts of "verbally and physically assaulting" him.
Course of the process days
Tuesday, April 12, 2022:
Trial start
Wednesday, April 13, 2022:
Testimony of Isaac Baruch (Longtime friend of Johnny Depp)
Thursday, April 14, 2022:
Testimonies from marriage counselor and therapist Laurel Anderson and Amber Heard's former assistant, Kate James
Tuesday April 19, 2022 and Wednesday April 20, 2022:
Statement by Johnny Depp
Thursday, April 21, 2022:
Heard's attorneys cross-examine Depp
Monday, April 25, 2022:
Heard's attorneys cross-examine Depp
Johnny Depp in court for cross-examination
Thursday, April 21, 2022:
The day after he testified, Heard's attorneys cross-examine Johnny Depp.
They let him read text messages in which Depp abused the actress in a nasty way.
They also confront him with videos, photos and audios that are supposed to show Depp as an addict with violent failures.
He was "not proud" of his behavior and the choice of words in the news, in which he insulted Heard, among other things, as a "whore".
Monday, April 25, 2022:
After the cross-examination by the attorneys, the questioning by the jury follows.
In a recording played to the jury, Depp tells Heard, "Shut up, fat ass."
He downplays both this recording and the other messages: "It's just disrespectful and abstract humor." He's also ashamed that his words are now being spread around the world.
Regarding the allegations of alcohol and drug influence, he emphasizes that he has never harmed other people.
"The only person I've abused in my life is myself," Depp said.
Hollywood star Amber Heard in court over lawsuit with ex-husband Johnny Depp.
© picture alliance/dpa/AP Pool/Steve Helber
Another four weeks are scheduled for the process.
Amber Heard's statement is due in the coming days.
In addition, many other witnesses are to be heard.
Among them may be Tesla boss and Heard's ex-partner Elon Musk and also the actors Paul Bettany and James Franco.