Johnny Depp : Lost in the UK but won the US

WHY DID DEPP WIN??? 

“The jury gave me my life back,” said Hollywood actor Johnny Depp after the verdict in the defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. He could not have been more accurate. 

What did Heard testify? 

The direct examination of the “Aquaman” actress lasted for about two days, during which she described a whirlwind romance with Depp that turned abusive. As Heard testified, the pair met while filming “The Rum Diaries,” commencing a romance during the movie’s 2011 media tour. “When I was around Johnny, I felt like the most beautiful person in the whole world,” Heard testified. “It felt like a dream. It felt like absolute magic.” 

According to Heard, Depp resumed a lifestyle of heavy drinking and drug use. In graphic detail, and often teary Heard chronicled multiple incidents of physical and sexual abuse from Depp. She painted him as jealous and controlling, often demanding she take roles that didn’t include sex or romance. She said he regularly hit her — adding that on more than one occasion, she feared for her life. During one fight, she testified, that he sexually assaulted her with a liquor bottle. 

What happened during Heard’s cross-examination? 

Depp attorney Camille Vasquez attempted to discredit Heard’s testimony with rapid-fire questions. Vasquez pointed to the lack of medical records backing up Heard’s testimony, noting that Heard continued using drugs and alcohol herself while expressing concern about Depp’s substance abuse. She pressed heavily against Heard’s argument that the op-ed at the centre of the case isn’t about Depp. 

What did Depp testify? 

Depp was on the stand for two days in April, and said he was there because of Heard’s “heinous” and “disturbing” allegations of abuse and that he wanted everyone to know the claims were “not based in any species of truth.” Though Depp acknowledged there were arguments between them, he testified, “Never did I, myself, reach the point of striking Ms Heard in any way, nor have I ever struck any woman in my life.” 

Depp told the jury that Heard — who has denied abusing Depp — frequently verbally berated him and would sometimes “strike out” in a physically violent way. The jury saw a photo of Depp with a bruise on his face, which he said his security guard took after Heard hit him. Another photo showed scratches on his face that he said happened during another confrontation. 

The actor said that after Heard’s op-ed was published, his reputation was ruined and he lost out on roles, including being dropped by Disney from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. 

What happened during Depp’s cross-examination? 

Heard lawyer Ben Rottenborn repeatedly made the point that Depp is suing Heard specifically over the op-ed, and noted that Heard never named Depp and it didn’t contain any details of their time together. Using texts and audio recordings, Rottenborn pushed back on Depp’s version of events when Heard alleged he abused her. He argued that Depp’s alcohol and drug use were what cost him his career. 

Verdict of Depp's case 

John C. Depp, II v. Amber Laura Heard (CL–2019–2911) was a defamation trial in Fairfax County, Virginia, that began on April 11 and ended on June 1, 2022. Plaintiff Johnny Depp alleged three counts of defamation against defendant Amber Heard, claiming US$50 million in damages. Heard filed a counterclaim against Depp, seeking $100 million, alleging three counts of defamation based on statements by Depp's lawyer.