US Justice
Johnny Depp describes Amber Heard’s violent outbursts
Johnny Depp demonstrates how his ex-wife Heard allegedly hit him during his hearing. Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Pool/dpa
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Johnny Depp accuses his ex-wife of a “need for violence” – she verbally and physically attacked him. Amber Heard denies that.
“Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp described alleged violent outbursts by the “Aquaman” actress on the second day of the witness stand in the defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
In the Fairfax County Court (Virginia), he accused the 35-year-old of having a “need for violence”. During an argument in 2015, she threw a vodka bottle at him. Part of his middle finger was severed. Heard has denied this allegation in the past.
Sound recordings of disputes between the ex-husbands were played in the court. During her frequent outbursts of anger, Heard verbally and physically attacked him, Depp said. He locked himself in the bedroom or bathroom to keep her at a distance. As the day before, Depp swore under oath that he had never hit Heard or any other woman.
He tried for a long time to save the relationship. But Heard has changed completely: “It wasn’t my girl. She had become my opponent.” Her public and “false” allegations that he abused her ruined his life, Depp testified. He lost “no less than everything”. The trial was scheduled to resume on Thursday with Heard’s attorneys questioning Depp.
Heard filed for divorce in 2016 after just 15 months of marriage. She accused the Hollywood star of domestic violence. In his civil lawsuit, Depp alleges that Heard made false statements in a 2018 commentary on domestic violence published by the Washington Post. This would have damaged his reputation. Depp is demanding around 50 million dollars (equivalent to a good 45 million euros) in damages for defamation.