Johnny Depp trial – live: Witness ejected from court as Amber Heard called ‘scum’ in ex’s texts – The Independent

Watch live as testimony continues for Johnny Depp defamation case against Amber Heard

The trial for Johnny Depp’s defamation lawsuit against former wife, Amber Heard, has adjourned until Monday after a third day of testimony in Virginia.

On Thursday, witness Gina Deuters, a friend of Depp’s, had her testimony struck from the record and was dismissed after admitting she had seen clips of the trial online. Instead video evidence from Dr David Kipper who treated the actor for addiction was played.

Earlier, recorded depositions were shown from Heard’s former assistant Kate James, and the couple’s marriage counsellor Dr Laurel Anderson who detailed their “mutual abuse”.

Depp claims a 2018 article about domestic violence towards women, written by Heard, implied he was an abuser during their relationship. Although she did not name him, lawyers claim her allegations have made it difficult for the actor to land movie roles.

He is asking for $50m (£38.2m) in damages during the trial in Fairfax County’s district courthouse. Heard has filed a counterclaim against Depp for nuisance.

Depp has previously lost a defamation case in the UK againstThe Sun about the same article by Heard.

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Depp and Heard’s penthouse lifestyle

During testimony on day two of evidence in the defamation case against Amber Heard brought by her ex-husband Johnny Depp, much was made of the art deco building in which the couple lived.

Between 2013 and 2016 Depp owned five penthouses on the top floor of the historic Eastern Columbia Building on Broadway in the theatre district of Downtown Los Angeles.

Testifying on Wednesday were Depp’s longtime friend and neighbour, Isaac Baruch, and the general manager of the building, Brandon Patterson.

Here’s why their luxury home plays such an important part in the case.

Oliver O’Connell15 April 2022 12:15

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ICYMI: ‘The whole thing is insane’

In the defamation case against Amber Heard brought by her ex-husband Johnny Depp, a former neighbour of the couple became emotional during extensive testimony about his friendship with the pair.

Isaac Baruch, who first met Depp as a teenager in Florida and became his longtime friend, lived in one of the five penthouse lofts at the Eastern Columbia Building in Downtown Los Angeles owned by the actor.

At one point on Wednesday, he was asked by Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft if he was angry with her client given all that unfolded as the couple broke up and allegations were made against Depp.

Oliver O’Connell15 April 2022 11:30

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Heard lawyers zero in on Depp’s drug and alcohol use

Attorneys for Amber Heard, the ex-wife of Johnny Depp, zeroed in on the movie star’s drug and alcohol use Wednesday as they defended her from Depp’s allegations that she falsely portrayed him as a domestic abuser.

Heard lawyer J. Benjamin Rottenborn resumed his cross-examination of Depp’s older sister, Christi Dembrowski, focusing on a February 2014 text exchange between Heard and Dembrowski.

Oliver O’Connell15 April 2022 10:45

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ICYMI: Depp’s friend grilled over bruises on Heard’s face

A friend of Johnny Depp testified as a witness on day three of the defamation trial opposing Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Isaac Baruch was called to testify on Wednedsay (13 April) in Fairfax, Virginia. He took the stand after cross-examination wrapped up for Mr Depp’s sister Christi Dembrowski.

Mr Baruch said he first got to know Mr Depp when both were teenagers in Florida, playing in bands. He testified for a couple of hours, giving colorful testimony that at times drew smiles and laughs from others in the courthouse – including Mr Depp and Ms Heard themselves.

Oliver O’Connell15 April 2022 10:00

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How we got here: Depp and Heard – a timeline of their relationship

As Depp’s $50m defamation lawsuit gets underway in Virginia, Clémence Michallon looks at the former couple’s history, together and apart.

Oliver O’Connell15 April 2022 09:15

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Piers Morgan calls Heard and Depp ‘supreme narcissists’

In an opinion column for the New York Post, Morgan wrote: “I can honestly say that the number of f***s I give about this shamelessly deluded and self-obsessed pair of whiny wastrels could be written on the back of Mycoplasma genitalium, the planet’s smallest living organism.”

Louis Chilton has the story.

Oliver O’Connell15 April 2022 08:30

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Depp’s sister says family was ‘devastated’ with the marriage

Johnny Depp’s sister says Amber Heard called him “old and fat” and that the actor’s family was “devastated” at his marriage to her.

Christi Dembrowski made the claims as she took the stand as the first witness in the multi-million dollar defamation trial in Virginia.

Oliver O’Connell15 April 2022 07:00

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Depp smirks as court hears he’s obsessed with Elon Musk

The actor appeared to stifle a laugh during opening statements in the case, when Ms Heard’s lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, told the civil jury of 11 people that “Johny Depp is obsessed with Elon Musk”.

Oliver O’Connell15 April 2022 06:15

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Opening statement: Heard accuses Depp of sexual assault with liquor bottle

Explosive new allegations have been made by Amber Heard about her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, during the opening arguments of his $50m defamation trial.

Ms Heard’s attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, claimed that Mr Depp sexually assaulted Heard using a liquor bottle during a black-out drunk episode.

Mr Depp was visibly skeptical as Ms Bredehoft made the claims, and shook his head “no” after her comments.

Oliver O’Connell15 April 2022 05:30

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Opening statement: Depp team says Heard is compulsive liar

The legal team representing Johnny Depp in the defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard has made their opening statements, with Mr Depp’s attorneys painting Ms Heard as a compulsive and chronic liar who used the allegations she made against the actor as a means to advance her own career.

They claimed she wanted to portray herself as a heroic survivor of abuse.

The attorneys also noted Mr Depp’s drug and alcohol use, but argued that a substance abuse problem does not prove that he ever hurt Ms Heard.

Oliver O’Connell15 April 2022 04:45