Watch live as witnesses testify in Johnny Depp defamation case against Amber Heard
Johnny Depp’s multi-million defamation lawsuit against his former wife, Amber Heard, is continuing in Virginia. The court has heard testimony from the actor’s sister Christi Dembrowski, who also acted in part as his business manager, and his artist friend and neighbour Isaac Baruch.
Depp claims a 2018 article written by Heard in The Washington Post – in which she spoke about domestic violence towards women – implied Depp, her former husband, was an abuser.
Although the 35-year-old did not name the actor, lawyers for Depp say Heard’s allegations have made it difficult for the 58-year-old to land roles he previously did.
Depp is known for starring in films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Sweeney Todd and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Heard has appeared in titles including Aquaman and Drive Angry.
He is asking for $50m (£38.2m) in damages during the trial in Fairfax County’s district courthouse. Heard has meanwhile filed a counterclaim of defamation against Depp, who she divorced from in 2017, for nuisance.
Depp has previously lost a defamation case in the UK against British newspaperThe Sun regarding the claims in Heard’s 2018 article.
One of the many clips Patterson is asked to identify shows Depp in the elevator of the building on 21 May 2016, the day after his mother passed away and the day his lawyers told Heard he wanted to end the marriage.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 20:29
Mr Patterson testifies that he saw Heard several times at the building in 2016, but never interacted with Depp.
In footage of Depp in the building, Patterson says he would describe the actor as being “animated” and not angry.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 20:03
Mr Patterson has already been deposed and so is appearing in a pre-recorded video for the jury.
Brandon Patterson, general manager of the Eastern Columbia Building, testifying at Amber Heard’s defamation trial
(Law & Crime)
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 19:44
Next to testify will be Brandon Patterson, general manager of the Eastern Columbia Building in Downtown Los Angeles where most of the events occurred described by the previous witness, Isaac Baruch.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 19:36
Court resumes with news that the jury will be allowed to see security footage from the Eastern Columbia Building agreed to by both sides.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 19:33
ICYMI: Johnny Depp reacts to allegation he sexually assaulted Amber Heard with a liquor bottle
Johnny Depp reacts to allegation he assaulted Amber Heard with bottle
Amber Heard’s attorney Elaine Bredehoft claimed that Johnny Depp sexually assaulted her with a liquor bottle, in allegations made on day one of Depp’s multimillion dollar defamation lawsuit against Heard.Depp is suing Heard, whom he was once married to, over an article she wrote in 2018 which implied that he abused her during their relationship.“Some pretty horrendous things happened to [Heard]… he rips off her nightgown, he has her jammed up against a bar… he penetrates her with a liquor bottle,” Bredehoft said.Click here to sign up to our newsletters.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 19:30
After a brief redirect from Depp’s lawyers, the witness is told he is subject to recall and may be asked to testify again later in the trial.
Lunch is called until 2.30pm ET.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 18:20
Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft asks Baruch about Depp’s relationship with his former partner, singer Vanessa Paradis.
She then asks about text messages and Depp’s use of the word “c***”.
“He’s call me a c***,” Baruch replies.
Asking Baruch to review a text conversation, Bredehoft then asks: “Do you recall Mr. Depp ever telling you that he hoped that Amber’s rotting corpse is rotting in the f****** trunk of a Honda Civic?”
“Yeah, I’m seeing it here. So obviously it was written,” he replies.
In the texts, Depp says he thinks Heard ruins the life they had and he cannot bear to look at the building they all lived in and then decided to sell the apartments.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 18:17
Here’s video of the moment an emotional Baruch wept on the stand during cross-examination.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 18:06
Baruch testifies about why he is angry with Heard.
“About the phony pictures that were taken and put in tabloids? And about the fake narrative? And about the way that she’s trying to, got a fraudulent DV claim to extort and blackmail a man? Yeah, that kind of got me … frustrated, confused, angry.”
He begins crying on the stand and says that Depp’s family has been completely wrecked by the accusations.
“It’s not …. fair, it’s not right what she did and what happened. For so many people to get affected by this. It’s insane.”
Witness Isaac Baruch cries on the stand giving testimony during Johnny Depp’s defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard
(Law & Crime)
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 18:03