Amber Heard leaves stand after tense cross-exam by Johnny Depp’s lawyers

0
102

NOTE: This article contains details and descriptions that are graphic and disturbing. Please read at your own discretion.

Amber Heard took the stand once again Tuesday to continue facing the intense cross-examination about her relationship with her former husband, actor Johnny Depp.

Heard faced the first hours of her cross-examination Monday, as Depp’s lawyers tried to poke holes in her earlier claims about alleged physical and sexual abuse at the hands of Depp.

The couple split in 2016, but have been battling it out in various courtrooms since, as each tries to paint themselves as the bigger victim in the relationship.

Read more:

Amber Heard cross-examination begins in defamation trial — ‘I could never hurt Johnny’

This particular trial stems from an op-ed piece Heard wrote for The Washington Post in 2018, in which she claimed she had been abused, but never mentioned Depp by name.

Depp is suing Heard for US$50 million, while Heard is countersuing her former partner for US$100 million.

0:48Heard testifies about Depp’s allegations that she defecated on his side of bed as a prank: ‘that’s disgusting’

Heard testifies about Depp’s allegations that she defecated on his side of bed as a prank: ‘that’s disgusting’

As Heard returned to the stand Tuesday, she was asked about the beginnings of her relationship with Depp. Again, Heard told the jury the first year together was “magic.”

Actors Amber Heard and Johnny Depp watch as the jury comes into the courtroom after a lunch break at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 17, 2022.

Getty

However, tensions in the courtroom quickly rose as one of Depp’s lawyers, Camille Vasquez, interrogated Heard about an alleged sexual assault in Australia in 2015.

In her earlier testimony, Heard claimed Depp forcibly penetrated her with a glass liquor bottle. She testified Depp had taken 8-10 MDMA pills at the time of the alleged sexual assault.

Depp, alternatively, claimed he was the victim of assault in Australia. He testified Heard severed the tip of his finger when she threw a glass bottle at his hand.

Read more:

TikTok creators take aim at Amber Heard with degrading memes amid Johnny Depp trial

Depp’s lawyer spent a large chunk of time trying to disprove Heard’s testimony, often comparing her previous testimonies.

Through exhibit after exhibit of evidence, Vasquez cross-examined Heard, attempting to poke holes in her claims.

Vasquez asked Heard about scars on her arm which Heard claimed she obtained during the alleged sexual assault in Australia. Vasquez implied Heard had a history of self-harm and caused the scars herself.

Depp’s lawyer also read several pages from the couple’s “love journal,” where Depp and Heard wrote many love letters to each other throughout their relationship. In various entries, Heard apologizes for “hurting” Depp, asks why they fight so often and proclaims her love for the actor.

Evidence of the “love journal” showing notes from US actress Amber Heard, which appeared on a screen during a defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 17, 2022.

Getty

Heard was asked about Depp’s drug and alcohol use. She has testified several times that Depp has numerous substance abuse issues. Depp claims he has never been addicted to alcohol or drugs (with the exception of Roxicodone, for which he received medical treatment).

Trending Stories

B.C. dad spreads love, acceptance after only 1 child came to his son’s birthday

Canada’s top court says voluntary extreme intoxication a defence in violent crimes

Heard testified she had only taken drugs with Depp twice in their relationship, on a trip to the Hicksville Trailer Palace in California and on a flight to Russia.

Vasquez asked Heard about an email containing what Heard claimed was a tentative schedule for the couple’s wedding. The email included a scheduled time for “drugs and music.”

Vasquez also read a text sent by Heard the day before her 30th birthday where she asks Depp to bring wine “and maybe a joint.”

Read more:

Johnny Depp’s agent says Amber Heard op-ed piece on abuse ‘catastrophic’

A new audio clip was also presented in court featuring another argument between the couple.

Heard, laughing, calls Depp a “sellout” and a “joke,” mocking his career. She also tells Depp to “suck my d—k” in the clip.

“Your jealousy is so tragic,” Depp said in the audio recording. He mocks Heard in return with a prolonged chant of “Aquaman!”

An old deposition of Heard was played in court following the day’s lunch break. In the clip, Heard — who is seen eating a snack while being questioned — is played audio of Depp accusing her of kicking a bathroom door into his head.

“I remember hitting you as a response to the door thing,” Heard said in the audio clip, also claiming Depp had pressed the door over her toes. Heard is visually dismissive in the clip, laughing at times.

In court Tuesday, Heard testified she was laughing because of the lawyers on the other side of the table, not visible in the recording. She claimed they were the dismissive ones and that they were “rolling their eyes” at her, causing her to have that reaction.

On Monday, Vasquez, attempted to paint Heard as a duplicitous witness, pointing to various photographs and television clips that were taken around the times of alleged abuse, arguing they did not show any visible injuries.

This combination of pictures created on May 16, 2022, shows U.S. actress Amber Heard as she testifies in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Va.

Steve Helber / Getty Images

Heard defended herself, saying that she was often able to cover up the markings with makeup and reduce swelling with ice.

Heard also denied leaking photos of said injuries, which made their way to the cover of People Magazine in 2016. She also said she was not the one who leaked — the day before the deposition in her divorce settlement — a video of Depp smashing cabinets in a drunken rage.

2:45Court shown Amber Heard’s secret recording of Johnny Depp violently smashing cupboards and glasses

Court shown Amber Heard’s secret recording of Johnny Depp violently smashing cupboards and glasses – Apr 21, 2022

Throughout Monday’s testimony, Heard insisted she “never wanted to hurt Johnny,” and said she intentionally tried to hide any physical injuries she sustained at the hands of Depp in an effort to “protect” him.

“All I have is my name. All I have is my integrity, and that is what he tried to take from me,” she said. She added that, in the divorce, she was “not interested in Johnny’s money.”

Read more:

Amber Heard testifies alleged Johnny Depp violence: ‘I’ve never been so scared in my life’

However, Depp’s lawyers argued that Heard was, in fact, out for Depp’s money, highlighting the fact that she has yet to make good on the charity donations she promised from her $7-million divorce settlement.

US actor Johnny Depp returns to the courtroom after a break at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, May 17, 2022.

Getty

Heard had publicly promised to split the proceeds between two charities — the American Civil Liberties Union and a California children’s hospital.

“I use ‘pledge’ and ‘donation’ synonymously,” Heard testified.

“I don’t,” replied Vasquez.

Heard told the court she hasn’t been able to parcel out the money yet “because Johnny sued me.”

Earlier in the proceedings, which began on April 12 and will wrap up on May 27, Depp denied many of the allegations, insisting that he is a “Southern gentleman” and that he had not been addicted to alcohol or illicit drugs.

This week, the jury will also hear from Heard’s sister, Whitney Henriquez, as well as actor Ellen Barkin, who was in a brief relationship with Depp during the 1990s.

Depp is also expected to be called back to the witness stand as part of Heard’s case.

© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.