Amber Heard returns to the stand Monday after the defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp resumes for the fifth week after a brief pause
High profile trial between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard resumes for the fifth week after a brief pause.
Depp is suing his ex-wife Amber Heard for libel in the US state of Virginia, over an article she wrote for the Washington Post in 2018.
In the article, she described surviving domestic violence, without mentioning Depp by name.
The Virginia Court heard that Aquaman star Amber Heard feared her ex-husband Johnny Depp would accidentally kill her during an alleged assault on their honeymoon.
36-year-old Heard painted a picture of the actor as an abuser plagued by drug addiction, jealousy and self-harm.
In court on Monday, Heard broke down in tears telling jurors that she believed she’d likely “not survive” if she had remained married to Depp.
Heard accused Depp of repeated instances of physical abuse telling the court it was the “worst and most painful” thing she’s ever gone through.
The court was shown a series of photos of bruises and marks on her face.
Heard testifies, “I don’t want anything from him, just don’t call me a liar.”
“I want to move on. I want Johnny to move on too,” she says.
Cross-examination from Mr Depp’s attorneys is expected to take place soon.
Cross-examination of Depp
Depp’s attorney presented Heard with numerous photos of her following incidents of alleged abuse, asking whether she could see any visible signs of injury.
“None that you can see,” Heard says multiple times.
The attorney pointed out Heard’s deposition testimony stating that Depp frequently wore rings, then asked about photos after allegedly being hit in the face by Depp.
Heard say she wore makeup in several photos and she used ice to reduce swelling on her injuries.
Depp’s attorney also replayed audio where Heard tells Depp he should tell the world he was a domestic abuse victim and that it was a “fair fight.”
“I said that to the man who beat me up, yes,” Heard said. “I thought it was preposterous.”
Heard was then asked, “And the man you beat up numerous times?”
“I could never hurt Johnny,” Heard replies.
The first day of cross-examination concludes on Heard charity contention
During her testimony, Heard admitted she has not yet donated the entirety of her $7 million settlement to the American Civil Liberties Union and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
She says this was because Depp filed the $50 million suit against her but that she intends on resuming donations in the future.
Amanda Gunn contributed to this report.
