Johnny Depp’s $50 million dollar defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard is heating up in court
In opening arguments Depp’s team claimed Amber Heard destroyed his life with “a lie” and that she is “obsessed” with her image.
But Heard’s team argued the Pirates of the Carribean star brought her to court simply to “destroy her”.
Heard’s lawyers say they’ll show how Depp was an “obsessed ex-husband” who engaged in drug and alcohol abuse” – a statement Depp’s lawyers firmly denies.
Witnesses testify
The first witness called for the trial was Depp’s older sister, Christi Dembrowski, who faced a barrage of questions from Heard’s lawyers about Depp’s alcohol and drug use.
Close friend to Depp, Isaac Baruch told the court that he has previously seen the couple argue but never witnessed any physical violence.
Baruch is the second witness called in the trial over Depp’s allegations that Heard falsely portrayed him as a domestic abuser.
Baruch says he is not angry, and only wants this all to be resolved quickly.
Baruch adds that Depp has financially supported him, providing him with places to live and giving him about A$130,000 over the years.
“His family has been completely wrecked by all of this stuff, and it’s not fair,” Baruch said. “It’s not right, what she did. … It’s insane.”
Heard claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse in an article and the case was brought forward.
In terms of the opinion piece written by Heard – Depp says the article – which does not mention him by name – is defamatory and derailed his career.
But a lawyer on her team says the Hollywood star is telling the truth.
The 58 year old has denied any abuse and has sued his ex-wife for $50 million dollars
Heard has in turn, sued him, with a $100 million counterclaim.
The trial underway in a Virginia court is expected to last up to six weeks.
