Actor Johnny Depp testified on Tuesday that he never struck his ex-wife Amber Heard and was challenging her accusations in a $50 million defamation case to correct the public's perception and stand up for his children.
Speaking softly and slowly for nearly three hours, Depp said in a Virginia courtroom that it was a "complete shock" about six years ago when Heard "made some quite heinous and disturbing" allegations that he became violent during their relationship.
"Never did I myself reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way, nor have I ever struck any woman in my life," said Depp, who wore a dark suit with his hair in a ponytail.
"I felt it my responsibility to stand up not only for myself in that instance but stand up for my children," the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star said. His two children from a previous relationship were in high school at the time.
"It's very strange when one day you’re Cinderella so to speak, and then in 0.6 seconds you’re Quasimodo," added Depp, who is set to return to the witness stand on Wednesday, when he is expected to face a cross-examination from Heard's legal team.
Depp, 58, alleges Heard, 35, defamed him when she penned a December 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse. He filed a $50 million lawsuit against Heard in 2018.
The article never mentioned Depp by name, but Depp lawyer Benjamin Chew told jurors it was clear Heard was referencing the Hollywood leading man.
Attorneys for Heard, also an actor, have argued she told the truth and that her opinion was protected as free speech under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. In opening arguments, Heard's attorneys said Depp physically and sexually assaulted her while abusing drugs and alcohol.
A state court judge in Fairfax County, Virginia, is overseeing the trial, which is in its second week and is expected to last for six weeks.
On Tuesday, Depp's lawyers asked him about his movie career and his early interactions with Heard on the set of 2011 film "The Rum Diary." Depp described her at that time as sweet, intelligent and funny.
The actor also detailed his parents' tumultuous relationship.
Depp said his parents frequently argued and his mother physically abused her children. Depp said his father never fought physically with his mother but punched a wall as many as three times, once breaking his hand. His father left the family when Depp was 15, the actor said.
By that time, Depp had "done all the drugs I was aware of," he said. He said he became addicted to opiates after he was injured on the set of the fourth "Pirates" film but recovered from that dependency.
Depp said Heard "grossly embellished" his substance use. "A lot of it is just plainly false," he said. "I think it was an easy target for her to hit."
Heard watched the testimony with little expression while Depp spoke, occasionally tilting her head or jotting notes.
Less than two years ago, Depp lost a libel case against The Sun, a British tabloid that labeled him a “wife beater." A London High Court judge ruled he had repeatedly assaulted Heard and put her in fear for her life.
In the U.S. case, Depp and Heard both submitted long lists of potential witnesses they may call, including Heard’s ex-boyfriend and Tesla TSLA.O Chief Executive Elon Musk and actor James Franco.
Depp’s lawyers have said they filed the case in Fairfax County, outside the District of Columbia, because the Washington Post is printed at a facility there. The Washington Post is not a defendant in the case.
The United States is a difficult forum for libel plaintiffs, especially public figures like Depp, who must prove by clear and convincing evidence that Heard knowingly made false claims.
Heard, known for roles in "Aquaman" and "Justice League," has brought her own libel claim against Depp, saying he smeared her by calling her a liar.
Heard's counterclaim, seeking $100 million in damages, will be decided as part of the trial.
Reuters
Wed Apr 20 2022
Actor Johnny Depp testifies at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse as his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard continues, in Fairfax, Virginia, U.S., April 19, 2022. - REUTERS
Hari dialog tamadun 'jambatan penghubung' masyarakat
Pewartaan tanggal 10 Jun sebagai Hari Antarabangsa Dialog Tamadun oleh Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNGA) sempena sesi perhimpunan agung ke-78 berperanan penting dalam menjadi jambatan penghubung buat masyarakat global yang dinamik.
Warisan Dunia Pertubuhan Pendidikan, Sains dan Kebudayaan PBB (UNESCO) amat mengalu-alukan pengisytiharan hari berkenaan untuk merapatkan jurang masyarakat dunia yang pelbagai dengan budaya yang berbeza khusus sekali dalam era ketamadun.
Warisan Dunia Pertubuhan Pendidikan, Sains dan Kebudayaan PBB (UNESCO) amat mengalu-alukan pengisytiharan hari berkenaan untuk merapatkan jurang masyarakat dunia yang pelbagai dengan budaya yang berbeza khusus sekali dalam era ketamadun.
Tentera Korea Utara ceroboh sempadan Korea Selatan
Tentera Korea Selatan melepaskan tembakan amaran selepas beberapa beberapa askar Korea Utara menceroboh sempadan negara itu.
Kesediaan hamas setuju disifatkan satu harapan - Blinken
Hamas menyambut baik resolusi yang diluluskan Majlis Keselamatan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) berhubung cadangan Amerika Syarikat untuk pelaksanaan gencatan senjata kekal dan pembebasan tahanan di Gaza.
[TERKINI] Anak Presiden AS, Hunter Biden didapati bersalah
Hunter Biden didapati bersalah atas tiga pertuduhan berkaitan pemilikan senjata api haram dan di bawah pengaruh dadah.
Pindaan jadual penerbangan pulang hanya berkaitan isu fiqh wanita, kesihatan
Pengarah Operasi Mekah, Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) 1445H/2024M, Rozila Omar Ali maklumkan, sebarang perubahan terhadap jadual penerbangan (KT) pulang jemaah haji hanya dilakukan jika ia ada berkaitan dengan masalah kesihatan dan fiqh wanita.
Naib Presiden Malawi, 9 lain disahkan terkorban
Presiden Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera dalam kenyataan pada Selasa memaklumkan serpihan bangkai pesawat telah ditemui dan kesemua mangsa tidak terselamat.
[TERKINI] Bersatu hantar surat kepada 6 MP, 2 ADUN dalam masa terdekat
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) akan menghantar surat kepada enam Ahli Parlimen dan dua Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) berhubung status keahlian mereka yang sudah terhenti dalam masa sehari dua lagi.
Calon Kerajaan Perpaduan diumum pada Rabu
Calon yang akan mewakili Kerajaan Perpaduan pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sungai Bakap akan diumumkan pada 9 malam Rabu.
Malaysia banding, teliti kekuatan negara pesaing dan ubah
Sistem pendidikan perlu sentiasa segera diintegrasikan dengan keperluan dan kesesuaian zaman. Demikian kata Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ketika menyampaikan ucapan pada malam Anugerah Kecemerlangan Industri (AKI) 2024 pada Selasa yang mana ia dapat menjamin Malaysia terus kompetitif di peringkat global khusus sekali dalam sektor industri dan perdagangan. Ujarnya, Malaysia perlu mengenal pasti kekuatan negara pesaing demi memastikan perubahan sewajarnya dilaksanakan.
Lebih 11 juta liter diesel dirampas setakat 10 Jun - KPDN
Rampasan tersebut dibuat menerusi Ops Tiris 3.0 dengan kerjasama agensi strategik termasuk Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM); Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) serta Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM).
Amber Heard bayar saman, Johnny Depp derma semua pada rumah kebajikan
Heard dilaporkan media tempatan telah membayar sebanyak RM4.6 juta seperti yang diarahkan oleh mahkamah kepada Depp.
Amber Heard seronok duduk Sepanyol, sudah move on daripada Johnny Depp
Setelah melalui episod perceraian dan perseteruan di mahkamah yang tidak menyebelahinya, Amber Heard membawa diri berpindah ke Sepanyol.
Johnny Depp terima kontrak termahal dalam sejarah jenama Dior
Christian Dior dilaporkan telah memperbaharui kontrak luar biasa dengan pesohor hiburan penuh kontroversi, Johnny Depp.
Amber Heard setuju bayar AS$1 juta, selesai saman fitnah terhadap Johnny Depp
Heard bagaimanapun berkata keputusan itu "bukan tanda bersetuju", sebaliknya kerana dia "hilang kepercayaan terhadap sistem perundangan Amerika Syarikat".
Amber Heard gagal cubaan dapatkan perbicaraan baharu
Peguam Heard memfailkan permohonan mahkamah untuk membatalkan keputusan kes dan mengisytiharkan perbicaraan silap atas alasan juri berat sebelah.
Amber Heard didakwa semakin 'sengkek', dilihat beli-belah baju murah
Menerusi gambar-gambar yang dirakam orang awam, Amber dilihat sedang membelek beberapa pakaian yang dipamerkan di pusat beli-belah berkenaan.
Bukti rakaman 'Amber VS Johnny' didedahkan 25 Jun ini
Saksikan "Amber VS Johnny" pada 25 Jun ini, jam 9.55 malam di saluran Discovery Channel.
Peguam Johnny Depp jadi buruan Hollywood
Peguam Johnny Depp, Camille Vasquez dilaporkan menerima banyak tawaran dari Hollywood selepas berjaya mencuri perhatian semasa perbicaraan saman malu antara anak guamnya dan aktres Amber Heard.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Tiada jalan kembali ke Hollywood untuk Amber Heard - Pakar perhubungan awam
Perbicaraan dramatik di mahkamah selama enam minggu itu menimbulkan pelbagai persoalan tentang kerjayanya dan situasi kewangannya, termasuk kemungkinan hilang pendapatan sehingga AS$50 juta.