Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard: The Actress’s Defense’s Sudden Change in Strategy

BBC News Brazil

Amber Heard’s lawyers will not call Johnny Depp to testify, assured a source close to the American actress, marking a turning point in her defense strategy amid the trial that has been occupying the celebrity news.

Heard’s team planned to subpoena Depp to testify again, but, without explanation, changed his mind. Depp, 58, sued his ex-wife for defamation in a 2018 column she wrote for The Washington Post, in which she claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse without naming names. The actor asks for US$ 50 million (R$ 240 million).

For his part, Heard, 36, filed a counterclaim — that is, he sues Depp back — for double the amount. This week is expected to conclude the phase of depositions and arguments from both parties. The jury will then deliberate until a verdict is reached.

LONG LIST OF WITNESSES

British supermodel Kate Moss, who was romantically involved with Depp, is among the group of witnesses who will testify this week. On Monday (23), the court in Fairfax, Virginia (USA), heard several witnesses requested by Heard’s team, including psychologist David Spiegel.

Spiegel testified that Depp “has behaviors consistent with someone suffering from a substance use disorder as well as a perpetrator of domestic violence”. Between 40% and 60% of domestic violence cases occur under the influence of alcohol or substance use disorders, Spiegel told the jury.

For their part, Depp’s lawyers focused on downplaying that argument, claiming that Spiegel had reached these conclusions without having had direct contact with Depp. Also testified on Monday was a hand surgeon who said it was unlikely that Depp’s finger was cut during an altercation with Heard in Australia, as he claimed.

Depp said his index finger was injured when Heard threw a bottle of vodka at him. The jury saw graphic images of Depp’s injured finger, while Richard Moore said the damage was more consistent with an injury caused by a closed door. Moore did not examine Depp at the time of the injury.

OPPOSITE ARGUMENTS

Heard’s team is expected to wrap up their argument earlier in the week. After that, Depp’s team will have their last chance to try to convince the jury. Spiegel and Moore are just two of a string of experts called to testify. A psychologist, summoned by Depp’s team, testified that Heard suffered from two personality disorders.

Another, convened by Heard’s team, rejected the argument and claimed that Heard suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome. Both Heard and Depp testified during this weeks-long court battle, giving radically different views of their brief and tempestuous marriage.

Heard said that Depp was prone to “excessive drug and alcohol use, easily exploded with feelings of jealousy, and was often consumed by violent rages”. Depp, for his part, claimed he was a victim of the volatile character changes, telling the jury that he routinely suffered “verbal, emotional and physical abuse” from the actress.