Menu
Search
Subscribe
Small Business

‘He Mentioned, She Mentioned,’ Starring Johnny Depp and Amber Heard

By: admin

Date:


‘He Mentioned, She Mentioned,’ Starring Johnny Depp and Amber Heard

On April 11, the extremely publicized defamation trial between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife, Amber Heard, kicked off in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Depp has already taken the stand for hours of soft-spoken testimony. Heard is scheduled to testify someday later throughout the six-week proceedings. Additionally on the star-studded potential witness listing are James Franco, Paul Bettany, Ellen Barkin, and Elon Musk (if he isn’t too busy shopping for Twitter).

Jury obligation or film premiere? Between the celebrities, followers posted up exterior the courtroom, and a set of info with the makings of an “E True Hollywood Story,” this high-profile defamation trial continues to make headlines. If you wish to be a spectator, wristbands can be found on the court docket on a first-come, first-serve foundation. Do they promote popcorn?

Competing Defamation Claims

Depp filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit in opposition to Heard alleging statements she made in a 2018 opinion piece for the Washington Submit falsely implied he was a home abuser. Though the piece didn’t point out Depp by identify, his attorneys argue the piece clearly references him and triggered large harm to Depp’s appearing profession and his repute.

To not be outdone, Heard filed a $100 million counterclaim alleging Depp engaged in an ongoing smear marketing campaign and defamed her a number of instances by calling her a liar. The trial will even tackle her counterclaim.

Did Depp or Heard Commit Defamation?

As a result of Depp’s lawsuit relies on the Washington Submit piece, the trial is happening in Virginia, the place the newspaper is printed. To set up defamation in Virginia, Depp should show with clear and convincing proof:

  • Heard’s statements in opposition to him have been printed
  • Depp’s repute and profession suffered due to the false and defamatory statements in Heard’s op-ed
  • Heard printed her op-ed with “precise malice” figuring out her allegations of home abuse have been false

There is no dispute the statements have been printed. Depp asserts he misplaced his long-running main function as “Captain Jack Sparrow” in Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise on account of the Washington Submit piece. He argues that Heard knew her allegations have been unfaithful and primarily based on lies she instructed to acquire a false restraining order in opposition to him in 2016. Depp testified he was the sufferer of home violence dedicated by Heard and recounted that the highest of his finger was reduce when Heard threw a vodka bottle at him.

Heard’s attorneys preserve that Depp abused her on a number of events, usually whereas underneath the affect of medication and alcohol. Additionally they offered recordings of Depp kicking and punching cupboards in his residence.

Their former marriage counselor additionally mentioned in her testimony that she believed Depp and Heard engaged in “mutual abuse.”

Finally, the result of this case comes all the way down to who the jury believes.

All of the Courtroom’s a Stage…

The courtroom has usually been in comparison with the theater. The trial is a scripted manufacturing, the decision-makers are the viewers, and attorneys know that appearing can be utilized (their very own appearing, the efficiency of the plaintiff and defendant, and many others.) to win. In a defamation case involving actors recognized for enjoying “Edward Scissorhands” and “Princess Mera” in “Aquaman,” is it doable to win the Oscar for courtroom theatrics with out trying like film stars competing for the function of a lifetime?

A choose in the UK beforehand dominated Heard’s claims in opposition to Depp have been true in Depp’s libel case in opposition to The Solar newspaper in 2020. The drama will certainly proceed to unfold earlier than a choice is made within the Fairfax Circuit Courtroom.

Associated Assets:

You Don’t Have To Remedy This on Your Personal – Get a Lawyer’s Assist

Assembly with a lawyer may help you perceive your choices and the way to greatest shield your rights. Go to our lawyer listing to discover a lawyer close to you who may help.