The Testimony At Johnny Depp's Trial Became The Object Of Ridicule From Netizens, Amber Heard: This Is Torture
JAKARTA - Amber Heard told the jury that she had been humiliated by the libel trial with her ex-husband Johnny Depp on Thursday, May 26 local time.
Heard was the last witness to be called in the trial, which has been taking place for the past six weeks in Fairfax, Virginia. Closing arguments will be made on Friday, May 27, and then the jury will begin deliberations, which are expected to continue into next week.
Depp accused Heard of ruining his career with false accusations of domestic violence and sexual assault. He has also filed a counter-suit for $100 million, alleging that Depp traumatized and damaged his career.
Heard spoke emotionally that his testimony was ridiculed on social media. "This is excruciating. This is a shame for any human to experience. It may be easy to forget that, but I am human. Even though Johnny promised that I deserved this, and he will do this, I don't deserve this," Heard told Variety on Friday, May 27.
In the final days of the trial, each side summoned their respective clients to the pulpit to provide brief rebuttal testimony.
On Wednesday, May 25, Depp again denied Heard's allegations. He also said that although the trial was not easy for anyone, the most important thing was that he told the truth.
In his testimony, Heard said Depp had mobilized millions of people to campaign against him. He also admitted to being harassed, insulted and threatened every day.
"People want to kill me and they tell me that every day. I'm not sitting in this courtroom laughing. I'm not sitting in this courtroom laughing, smiling and making cynical jokes. It's horrible," he said. Heard.
Heard said that he was not a saint and did not try to present himself as a saint. But he has the right to tell his story.
"I have the right as an American to talk about what happened to me, to have my story and the truth. I wish I could get my voice back. That's all I want," he said.
Depp filed a lawsuit over an opinion piece written by Heard in The Washington Post in 2018, in which he described himself as a public figure representing domestic violence.
He did not name Depp, but wrote that he had witnessed firsthand how institutions protect men accused of abuse.
During cross-examination, Depp's lawyer, Camille Vasquez, said the trial was difficult for Heard because his lies had been exposed to the world.
"I'm not lying about anything," Heard said.
Vasquez also accused Heard of leaking a video to TMZ in August 2016 that depicted Depp screaming and slamming cupboards.
Vasquez also accused Heard of warning the paparazzi that he would be in a Los Angeles County courthouse in May 2016 to file a domestic violence restraining order with bruises on his face.
Vasquez pointed to contradictory testimony from three witnesses who have come forward to speak on Depp's behalf in recent days, including his ex-girlfriend Kate Moss.
"I know how many people would come out and say anything for her. That's her strength," said Amber Heard.
"That's why I write opinions. I talk about the phenomenon, how many people will support him and will fall into his power. He is a very strong man and people like to curry favor with strong men," he continued.