Tearful Amber Heard testifies ex-husband Johnny Depp turned violent

Might 4 (Reuters) – “Aquaman” actor Amber Heard choked again tears on Wednesday as she testified that ex-husband Johnny Depp bodily abused her, beginning with slaps after she laughed at one among his tattoos and escalating to a “cavity search” of her physique for cocaine.

Heard took the witness stand for the primary time in a broadly adopted U.S. defamation case introduced by Depp, saying the actors had a “magical” relationship till it turned violent.

Depp’s first bodily outburst, Heard stated, got here after she requested what was written on one among his pale tattoos. She stated he replied “Wino,” and she or he laughed, considering it was a joke.

“He slapped me throughout the face,” Heard stated. “I did not know what was happening. I simply stared at him.”

Heard stated he slapped her twice extra and stated “you suppose it is humorous, bitch?”

Depp, 58, testified earlier within the trial that he by no means hit Heard and that she was the one who was the abuser.

The star of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies and others is suing Heard, 36, for $50 million, saying she defamed him when she claimed she was a sufferer of home abuse. Heard has counter-sued for $100 million, saying Depp smeared her by calling her a liar.

Heard, who alternated between crying and talking calmly, stated she stayed with Depp as a result of she needed to imagine his apologies and guarantees to by no means hit her.

However, Heard stated, Depp assaulted her “a number of occasions,” often when he was consuming or utilizing medication. Throughout a weekend away with mates in Might 2013, Heard stated, Depp grew to become indignant and accused her of inviting what he perceived as suggestive advances from one other girl.

That night, Heard stated Depp tore her costume, ripped off her underwear and caught his fingers “inside” her.

“He proceeds to do a cavity search,” she stated. “He is on the lookout for his medication, his cocaine.”

Earlier, psychologist Daybreak Hughes testified that Heard had informed her that Depp had put his fingers up her vagina to seek for cocaine.

The case hinges on a December 2018 opinion piece she authored within the Washington Publish. The article by no means talked about Depp by identify, however his lawyer informed jurors it was clear Heard was referencing him. The couple’s divorce was finalized in 2017 after lower than two years of marriage. read more

Depp, as soon as among the many greatest stars in Hollywood, stated Heard’s allegations price him “all the pieces.” A brand new “Pirates” film was placed on maintain, and Depp was changed within the “Implausible Beasts” movie franchise, a “Harry Potter” spinoff.

In his earlier testimony, Depp stated the combat over the “Wino” tattoo, which was initially the identify of former girlfriend Winona Ryder, “did not occur.”

He stated Heard was the one who grew to become bodily aggressive throughout their relationship, at one level throwing a vodka bottle that severed the highest of his proper center finger. His legal professionals confirmed proof from Depp’s hospital go to to his finger surgically ready. Jurors additionally heard recordings of arguments between the 2, and Depp stated her conduct left him “damaged.”

Heard has denied that she injured Depp’s finger. Her attorneys have argued that she informed the reality within the Washington Publish piece and that her opinion was protected free speech beneath the U.S. Structure’s First Modification.

A state court docket choose in Virginia’s Fairfax County, outdoors the nation’s capital, is overseeing the trial, which is predicted to final till late Might.

Lower than two years in the past, Depp misplaced a libel case in opposition to The Solar, a British tabloid that labeled him a “spouse beater.” A London Excessive Court docket choose dominated he had repeatedly assaulted Heard.

Depp’s legal professionals have stated they filed the U.S. case in Fairfax County as a result of the Washington Publish is printed there. The newspaper is just not a defendant.

Reporting by Lisa Richwine;
Modifying by Alistair Bell, Will Dunham and Aurora Ellis

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.