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The "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor, 58, is
suing Heard for $50 million, saying she defamed him when she
claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse. Heard, 36, has
countersued for $100 million, arguing that Depp smeared her by
calling her a liar.
On Monday, she told jurors it was "torture" to see her claims
being questioned and to have to defend herself to the public.
"I want to move on," she said through tears. "I want Johnny to
move on too. I want him to leave me alone."
Depp's attorneys began their attempt to discredit her claims by
introducing photographs of Heard on red carpets and on "The
James Corden Show" during their relationship.
The public appearances took place shortly after occasions that
Heard said Depp had struck her with his hands, on which he
usually wore heavy rings, and the pictures appeared to reveal no
injuries.
Heard said she did suffer harm, and at one point thought her
nose was broken, but the injuries were either not severe enough
to be visible or were covered by makeup. She said she used ice
to reduce swelling.
Depp has testified that he never hit Heard and argued that she
was the abuser in their relationship. He said she threw a vodka
bottle at him in early 2015, severing the top of his right
middle finger.
Heard said she did not cause the finger injury and said she only
hit him to defend herself or her sister.
The actors wed in February 2015 and their divorce was finalized
about two years later.
The legal case centers on a December 2018 opinion piece by Heard
that appeared in the Washington Post. The article never
mentioned Depp by name, but his lawyer told jurors it was clear
Heard was referencing him.
Depp, once among Hollywood's biggest stars, said Heard's
allegations cost him "everything." A new "Pirates of the
Caribbean" movie was put on hold, and Depp was replaced in the
"Fantastic Beasts" film franchise, a "Harry Potter" spinoff.
Heard's attorneys have argued that she told the truth and that
her opinion was protected free speech under the U.S.
Constitution's First Amendment.
Closing arguments are scheduled for May 27.
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 that he had repeatedly assaulted Heard.
Depp's lawyers filed the case in Fairfax County, Virginia,
because the Washington Post is printed there. The newspaper is
not a defendant.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Leslie Adler)
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