This Tuesday, in Fairfax, Virginia, trial for defamation began Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard. The ex-partner prepares to clash over a 2018 op-ed Amber wrote for Washington Post where she states that she suffered domestic and sexual violence.
However, the actor, who is not named in the article, affirms that this piece had serious repercussions on his career due to the “clear implication” that he was the abuser the actress spoke of. Besides, Depp alleges that his Amber was the real author of the violent episodes that marked their relationship.
In opening arguments at trial, Amber Heard’s attorney, Ben Rottenborn claimed that the article was indeed about Depp, adding that the actress was sexually assaulted.
“You will hear in the most graphic and horrific terms about the violence he suffered. You will hear that directly from her. She’s going to take the stand and tell them.”Rottenborn told the jury.
Johnny Depp denies ex-wife Amber Heard’s sexual assault accusations
On the other hand, a Depp spokesman denied the allegations and said that the actor believes that it is not a coincidence that they are only now coming to light.
“These fictitious claims were never made at the start of the Amber allegations in 2016, and they only emerged advantageously years later once she was sued for defamation after pointing out in her op-ed that she was a victim of ‘sexual violence,’” a spokesman for the actor told People in a statement.
The statement continued: “AND This follows a pattern of their elaborate and erroneous claims that have continued to change and evolve over time for the purpose of impressing Hollywood and that Amber has mastered and used to exploit a serious social movement.”
During the opening statements of the trial, Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, accused Heard of fabricating the “false accusations” to boost her career in light of the #MeToo movement at the time.