Johnny Depp’s defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard continued in Fairfax, Virginia, with further video testimony in court. Herd sued Depp for $ 50 million (38 38.2 million) for implying that he had abused her in a 2018 Washington Post article. Although she did not name him, she claims that her allegations made it difficult for him to obtain film roles. On Wednesday, their former agent, Christian Carino, testified that he felt that Herd’s allegations had caused Depp to lose his job, but did not link it directly to the article. He also revealed that he had arranged a meeting between the couple two months after Herd filed a restraining order against Depp. Mr Carino said that Heard was dating Elon Musk while trying to reconcile with her ex and that advising her to date famous men meant that things would be public. Further testimony was given by two police officers who responded to a call for domestic violence at the couple’s penthouse in May 2016. They said they found no evidence of crime, Herd was “uncooperative” and did not want to report. Heard has not yet testified and has not given her own description of the relationship.
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Mr Dougherty says Heard’s lawyers have removed references to her marriage and divorce. The article was to be deliberately published to coincide with the release of the Aquaman movie to take advantage of the movie’s publicity. In an email read to Mr Dougherty on December 11, 2018, Heard is said to have expressed a desire to “artfully” restore language referring to a temporary restraining order from her “then husband” two years ago, but said it was ok with the final if that was not possible. Oliver O’Connell28 April 2022 17:19 1651162154
The article is described as “possible” and Heard’s contributions to the personal experience section of the article are part of what he said was strong, says Dougherty. Oliver O’Connell28 April 2022 17:09 1651161866
Mr Dougherty testified that after a conversation with Heard, the ACLU communications department was to draft the first comment. The article tried to include Heard’s “fire and rage” on the subject. Herd’s lawyers are advised to take a look at the draft, given the way in which Depp’s marriage revolves around him and that he must comply with the non-disclosure agreement between the couple. He says: “I understand that the language that led to the op-ed was very different from the original op-ed. It did not refer directly to Mrs Heard’s relationship with Johnny Depp.” Oliver O’Connell28 April 2022 17:04 1651161303
Elon Musk and James Franco will not testify at the trial
Elon Musk and James Franco will not testify in the defamation lawsuit against Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Independent. Ms. Herd’s legal team had included Musk and Franco on the list of possible witnesses before the trial, both of whom appeared via video link. Megan Sheets reports the latest. Oliver O’Connell28 April 2022 16:55 1651161081
The court continues and the jury returns. Mr Dougherty’s video testimony continues with a change of course. Asked about messages between the ACLU liaison team about working with Heard. The idea for op-ed is being discussed. Mr. Dougherty was asked why Heard was nominated for the issue of victims of gender-based violence during the Trump administration. It is suggested that if she feels comfortable she could use her personal story. Mr Dougherty says she has in the past expressed her experience of gender-based violence. Oliver O’Connell28 April 2022 16:51 1651160405
Depp’s trial witness confuses court as he vaporizes in car during deposition
In one of the many viral moments that emerged from the ugly court battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, the doorman’s testimony in their former building stood out on Wednesday. Alejandro Romero works at the front desk of the Eastern Columbia building in downtown Los Angeles, where Depp had five penthouses and lived with Herd for three years. In the pre-recorded court testimony, he appeared frustrated as he answered questions from his car while steaming and clearly did not want to be disturbed. Oliver O’Connell28 April 2022 16:40 1651159764
Depp’s lawyer, Ben Chu, says there will be a change of direction in Mr Dougherty’s video testimony, and Judge Azcarate calls for a break at noon. The court is repeated at 11.45. Oliver O’Connell28 April 2022 16:29 1651158747
No press release was sent by ACLU about Herd’s $ 3.5 million commitment following an email saying it did not need to do so. Mr Dougherty says Heard did not pay on an annual basis and there were no payments from 2019 onwards. Asked if ACLU had tried to persuade Heard to pay, Dougherty said they had contacted her in 2019 for the next tranche and learned she was in financial difficulty. Oliver O’Connell28 April 2022 16:12 1651157646
When Depp sent a donation on behalf of Herd, the ACLU kept the check and confirmed whether it was actually in her name or reported a donation from Depp. Heard confirmed the situation and the amount was credited to its full promise. Oliver O’Connell28 April 2022 15:54 1651156891
The article was drafted and reviewed by four lawyers before being sent to the Washington Post, says Dougherty. Those who specialize in women’s rights did not participate in this process. Returning to donations, it was estimated – based on an email from Elon Muk who was linked to the fund that consulted donors contributing $ 850,000 to Heard – that the $ 3.5 million would be paid over ten years if and this was never confirmed. The documents on the deposit include a thank-you note to Herd for the $ 3.5 million donation plans and another commitment form and donation timetable. The commitment schedule was not signed by Heard, but there are other documents that show that Heard is aware of the 10-year commitment. Oliver O’Connell28 April 2022 15:41
