Amber Heard’s attorney asks jury to “stand up for free speech” in final words in Johnny Depp’s $ 50 million libel trial against ex-wife; Start of deliberations – Update

Updated at 11:58 PM PT: “We urge you, ladies and gentlemen, to hold Mr. Depp accountable for his actions,” Amber Heard’s attorney Ben Rothenborn said in a statement in the final stages of the $ 50 million libel suit against the former. wife. . “Everyone should support the victim of domestic violence. Stand up for freedom of expression. Bring Amber Heard back to life.

Less than ten minutes before the final deposition, Herd’s defense team had the final say in the constitutional juggling case that has captivated America and the world for the past two months.

“It’s easy, if you think Depp insulted Amber once, then your job is very simple,” Rothenbourne told the jury in a Virginia court. He can not only deny Mr. Depp’s claim, he can also confirm Amber’s claim

Soon after, Herd was repeatedly called a “liar” and played “the role of his life” and Depp’s disgusting communication as “bad, dark humor” in the denial of actor Camille Vasquez’s latest position. defense. There was a short, clear explanation as it should have been for any impact.

Spanning more than six weeks in the Virginia courtroom, this widely covered trial stems from Depp’s March 2019 lawsuit against Heard in a late 2018 Washington Post article he wrote. In this lengthy article by Jeff Bezos, Herd describes himself as a “public figure representing domestic violence” and details the blast radius he and other women face.

While he said nothing about it during a couple of restraining orders in 2016, Depp has insisted for the past three years that he never insulted Herd. The released actor Fantastic Beasts actually claims to have been a victim of relationship violence. Because the lawsuit was not dismissed, Herd filed a $ 100 million lawsuit in the summer of 2020. A UK libel suit filed against tabloid The Sun for what he called “wife beatings”.

Leaving Judge Penny Azkart’s concluding arguments and final instructions after a six-week trial, the seven-member jury is now hearing a libel case. See the jury form they will take as a guide here.

While Depp Brown Rudick’s legal team presented the most difficult point of view for most of the trial, Herd’s defense was tough on their first amendment when they closed. Perhaps against the backdrop of too few flagrant, too late accusations of physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse and the parade of minor witnesses that have dominated the trial since the beginning of April 11, the power of the defense now rests with the jury. .

Of course, that won’t end, even if Depp wins the libel suit if Herd wins his $ 100 million bets. Outside the Fairfax District Court, both sides’ reputations are in tatters. Within the judicial system, you can bet on the black pearl that will be challenged. For the record, Depp has unsuccessfully attempted to appeal his loss in a 2020 UK libel suit against The Sun, owned by Rupert Murdoch.

We are now waiting.

Before 9:24 pm (Pacific time): “The whole case is about blaming Amber Heard for things she didn’t do. aquaman The star’s attorney said in a Virginia court that Johnny Depp’s $ 50 million defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife.

“But that’s what Mr. Depp does, he always does,” attorney Ben Rothenbourne told jury and judge Penny Azkarate on Friday. “Blaming other people, refusing to take responsibility. But the problem for him here is that he has long been in the running over the United States Constitution. “

How to watch a Johnny Depp-Amber test: direct streaming link and test schedule

“Most of what you have heard about this trial is that there is no need to make a decision,” Rotenbourne said, mostly after six weeks of “horrific abuse” allegations and much-cited testimony from Depp and Herd, several staff members. . , Doctors, family, friends and well paid hangers. Rothenborn called the entire case and trial “the victim who made the most disgusting allegations” by Depp and his Brown Rudick attorneys.

After Depp’s team fell into several traps and seemed to have lost the conspiracy indefinitely, Herd’s team today finally produced an accurate US document.

“Does the First Amendment give Ms. Herd the right to write the words she wrote in this article on December 18, 2018? she asked Rothenbourne rhetorically. “Should anyone be able to write a similar article in the US without hell?” She continued to focus on the process.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let me be very clear, if Mr. Depp beats Amber at least once, then he wins,” Rottenbourne added, calling Depp “ridiculous” for never abusing his Rum Diary co-star. “They try to trick you into believing that Amber has to be perfect to win. In fact, if he can’t prove he hasn’t beaten Amber once, he’ll win. “

Depp sued Herd in March 2019 for December 18, 2018 Washington Post The actor wrote “a public figure representing domestic violence”. Although Depp was never mentioned in the Open End, the former Oscar nominee claimed it “destroyed” his already ruined career. As his attorneys repeatedly stated in his April 11 trial, Depp also claimed in 2019 that he had, in fact, abused the relationship. As noted this morning, Depp’s claims clearly contradict what both sides publicly stated in their 2016 temporary divorce order.

Describing Depp as vengeful on Friday, Rothenbourne said the actor “will do anything to ruin your life, ruin your career.”

“The fact that people can read an article and remember that Amber Heard was previously married to Johnny Depp and he accused her of insulting him doesn’t mean that he planned and intended a slanderous influence on himself,” Rothenborn said. . Opening of the closing speech of the defense, which should last several hours today.

After not filing the case or moving out of Virginia, Herd filed a $ 100 million lawsuit in 2020. The lawsuit came shortly before Depp’s defamation suit against The Sun in the UK, which he called “hitting the wife, “turned out to be a dramatic flop in November 2020.

“This is the real Johnny Depp,” the lawyer said, citing sexual assault allegations and reading and displaying numerous text messages to former friends of Caribbean stars such as Avengers Paul Bethany and colleagues who are threatened with death, sexual assault and “global humiliation”. . “Against the flock. Audio recordings were also made in front of the jury, in which Depp yells at the eponymous “Monster” in Hard to be “happy” and a disturbing video from 2016, in which an angry Depp destroys the kitchen and yells “Mother * home” at she. . For maximum repercussion, from the plaintiff’s legal team to the ultimate scorched earth argument. “This is abuse,” Rothenbourne said, noting that Depp laughed when such evidence was shown in the Fairfax County Court.

Briefly listing all the allegations and dirty laundry that led to most of this circus trial, Rothenbourne exclaimed, “None of this is in the article.” She added: It would have been a very different article if she had written about what she has been through, about what he has been telling you in the last six weeks.

“The facts are an absolute insult,” Rothenbourne repeated at the end of his presentation, which was momentarily interrupted by an amber warning on the phone in front of many in the audience. “Any damage to Mr. Depp’s career is self-inflicted.”

Rottenborn will be represented in court by his fellow attorney, Elaine Bradhoft, who will approve the counterclaim. After that, Depp’s team will have an hour to respond, and then Herd’s team will have another hour to address the jury. If all goes according to plan, a seven-member jury will go behind closed doors this afternoon to review its verdict.

Theoretically, we can see the verdict today, well before Memorial Day weekend begins. However, the discussion will most likely continue after next week’s hiatus.