Johnny Depp faced hours of difficult interrogation by Amber Heard’s lawyer during the defamation trial – with graphic texts about his ex-wife and photos of messages written with paint and blood from his severed finger shown in court.
Faced with cross-examination on the seventh day of the hearing – and Depp’s third on the witness stand – the actor spent an entire day presenting evidence against him as Hurd’s lawyer Ben Rothenborn questioned his allegations that the actress was violent in their relationship. not him.
There was a change in mood from Wednesday’s hearing when the actor gave his version of events, prompted by his own lawyers. He clashed with Mr Rothenborn several times on Thursday.
Image: Hurd’s lawyer Ben Rothenborn questions Depp’s allegations that his ex-wife was raped
The court was shown an exchange of messages between Depp and British actor Paul Bethany, in which they discussed “burning” and “drowning” Hurd.
Depp was also questioned about the former couple’s stay in Australia in March 2015, while he was shooting the fifth film of the Pirates of the Caribbean there – a battle between the couple that led to the star’s finger cut off, was much discussed in court and became the most famous incident between the couple.
Hurd’s lawyer cited Depp’s story of breaking into hotel rooms and smashing bathroom fixtures during a dispute with Hurd. He claims that Depp cannot deny that he abused Hurd because he was often drunk and strong to the point of eclipse.
Key moments from Depp ‘s cross – examination on day 7 of the trial
• The court was shown graphic texts sent by Depp to Hurd, in which he called her a “slippery whore”, among other insults. • Mr. Rothenborn accused the actor of lying about drug use during the filming of the fifth ” Pirates of the Caribbean movie • The jury was shown pictures of mirrors on which Depp wrote messages with blood and paint during the battle in Australia • Audio recordings were also released, and in one Depp was heard to say that he was jealous and devilishly crazy and asks Hurd to cut it into another • Catch up on what has been said so far in our live report on the process as it happens
Depp is suing Hurd for $ 50 million (£ 38.2 million) in defamation, while Hurd has filed a counterclaim for $ 100 million (£ 76.4 million).
The lawsuit, in which various allegations of drinking and drugs were observed, is related to a 2018 article written by Hurd in The Washington Post, which Depp’s lawyers say wrongly hints that he raped her physically and sexually – although he is not mentioned in it.
Image: Hurd looked upset in several places during Depp’s cross-examination
On Thursday, Mr. Rothenborn presented several emails and text messages that Depp sent to Hurd, friends, family and associates, which were often full of profanity and vulgar descriptions.
“Burn amber”
Sending messages to Bethany in 2013, Depp said, “Let’s burn Amber.” He later added: “Let’s drown her before we burn her. I’ll fuck her burnt body afterwards to make sure she’s dead.”
Image: Johnny Depp and Paul Bethany starred in several films together, including Mortdecai in 2015.
In a statement to the state branch of Sky News NBC, a Depp spokesman said the lyrics were a reference to a Monty Python scene, “which Johnny has already testified is one of his favorite movies.”
He and Bethany “connected in the film and often made references to the film in exchange for text messages,” the spokesman continued.
“They both knew exactly what they meant, and as Bethany confirmed before, ‘We live in a world without context … Can you imagine what it would be like to have, honestly, a bunch of lawyers go through each of your emails and text messages for 10 years? “
After their separation, Depp called his wife a “slippery whore” in a message to another friend.
In court, Depp said he was “not proud of the language … used in anger.”
“southern gentleman”
Much of the evidence heard so far in the US trial in Virginia refers to the use of substances by Depp while he and Hurd were together, which, according to the actress’ lawyers, has caused episodes of violence.
Jurors were shown messages in which Depp apparently discussed drug use, as well as a photo showing cocaine on the table.
Image: This photo was shown in court
Before showing a set of court reports, Mr. Rothenborn asked Depp, who grew up in Kentucky, if he met Southern Gentleman standards.
“When you have deep, deep roots in the south … you were brought up to be a southern gentleman, that is, when chivalry was still alive and well,” Mr Depp replied. “I believe I’m doing it (meeting the standards), I’ve certainly done my best all my life.”
Jurors were also shown a secret video of Hurd showing Depp smashing and kicking kitchen cabinets at his home in West Hollywood.
Earlier in the trial, it was heard that the former couple sometimes recorded conversations, and videos were also released in court on Thursday. “I get irrational when you make movies,” Depp could be heard saying in one. “I’m getting jealous and damn crazy and weird, you know, we fight a lot more.”
What really happened in Australia?
Hurd’s lawyer told Depp that he had questions about how he received his finger injury while he was in Australia in 2015 – which showed the court a graphic photo on Wednesday.
Image: Depp’s graffiti was displayed on a mirror in Australia – it was said to be in paint and blood
The actor told the court that the tip of his finger was cut when Amber Heard threw a bottle of vodka, which then broke. She has not yet testified in the trial, but she is ready to dispute that and say that her ex-husband caused the injury himself.
Mr Rothenborn presented to the court photographs from the day of the injury, showing messages written on mirrors with paint and blood from Depp’s severed finger. “Starring Billy Bob and Easy Amber,” Depp wrote in a statement, a reference to Hurd, who was filming with actor Billy Bob Thornton shortly before her arrival in Australia.
Messages were then shown to the jury and audio recordings were made about the finger, with Depp saying that he had “cut off my finger” – seemingly contradicting his claim that Hurd had caused the injury.
The trial in Fairfax County Court continues on Monday, after which Depp must return to the courtroom.
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