Johnny Depp takes stand, testifies in opposition to Amber Heard: ‘My purpose is the reality’ – Nationwide

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Johnny Depp took the stand in courtroom Tuesday to testify in opposition to ex-wife Amber Heard, whom he has accused of ruining his popularity and profession with false accusations of home violence.

In a gradual and stilted tone, Depp started his testimony addressing about how he desires the general public to know the reality about what occurred between the couple.

“I needed to anticipate my alternative to deal with the costs, which have been prison costs. They only weren’t true.”

Talking steadily of the influence the case and its particulars have had on his youngsters, Depp stated he’s additionally suffered from a private fall-from-grace.

“At some point you’re Cinderella, so to talk, after which in 0.6 seconds you’re Quasimodo.”

The absolutely televised authorized battle of the divorced couple has captured the eye of spectators across the globe, with each Heard, 35, and Depp, 58, claiming to be victims of violence. The preliminary courtroom case started when Depp filed a $50-million defamation lawsuit over a Washington Put up op-ed penned by Heard in late 2018 about home abuse.

Heard didn't point out Depp by identify within the article, although in courtroom paperwork he alleges his popularity and profession have been nonetheless “devastated” in consequence.

2:56Johnny Depp takes stand in defamation trial in opposition to Amber Heard: ‘My purpose is the reality’

Day 5 of the trial in Fairfax County Circuit Courtroom in Virginia noticed the A-list actor take the stand.

When questioned about his childhood, Depp described intimately the abuse he and his siblings suffered by the hands of his mom, Betty Sue Palmer.

“My mom was fairly unpredictable. She had the power to be as merciless as anybody will be,” Depp shared.

“Primarily, she may turn out to be fairly violent and she or he was fairly violent and fairly merciless.”

Depp shared examples of his mom throwing ashtrays or beating her youngsters with a high-heeled shoe.

“In our home we have been by no means uncovered to any kind of security or safety. The one factor that one may do, actually, was to remain out of the road of fireside.”

And, though he stated there have been typically fights between his mom and father, he stated his father was by no means abusive.

Depp additionally detailed the early days of his relationship with Heard.

“At first, from what I recall, she was as if she have been too good to be true,” he stated, including that they shared related musical and literary pursuits.

Nevertheless, there have been early warning indicators that one thing is perhaps off, stated Depp.

He recalled how Heard would deliver him a glass of wine and take of his footwear on the finish of every day. At some point, when he got here residence from work he took off his footwear himself and stated Heard grew to become “visibly shaken, upset, that I had damaged her guidelines of routine.”

That was one of many first indicators their relationship started to vary, stated Depp.

“Inside a yr, year-and-a-half, she had turn out to be one other particular person, virtually.”

Depp testified about his historical past of drug and alcohol use, which he claims started together with his mom’s “nerve drugs.”

“I needed to settle down and I didn’t know how you can so I’d deliver my mother her nerve drugs, stroll away, and take one myself to flee feeling a lot,” he stated. “To flee the chaotic nature of what we have been residing by means of.”

Nevertheless, Depp testified that the main points Heard has shared about his alleged drug and alcohol addictions are “grossly embellished” and “plainly false.”

Depp stated he’s “not some maniac who must be excessive or loaded on a regular basis,” and described instances of his life the place he’s gone utterly sober for months at a time. He stated any substance use he was was concerned it was not for a “get together impact, however I’ve taken them to numb myself.”

He additionally stated that he was hooked on an opiate much like oxycontin, known as roxycontin. He stated it was prescribed to him for an damage he sustained whereas on the set of one of many Pirates of the Caribbean films, and he was hooked on the painkillers for roughly 5 years.

The day concluded with Depp answering questions in regards to the starting of his relationship with Heard. He spoke about once they met on the set of The Rum Diary, and the way they shared each an on-screen and off-screen kiss, regardless of every being in relationships.

He recalled their blossoming romance, saying that they typically frolicked along with her family and friends.

“For a superb yr, year-and-a-half, she was fantastic. After which issues began to…reveal themselves.”

Depp revisited the story he shared earlier within the day about Heard eradicating his boots, and likewise recalled Heard making an attempt to manage his bedtime, demanding that he go to mattress concurrently her.

“It began out with little issues like that,” he stated. “I suppose like something, in the event that they’re allowed to proceed then they’re allowed to develop, to blossom.”

Depp’s attorneys have already known as on a number of witnesses, together with buddies, the couple’s therapist, and the physician and nurse who declare they handled the Pirates of the Caribbean actor for substance abuse points.

In opening statements delivered by the previous spouses’ authorized groups final week, Depp’s attorneys declare Heard is “selecting to lie about him for her personal private profit.”

Heard’s attorneys argued the alternative, claiming freedom of speech allowed the Aquaman actor to pen the Washington Put up op-ed.

Final week, Depp’s physician and a nurse — who have been tasked with treating Depp’s substance abuse points —additionally testified in regards to the hunt for the actor’s severed fingertip. Depp claims the damage occurred in 2015 when Heard allegedly threw a bottle at him.

David Kipper, a concierge physician, testified by way of video deposition that Depp’s chef discovered the severed finger.

“He stated he discovered it within the kitchen space,” Kipper stated, additionally claiming blood and damaged glass have been seen in the home.

Earlier within the day on Monday, Depp’s chief of safety Sean Bett and sound technician and pal Keenan Wyatt testified, each claiming they've by no means seen Depp be abusive to anybody.

In November 2020, Depp misplaced a U.Okay. libel case in opposition to British tabloid The Solar, which known as him a “wife-beater.”  The courtroom discovered Heard’s claims within the Washington Put up article have been “considerably true.” Depp’s request to enchantment the choice was denied.

As the brand new trial continues, jurors will hear from a number of potential witnesses, together with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, actor James Franco and Marvel WandaVision star Paul Bettany.

Franco and Musk have been introduced into the case when Depp accused each of getting an affair with Heard. Each Franco and Musk are on Heard’s witness listing. Bettany, who had a number of personal and disturbing textual content messages with Depp learn in courtroom in 2020, will testify as a part of Depp’s group.

Heard is countersuing for $100 million in damages. The declare can even be determined inside this trial.

Courtroom proceedings are anticipated to final about six weeks with a jury verdict figuring out if Heard defamed Depp on the trial’s finish.