The trial ends today.
The explosive Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard case ends today with closing arguments after six weeks of testimonies and evidence.
It has become one of the most highly publicised celebrity stories of all time, with the trial dominating the media and being live-streamed on YouTube and Twitter.
The cultural impact it has had is somewhat surreal. #JusticeforJohnnyDepp has surpassed ten billion views on TikTok, while parody videos of scenes from the courtroom dominate the platform. It’s everywhere we look.
Finally, the jury are set to begin their deliberations today. Jurors have been ordered not to do their own research or talk to anyone about the case. This could take a matter of hours or several days, depending on how long they need to come to a decision.
If they do not reach a decision today, they will regroup on Tuesday to discuss further.
It is important to remember that this is a civil trial, not a criminal case. Neither Heard nor Depp are being tried on any criminal charges. It is up to the jury to decide whether Heard defamed Depp in her oped or not.
During Depp’s closing argument today, his lawyer Camille Vasquez says he endured “persistent verbal, physical and emotional abuse” throughout the relationship. She said Heard inflicted the “greatest and cruellest injury of all” by “falsely” calling him an abuser.
Vasquez: `What we have is a mountain of unproven allegations..You can't pick & choose which to believe. You either believe all of it or none of it. "Either she's a victim of truly horrific abuse or she's a woman who's willing to say absolutely anything." #AmberHeard #JohnnyDepp pic.twitter.com/MvUbrcbTBc
— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) May 27, 2022
She pleaded with the jury: “We ask you to give Mr Depp his life back by telling the world that Mr Depp is not the abuser.”
Meanwhile, Heard’s lawyer Ben Rottenborn said in his closing argument:
“In Mr Depp’s world, you don’t leave Mr Depp. And if you do, he will start a campaign of global humiliation against you. A smear campaign that lasts until this very day.”
NOW: #AmberHeard's closing argument by Benjamin Rottenborn.
If you leave #JohnnyDepp he will start a global smear campaign..he'll do everything he can to destroy your life and your career. pic.twitter.com/daV0FFd6iI
— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) May 27, 2022
Depp is suing Heard for $50 million, saying she defamed him when she claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse in her oped. Heard has countersued for $100 million.
If the jury decide Heard did indeed defame her ex-husband, she will be ordered to pay him damages. As mentioned, he is seeking $50 million, but the jury can recommend he is awarded more or less than this amount.
If the jury decide Heard had enough evidence to justifying her writing that oped, and that she did not defame Depp, she won’t have to pay him any money. And as she is counter-suing, she could be paid compensation at a later date.
As Rottenborn reminded the jury in his closing argument, if the jury find that Depp abused Heard even one time, she wins the defamation case.
