Hollywood actors Johnny Depp and ex-wife, actress Amber Heard are fighting a bitter court battle in Virginia, US. Depp filed a defamation case against Heard after she wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post claiming she had been a victim of domestic abuse.&nbsp; 
 
Heard never mentioned Depp's name in the article but the actor's lawyers have stated that the article damaged Depp's reputation and his career in Hollywood. Heard countersued Depp for physical abuse.&nbsp; 
 
Depp also accuses Tesla owner Billionaire Elon Musk of having an affair with Heard while she was still married to the actor. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/johnny-depp-amber-heard-case-doctor-recalls-finding-actors-severed-finger-on-kitchen-floor-472203">Johnny Depp-Amber Heard case: Doctor recalls finding actor's severed finger on kitchen floor</a> 
 
Musk’s name was in fact dragged into the trial by Depp, who accused him of having an affair with Heard during his famous 2020 libel case in the UK. Depp lost a libel case in London in November 2020 that he brought against a well-known tabloid that called him a "wife-beater" - after which he filed the defamation complaint against his ex-wife and sued her for $50 million in the US.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;Court documents alleged that Musk had a "three-way affair" with Heard and model-actress Cara Delevingne.&nbsp; 
Musk had reportedly had a threesome with Heard and Delevingne at Depp and Heard's apartment in Los Angeles in 2016 while Depp was away in Australia for shooting.&nbsp;

The tech billionaire and Tesla reacted to the reports and refuted the claims. Speaking to Page Six, Musk said that he began dating Heard after her divorce was filed with Depp. He also maintained that Delevingne was just a friend.&nbsp; 
“Cara and I are friends, but we’ve never been intimate. She would confirm this," Musk said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-ashamed-at-some-of-the-references-made-key-points-from-johny-depps-testimony-472339">Key points from Johnny Depp's testimony</a> 
 
He further explained, "Also, I wish to confirm again that Amber and I only started going out about a month after her divorce filing. I don’t think I was ever even in the vicinity of Amber during their marriage!"&nbsp; 
 
Depp had also accused Heard of having an affair with James Franco which the actress has categorically denied.&nbsp; 
Both Musk and Franco are likely to testify in the coming days in the ongoing trial.&nbsp;

Hollywood actors Johnny Depp and ex-wife, actress Amber Heard are fighting a bitter court battle in Virginia, US. Depp filed a defamation case against Heard after she wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post claiming she had been a victim of domestic abuse.

Hollywood actors Johnny Depp and ex-wife, actress Amber Heard are fighting a bitter court battle in Virginia, US. Depp filed a defamation case against Heard after she wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post claiming she had been a victim of domestic abuse. Heard never mentioned Depp's name in the article but the actor's lawyers have stated that the article damaged Depp's reputation and his career in Hollywood. Heard countersued Depp for physical abuse. Depp also accuses Tesla owner Billionaire Elon Musk of having an affair with Heard while she was still married to the actor. Johnny Depp-Amber Heard case: Doctor recalls finding actor's severed finger on kitchen floor Musk’s name was in fact dragged into the trial by Depp, who accused him of having an affair with Heard during his famous 2020 libel case in the UK. Depp lost a libel case in London in November 2020 that he brought against a well-known tabloid that called him a "wife-beater" - after which he filed the defamation complaint against his ex-wife and sued her for $50 million in the US. Court documents alleged that Musk had a "three-way affair" with Heard and model-actress Cara Delevingne. Musk had reportedly had a threesome with Heard and Delevingne at Depp and Heard's apartment in Los Angeles in 2016 while Depp was away in Australia for shooting. The tech billionaire and Tesla reacted to the reports and refuted the claims. Speaking to Page Six, Musk said that he began dating Heard after her divorce was filed with Depp. He also maintained that Delevingne was just a friend. “Cara and I are friends, but we’ve never been intimate. She would confirm this," Musk said. Key points from Johnny Depp's testimony He further explained, "Also, I wish to confirm again that Amber and I only started going out about a month after her divorce filing. I don’t think I was ever even in the vicinity of Amber during their marriage!" Depp had also accused Heard of having an affair with James Franco which the actress has categorically denied. Both Musk and Franco are likely to testify in the coming days in the ongoing trial.

How is Elon Musk connected to the Johnny Depp- Amber Heard defamation case?

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp testified against his ex-wife Amber Heart in court in Virginia on Tuesday. The testimony lasted over three hours and Depp, who has filed a defamation case Heard said that the accusations made against him were 'Heinous'.&nbsp;

Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for defamation over an op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post alleging she was the victim of domestic abuse. Heard never identified Depp directly in the op-ed but write she is "a public figure representing domestic abuse.”

Here are the key points from Depp's testimony on Tuesday. 
 
-- Depp revealed that he had first met Heard in 2012 on the sets of 'The Rum Diary' - a film they starred in together. They didn't have much interaction until they shot the shower scene.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india/johnny-depp-calls-amber-heard-accusations-heinous-says-he-never-struck-ex-wife-472281" hreflang="en">Johnny Depp calls Amber Heard accusations 'heinous,' says he never struck ex-wife</a> 
 
"She comes into the room and she opens the shower and we kiss," he said. "That moment was um it was a, yeah, it felt like, it felt like something that I shouldn’t be feeling because she had her wife...and I had Vanessa and the kiddies," Depp said.&nbsp; 
 
The duo shared another kiss in his trailer later that day. 
&nbsp; 
Depp states the two did not resume their relationship until two years later when they again met to promote the film. 
By then Heard had split from girlfriend Tasya van Ree and Depp had broken up with Vanessa Paradis- with whom he shares two children.

-- Depp and Heard's first meeting was for the film 'The Rum Diary.' Heard- a relative newcomer back then, was recommended for the film by a person known to Depp.&nbsp; 
 
She reportedly read her part five times, the person was on the fence. Depp arranged an appointment to meet her at his office. "I took one look at her and I thought that's the one," he said. "Yes, she could definitely kill me."

-- Johnny Depp called Amber Heard's accusation of his drug abuse "grossly embellished." 
 
"I’m sorry to say, a lot of it is just plainly false," he testified. "I think that it was an easy target for her to hit." He did admit that he became addicted to the painkiller Roxicodone after suffering an accident on the set of the fourth instalment of 'Pirates of the Caribbean.'

--&nbsp;Depp apologized for vulgar texts he had sent referring to Heard as 'malicious, evil and vindictive c---." and partly blamed&nbsp;friend Hunter Thompson for instigating him.&nbsp; 
 
"I am ashamed at some of the references made, I am, uh, embarrassed that at the time the heat of the moment, the heat of the pain that I was feeling, went to, went to dark places," he testified.

-- Depp spoke about his abusive childhood and described his late mother Betty Sue Plamer as 'violent' and 'cruel' to him and his three siblings.&nbsp; 
 
"There was physical abuse, certainly, which could be in the form of an ashtray being flung at you, you know, it hits you in the head or you get beat with a high heel shoe or telephone whatever was handy," Depp explained of his childhood in Kentucky. "So in our house we were never exposed to any type of safety or security." 
 
Eventually, his father, who he said was a kind man, packed his bags and left, telling him he "can't live it anymore." Depp was 15 at that time.&nbsp;

-- Johnny Depp said he's never struck a woman.&nbsp;"Never did I myself reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way nor have I ever struck any woman in my life,” Depp, 58, said in response to why he was in a Virginia courtroom suing Heard for defamation. "Since there was no truth in it whatsoever, I felt it was my responsibility to stand up not only for myself in that instance but for my children who at the time were 15 and 16," Depp continued."I thought it was diabolical that my children would have to go to school and have their friends or people in the school approach them with the infamous People magazine cover with Ms. Heard with a dark bruise on her face," said Depp.

-- The actor admitted that the last 6 years have been trying for him.&nbsp; 
 
“It has been six years of trying times," he said."It's very strange when one day you’re a Cinderella, so to speak, then in zero point six seconds you're Quasimodo. I didn’t deserve that nor did my children nor did the people who believed in me all these years."&nbsp; 
 
“I’m obsessed with the truth so today is the first opportunity I’ve been able to speak about this case in full," he added.

-- Depp said that his and Heard's relationship was 'amazing' in the beginning. 
 
“In the beginning of my relationship with Ms Heard from what I recall, from what I remember, she was, it was as if she was too good to be true," Depp said. "She was attentive, she was loving, she was smart, she was kind, she was funny, she was understanding. We had many things in common. It was amazing.” 
 
Depp recalled how Heard would sit him down on the couch when he walked in the door from work, give him a glass of wine and take off his boots. But the behaviour lasted only for a year.&nbsp; 
 
“Within a year and a half she had become another person,” he said.&nbsp;

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp testified against his ex-wife Amber Heart in court in Virginia on Tuesday. The testimony lasted over three hours and Depp, who has filed a defamation case Heard said that the accusations made against him were 'Heinous'.

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp testified against his ex-wife Amber Heart in court in Virginia on Tuesday. The testimony lasted over three hours and Depp, who has filed a defamation case Heard said that the accusations made against him were 'Heinous'. Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for defamation over an op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post alleging she was the victim of domestic abuse. Heard never identified Depp directly in the op-ed but write she is "a public figure representing domestic abuse.” Here are the key points from Depp's testimony on Tuesday. -- Depp revealed that he had first met Heard in 2012 on the sets of 'The Rum Diary' - a film they starred in together. They didn't have much interaction until they shot the shower scene. Johnny Depp calls Amber Heard accusations 'heinous,' says he never struck ex-wife "She comes into the room and she opens the shower and we kiss," he said. "That moment was um it was a, yeah, it felt like, it felt like something that I shouldn’t be feeling because she had her wife...and I had Vanessa and the kiddies," Depp said. The duo shared another kiss in his trailer later that day. Depp states the two did not resume their relationship until two years later when they again met to promote the film. By then Heard had split from girlfriend Tasya van Ree and Depp had broken up with Vanessa Paradis- with whom he shares two children. -- Depp and Heard's first meeting was for the film 'The Rum Diary.' Heard- a relative newcomer back then, was recommended for the film by a person known to Depp. She reportedly read her part five times, the person was on the fence. Depp arranged an appointment to meet her at his office. "I took one look at her and I thought that's the one," he said. "Yes, she could definitely kill me." -- Johnny Depp called Amber Heard's accusation of his drug abuse "grossly embellished." "I’m sorry to say, a lot of it is just plainly false," he testified. "I think that it was an easy target for her to hit." He did admit that he became addicted to the painkiller Roxicodone after suffering an accident on the set of the fourth instalment of 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' -- Depp apologized for vulgar texts he had sent referring to Heard as 'malicious, evil and vindictive c---." and partly blamed friend Hunter Thompson for instigating him. "I am ashamed at some of the references made, I am, uh, embarrassed that at the time the heat of the moment, the heat of the pain that I was feeling, went to, went to dark places," he testified. -- Depp spoke about his abusive childhood and described his late mother Betty Sue Plamer as 'violent' and 'cruel' to him and his three siblings. "There was physical abuse, certainly, which could be in the form of an ashtray being flung at you, you know, it hits you in the head or you get beat with a high heel shoe or telephone whatever was handy," Depp explained of his childhood in Kentucky. "So in our house we were never exposed to any type of safety or security." Eventually, his father, who he said was a kind man, packed his bags and left, telling him he "can't live it anymore." Depp was 15 at that time. -- Johnny Depp said he's never struck a woman. "Never did I myself reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way nor have I ever struck any woman in my life,” Depp, 58, said in response to why he was in a Virginia courtroom suing Heard for defamation. "Since there was no truth in it whatsoever, I felt it was my responsibility to stand up not only for myself in that instance but for my children who at the time were 15 and 16," Depp continued."I thought it was diabolical that my children would have to go to school and have their friends or people in the school approach them with the infamous People magazine cover with Ms. Heard with a dark bruise on her face," said Depp. -- The actor admitted that the last 6 years have been trying for him. “It has been six years of trying times," he said."It's very strange when one day you’re a Cinderella, so to speak, then in zero point six seconds you're Quasimodo. I didn’t deserve that nor did my children nor did the people who believed in me all these years." “I’m obsessed with the truth so today is the first opportunity I’ve been able to speak about this case in full," he added. -- Depp said that his and Heard's relationship was 'amazing' in the beginning. “In the beginning of my relationship with Ms Heard from what I recall, from what I remember, she was, it was as if she was too good to be true," Depp said. "She was attentive, she was loving, she was smart, she was kind, she was funny, she was understanding. We had many things in common. It was amazing.” Depp recalled how Heard would sit him down on the couch when he walked in the door from work, give him a glass of wine and take off his boots. But the behaviour lasted only for a year. “Within a year and a half she had become another person,” he said.

'Ashamed at some of the references made': Key points from Johnny Depp's testimony

More gruesome details about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's troubled marriage are coming out as both actors are fighting a bitter legal battle in the US.&nbsp; 
 
Depp's personal doctor recently testified in the defamation case that he has filed against his ex-wife and revealed that he was treating the actor's wound after the finger was sliced back in 2015.&nbsp; 
 
Dr David Kipper said during a pre-recorded disposition played in court on Monday that he cleaned Depp's wound following an incident in which the actor claimed that Heard had thrown a vodka bottle at him.&nbsp; 
 
Dr Kipper, a concierge doctor, revealed he was called to the residence and cleaned Depp’s wound during the said incident.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial-therapist-explains-drug-addiction-mutual-abuse-471218">Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial: Therapist explains drug addiction, mutual abuse</a> 
 
The physician said he found Mr Depp bleeding heavily. He treated the wound but said he wasn’t sure how Mr Depp had been injured. 
 
The doctor in his testimony also mentioned that he asked the staff to search for Depp's missing fingertip which was eventually found by his chef. Kipper in the video testimony said, "He said he found it in the kitchen area" and also stated that there was blood and broken glass in the house. 
 
Debbie Lloyd, a nurse who worked with Kipper, also stated that Depp's severed fingertip was found in the house kitchen. Dr Kipper also mentioned he had considered withdrawing his treatment as Depp was not following the drug and alcohol protocols. 
 
One of Heard's lawyers said that Depp told emergency room staff that he had cut himself with a knife.&nbsp; 
 
Dr Kipper said he spoke to Heard on that same day, but didn’t see any injuries on her.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-vanessa-paradis-to-amber-heard-a-look-at-johnny-depps-dating-history-312251">From Vanessa Paradis to Amber Heard: A look at Johnny Depp's dating history</a>

Heard had claimed that Depp threw her into a table tennis table and pushed her into a fridge. 
 
Johnny Depp is expected to testify in a Virginia courtroom on Tuesday against his ex-wife.&nbsp; 
 
Depp and Heard met while making 2011 film 'The Rum Diary' and married four years later. Heard accused Depp of domestic abuse after filing for divorce in 2016.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-dramatic-trial-amber-heards-friend-thrown-out-of-court-johnny-depps-friends-statement-struck-from-record-471774">Dramatic trial: Amber Heard's friend thrown out of court, Johnny Depp's friend's statement struck from record</a> 
 
Heard, known for roles in 'Aquaman' and 'Justice League,' has brought her own libel claim against Depp, saying he smeared her by calling her a liar. 
 
Heard's counterclaim will be decided as part of the trial. Heard is seeking $100 million in damages from Depp, according to court papers. 
 
Following the November 2020 ruling in the London libel trial, Depp was replaced with Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen in the third film in the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise, a spin-off from the 'Harry Potter' books and films. 
 
(With agency inputs)

More gruesome details about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's troubled marriage are coming out as both actors are fighting a bitter legal battle in the US. Depp's personal doctor recently testified in the defamation case that he has filed against his ex-wife and revealed that he was treating the actor's wound after the finger was sliced back in 2015.

More gruesome details about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's troubled marriage are coming out as both actors are fighting a bitter legal battle in the US. Depp's personal doctor recently testified in the defamation case that he has filed against his ex-wife and revealed that he was treating the actor's wound after the finger was sliced back in 2015. Dr David Kipper said during a pre-recorded disposition played in court on Monday that he cleaned Depp's wound following an incident in which the actor claimed that Heard had thrown a vodka bottle at him. Dr Kipper, a concierge doctor, revealed he was called to the residence and cleaned Depp’s wound during the said incident. Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial: Therapist explains drug addiction, mutual abuse The physician said he found Mr Depp bleeding heavily. He treated the wound but said he wasn’t sure how Mr Depp had been injured. The doctor in his testimony also mentioned that he asked the staff to search for Depp's missing fingertip which was eventually found by his chef. Kipper in the video testimony said, "He said he found it in the kitchen area" and also stated that there was blood and broken glass in the house. Debbie Lloyd, a nurse who worked with Kipper, also stated that Depp's severed fingertip was found in the house kitchen. Dr Kipper also mentioned he had considered withdrawing his treatment as Depp was not following the drug and alcohol protocols. One of Heard's lawyers said that Depp told emergency room staff that he had cut himself with a knife. Dr Kipper said he spoke to Heard on that same day, but didn’t see any injuries on her. From Vanessa Paradis to Amber Heard: A look at Johnny Depp's dating history Heard had claimed that Depp threw her into a table tennis table and pushed her into a fridge. Johnny Depp is expected to testify in a Virginia courtroom on Tuesday against his ex-wife. Depp and Heard met while making 2011 film 'The Rum Diary' and married four years later. Heard accused Depp of domestic abuse after filing for divorce in 2016. Dramatic trial: Amber Heard's friend thrown out of court, Johnny Depp's friend's statement struck from record Heard, known for roles in 'Aquaman' and 'Justice League,' has brought her own libel claim against Depp, saying he smeared her by calling her a liar. Heard's counterclaim will be decided as part of the trial. Heard is seeking $100 million in damages from Depp, according to court papers. Following the November 2020 ruling in the London libel trial, Depp was replaced with Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen in the third film in the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise, a spin-off from the 'Harry Potter' books and films. (With agency inputs)

Johnny Depp-Amber Heard case:  Doctor recalls finding actor's severed finger on kitchen floor

As things tense up between ex flames Johnny Depp and Amber Heard during their ongoing defamation trial, lots of new material said and heard in the court has surfaced online. A larger part of the afternoon in the trial was dedicated to hearing from a video deposition of Dr. David Kipper, hired in 2014 to treat Johnny Depp for an addition to opioids.

David said that he had a plan for Depp to detox in the Bahamas where he has an island but the actor on two occasions, did not express desire to move ahead with it.&nbsp;

He then shared a text that Johnny Depp wrote to him on August 24, 2014: “Forgot to tell you had a hopefully very positive and free of ego squawk with Amber last night that went very well…and then I shot a few negroes in a club on Sunset Boulevard.” He added that he didn’t recall the text, “so that may have been an attempt at humour.”

There were other controversial texts too that were discussed like one where Johnny had “punched a white board in the kitchen after a fight,” and another in which he kicked in a door on a film set because he was agitated with the director.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-johnny-depp-became-monster-on-drugs-and-alcohol-court-hears-470637" hreflang="en">Johnny Depp became 'monster' on drugs and alcohol, court hears</a>

While David maintained that he never saw any violence between Depp and Heard but in March 2015, when they were in Australia, Depp reached out to him and complained of Amber Heard, “She is as full of sh*t as a Christmas goose.” He called her “a malicious evil and vindictive c***. She is so desperate for success and fame. That is probably why I was acquired.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-johnny-depp-amber-heards-100-million-battle--elon-musk-paul-bettany-on-witness-list-464173">Johnny Depp, Amber Heard's $100 million battle: Elon Musk, Paul Bettany on witness list</a>

David Kipper said that he went to see Depp at the Australia rental house, which was “a mess. There were things that had been thrown around.”&nbsp;

He also expressed concern over Depp “taking more Xanax than he should have been,” as well as the impact that phone calls between Depp and Heard would have on his behaviour.

The ongoing trial is as a result of Johnny Depp suing Amber Heard following the December 2018 publication of a Washington Post op ed in which Heard said that she was the victim of domestic abuse. Amber Heard has filed a counterclaim.

As things tense up between ex flames Johnny Depp and Amber Heard during their ongoing defamation trial, lots of new material said and heard in the court has surfaced online.

As things tense up between ex flames Johnny Depp and Amber Heard during their ongoing defamation trial, lots of new material said and heard in the court has surfaced online. A larger part of the afternoon in the trial was dedicated to hearing from a video deposition of Dr. David Kipper, hired in 2014 to treat Johnny Depp for an addition to opioids. David said that he had a plan for Depp to detox in the Bahamas where he has an island but the actor on two occasions, did not express desire to move ahead with it. He then shared a text that Johnny Depp wrote to him on August 24, 2014: “Forgot to tell you had a hopefully very positive and free of ego squawk with Amber last night that went very well…and then I shot a few negroes in a club on Sunset Boulevard.” He added that he didn’t recall the text, “so that may have been an attempt at humour.” There were other controversial texts too that were discussed like one where Johnny had “punched a white board in the kitchen after a fight,” and another in which he kicked in a door on a film set because he was agitated with the director. Johnny Depp became 'monster' on drugs and alcohol, court hears While David maintained that he never saw any violence between Depp and Heard but in March 2015, when they were in Australia, Depp reached out to him and complained of Amber Heard, “She is as full of sh*t as a Christmas goose.” He called her “a malicious evil and vindictive c***. She is so desperate for success and fame. That is probably why I was acquired.” Johnny Depp, Amber Heard's $100 million battle: Elon Musk, Paul Bettany on witness list David Kipper said that he went to see Depp at the Australia rental house, which was “a mess. There were things that had been thrown around.” He also expressed concern over Depp “taking more Xanax than he should have been,” as well as the impact that phone calls between Depp and Heard would have on his behaviour. The ongoing trial is as a result of Johnny Depp suing Amber Heard following the December 2018 publication of a Washington Post op ed in which Heard said that she was the victim of domestic abuse. Amber Heard has filed a counterclaim.

Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial: Therapist explains drug addiction, mutual abuse

The latest chapter in Hollywood star Johnny Depp's legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard kicked off on Monday as a US&nbsp;defamation trial began over allegations Heard made about domestic abuse. 
 
Depp, 58, has sued Heard for $50 million, saying she defamed him when she penned a 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse. 
 
The op-ed never mentioned Depp by name, but Depp's lawyers have said it was clear Heard was referencing him, and that the piece damaged his film career and reputation. 
 
Juror selection was completed on Monday and opening statements are slated to begin on Tuesday. 
 
Depp has denied all allegations of abuse, saying in his lawsuit that Heard's claims were an "elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms Heard and advance her career." 
 
Depp and Heard both submitted long lists of potential witnesses they could put on the stand. 
 
Heard’s list includes her ex-boyfriend and Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, who she texted with about Depp. Also on the list of potential witnesses is actor James Franco, who Heard testified in the London case inquired about bruises on her face following an alleged abusive incident with Depp. 
 
Depp wants the Fairfax County jury to find that Heard knowingly made false claims. 
 
Heard, for her part, will argue that she is shielded, or "immune," from liability because her 2018 op-ed on domestic violence dealt with a matter of public concern. 
 
"I never named him. Rather, I wrote about the price women pay for speaking out against men in power. I continue to pay the price, but hopefully when this case concludes, I can move on and so can Johnny," Heard said in a statement released on Saturday. 
 
The Washington Post is not a defendant in the trial. Depp’s lawyers have said they filed the case in Fairfax County, outside the District of Columbia, because the newspaper is printed at a facility there. Heard unsuccessfully tried to transfer the case to Los Angeles, where she and Depp lived. 
 
Heard`s lawyers alleged "forum-shopping," saying Depp's attorneys sued in Virginia because they perceived it as a more favourable venue than California. 
 
California has a more strongly worded "anti-SLAPP law," a type of legal protection meant to shield journalists and others from frivolous lawsuits designed to silence them. 
 
The US&nbsp;trial comes less than two years after Depp lost a libel case against The Sun, a British tabloid that labeled him a “wife beater." A London High Court judge ruled he had repeatedly assaulted Heard and put her in fear for her life. 
 
The United States is a difficult forum for libel plaintiffs, especially public figures like Depp, who faces several hurdles in the Virginia case. Depp must prove by clear and convincing evidence that Heard knowingly made false claims. 
 
Under English defamation law, the person being sued has the burden of proving their claims were true. 
 
Depp and Heard met while making 'The Rum Diary'&nbsp;in 2011 and married four years later. Heard accused Depp of domestic abuse after filing for divorce in 2016. 
 
Depp ascended to Hollywood stardom in the 1990s with portrayals of loners and outsiders in cult classics such as John Waters` 'Cry-Baby'&nbsp;and Tim Burton's 'Edward Scissorhands.' 
 
He became a household name with the swashbuckling Disney franchise 'Pirates of the Caribbean,'&nbsp;playing fan favorite Jack Sparrow. 
 
Heard, 35, is known for her roles in 'Aquaman'&nbsp;and 'Justice League.'&nbsp;She has brought her own libel claim against Depp, saying he smeared her by calling her a liar. 
 
Heard`s counterclaim will be decided as part of the trial, which could last for six weeks. Heard is seeking $100 million in damages from Depp, according to court papers. 
 
In her evidence to the London High Court, Heard said Depp would turn into a jealous alter ego, “the monster”, after binging on drugs and alcohol and had threatened to kill her. 
 
She detailed 14 occasions of extreme violence when she said the actor choked, punched, slapped, head-butted, throttled and kicked her. The London judge accepting 12 of these accounts as true. 
 
Following the November 2020 ruling in the London libel trial, Depp was replaced with Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen in the third film in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-fantastic-beasts-the-secrets-of-dumbledore-review-less-of-magic-more-about-greed-and-lost-love-469398"> 'Fantastic Beasts'</a>&nbsp;franchise, a spin-off from the 'Harry Potter' books and films.

The latest chapter in Hollywood star Johnny Depp's legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard kicked off on Monday as a US defamation trial began over allegations Heard made about domestic abuse.

The latest chapter in Hollywood star Johnny Depp's legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard kicked off on Monday as a US defamation trial began over allegations Heard made about domestic abuse. Depp, 58, has sued Heard for $50 million, saying she defamed him when she penned a 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse. The op-ed never mentioned Depp by name, but Depp's lawyers have said it was clear Heard was referencing him, and that the piece damaged his film career and reputation. Juror selection was completed on Monday and opening statements are slated to begin on Tuesday. Depp has denied all allegations of abuse, saying in his lawsuit that Heard's claims were an "elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms Heard and advance her career." Depp and Heard both submitted long lists of potential witnesses they could put on the stand. Heard’s list includes her ex-boyfriend and Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, who she texted with about Depp. Also on the list of potential witnesses is actor James Franco, who Heard testified in the London case inquired about bruises on her face following an alleged abusive incident with Depp. Depp wants the Fairfax County jury to find that Heard knowingly made false claims. Heard, for her part, will argue that she is shielded, or "immune," from liability because her 2018 op-ed on domestic violence dealt with a matter of public concern. "I never named him. Rather, I wrote about the price women pay for speaking out against men in power. I continue to pay the price, but hopefully when this case concludes, I can move on and so can Johnny," Heard said in a statement released on Saturday. The Washington Post is not a defendant in the trial. Depp’s lawyers have said they filed the case in Fairfax County, outside the District of Columbia, because the newspaper is printed at a facility there. Heard unsuccessfully tried to transfer the case to Los Angeles, where she and Depp lived. Heard`s lawyers alleged "forum-shopping," saying Depp's attorneys sued in Virginia because they perceived it as a more favourable venue than California. California has a more strongly worded "anti-SLAPP law," a type of legal protection meant to shield journalists and others from frivolous lawsuits designed to silence them. The US trial comes less than two years after Depp lost a libel case against The Sun, a British tabloid that labeled him a “wife beater." A London High Court judge ruled he had repeatedly assaulted Heard and put her in fear for her life. The United States is a difficult forum for libel plaintiffs, especially public figures like Depp, who faces several hurdles in the Virginia case. Depp must prove by clear and convincing evidence that Heard knowingly made false claims. Under English defamation law, the person being sued has the burden of proving their claims were true. Depp and Heard met while making 'The Rum Diary' in 2011 and married four years later. Heard accused Depp of domestic abuse after filing for divorce in 2016. Depp ascended to Hollywood stardom in the 1990s with portrayals of loners and outsiders in cult classics such as John Waters` 'Cry-Baby' and Tim Burton's 'Edward Scissorhands.' He became a household name with the swashbuckling Disney franchise 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' playing fan favorite Jack Sparrow. Heard, 35, is known for her roles in 'Aquaman' and 'Justice League.' She has brought her own libel claim against Depp, saying he smeared her by calling her a liar. Heard`s counterclaim will be decided as part of the trial, which could last for six weeks. Heard is seeking $100 million in damages from Depp, according to court papers. In her evidence to the London High Court, Heard said Depp would turn into a jealous alter ego, “the monster”, after binging on drugs and alcohol and had threatened to kill her. She detailed 14 occasions of extreme violence when she said the actor choked, punched, slapped, head-butted, throttled and kicked her. The London judge accepting 12 of these accounts as true. Following the November 2020 ruling in the London libel trial, Depp was replaced with Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen in the third film in the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise, a spin-off from the 'Harry Potter' books and films.

Actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard face off again in US libel trial

Hollywood stars Amber Heard and Johnny Depp will contest each other in court this week after Depp slapped a defamation case against his ex-wife for writing an op-ed.&nbsp; 
 
The trial opened with the jury on Monday and several celebrities are listed as potential witnesses.&nbsp; 
 
Depp sued Heard in 2019 for $50 million for an op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post alleging that she was a victim of domestic abuse. &nbsp;The op-ed did not identify Depp directly in the piece, but wrote that she is "a public figure representing domestic abuse."

The witness list in the case includes actors James Franco, Paul Bettany as well as billionaire Elon Musk.

Representatives from the ACLU, Los Angeles Police Department, Disney and Warner Bros. are also listed. Some witnesses are likely to appear remotely.&nbsp; 
 
Depp’s lawyers have earlier stated that the article falsely implies she was physically and sexually abused by Depp when the two were married. 
 
Depp previously filed a similar lawsuit in England against a tabloid that had called him a 'wife beater'. Depp had lost after the judge there determined that the actor indeed assaulted Heard on a dozen occasions and put her in fear for her life on multiple occasions.

Hollywood stars Amber Heard and Johnny Depp will contest each other in court this week after Depp slapped a defamation case against his ex-wife for writing an op-ed.

Hollywood stars Amber Heard and Johnny Depp will contest each other in court this week after Depp slapped a defamation case against his ex-wife for writing an op-ed. The trial opened with the jury on Monday and several celebrities are listed as potential witnesses. Depp sued Heard in 2019 for $50 million for an op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post alleging that she was a victim of domestic abuse. The op-ed did not identify Depp directly in the piece, but wrote that she is "a public figure representing domestic abuse." The witness list in the case includes actors James Franco, Paul Bettany as well as billionaire Elon Musk. Representatives from the ACLU, Los Angeles Police Department, Disney and Warner Bros. are also listed. Some witnesses are likely to appear remotely. Depp’s lawyers have earlier stated that the article falsely implies she was physically and sexually abused by Depp when the two were married. Depp previously filed a similar lawsuit in England against a tabloid that had called him a 'wife beater'. Depp had lost after the judge there determined that the actor indeed assaulted Heard on a dozen occasions and put her in fear for her life on multiple occasions.

Elon Musk, James Franco and others may testify in Johnny Depp-Amber Heard case