Editor’s Note: Some testimonials contain graphic language and descriptions of sexual and physical assaults.
Actress Amber Heard resumed her testimony on Monday, after a week-long hiatus in the libel suit brought by her ex-husband, actor Johnny Depp.
In her final appearance in the $50 million civil trial, Heard tearfully told jurors that Depp sexually assaulted her with a liquor bottle in an alcohol-fueled rage. The graphic depiction of the sexual assault left Heard fighting for her composure as she described it to jurors.
Depp is suing Heard over a December 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post that she wrote describing herself as “a public figure representing domestic violence.” His lawyers say he was defamed by the article even though he never mentioned his name.
Steve Helber/AP
Much of the trial testimony was repetitive of a civil lawsuit Depp brought against a British newspaper. A judge there ruled against Depp in 2020, finding that Heard had in fact been repeatedly assaulted by Depp. But the sexual assault allegations described by Heard on the stand were not aired publicly during the UK trial.
Heard testified that she was repeatedly physically and sexually assaulted by Depp, usually when he was drunk or on drugs. Depp denied ever hitting Heard and claimed she was the one who was often violent. But lawyers for Heard said his denials lacked credibility in part because he could not remember what he had done when he passed out.
Depp said Heard greatly exaggerated his drinking and tolerated his alcohol well. Depp’s friends, family and employees have taken a stand and supported his claim.
But Heard said Depp had a team around him that cleaned him up when he got sick and allowed him to go about his business without acknowledging the consequences of his drinking.
Three-time Oscar nominee Depp and Heard met in 2009 on the set of “The Rum Diary” and married in February 2015. Their divorce was finalized two years later.