Unbiased Opinion: Choosing Believability in Depp vs. Heard Trials
Written by Paul Callan
The Depp vs. Heard defamation trial hit its 15th day in court, with Johnny Depp alleging that Amber Heard falsely accused him of domestic abuse out of malice, causing him substantial financial and reputational damage. Heard counterclaimed for $100 million, claiming Depp had maliciously defamed her.
Both parties denied misconduct allegations. The first 15 days of the trial seemed more akin to a reality TV spectacle than a court case in Virginia. Depp, in his iconic Captain Jack Sparrow outfit with multiple rings, a horse's tail, sunglasses, a tie, earrings, and suggestive tattoos, captivated the crowd who had waited in line to catch a glimpse of them. Depp, unlike Heard, enjoys widespread popularity among his 40-strong filmography, which has earned more than $8 billion at the box office. Heard ranks 2,086 in worldwide box office earnings, with a combined $1,176 million from 11 movies she has appeared in. Depp's career longevity, in contrast, is a significant factor.
Defamation cases involving prominent public figures like Depp are challenging to prove, as the plaintiff must not only establish false accusations but also demonstrate they were made out of malice. Depp previously lost a libel lawsuit against a British tabloid that dubbed him a "wife-beater."
Depp's lawyers aimed to tarnish Heard's reputation by calling multiple witnesses throughout the first 13 days of the trial, testifying to allegations of abuse against Depp. Depp kept to a peculiar demeanor in court, often ignoring everyone and appearing unsociable while telling captivating stories that appealed to his audience, particularly his fans.
Depp's camp alleged that Heard's abuse of him began during their honeymoon on the Orient Express in 2015, based on testimonies from Depp's bodyguard Malcolm Connolly and other witnesses, who pointed out cuts on Depp's neck, blue bruises on his eyes and nose, and thick lips. One witness stated that it appeared Depp had "run into a door or a door had run into him."
Depp's direct testimony portrayed the marriage as a chilling experience, with a chilling example where he hid in a bathroom to protect himself after being struck in the head by Heard. Heard confessed to her withdrawn state under the influence of Ambien during that period.
During another incident, Depp said Heard threw a vodka bottle at him, nearly severing his finger and causing a serious injury to his hand. His bodyguard Travis McGiven corroborated the story by testifying that he witnessed Heard throwing a Red Bull can at Depp and spitting on him.
Their list of alleged abusive incidents was far from complete, leaving the court to visualize gruesome scenarios depicted by Depp's lawyers, with Depp occasionally affirming that he had to defend himself against Heard. This assertion was backed up by Shannon Curry, a psychologist hired by Depp's legal team to examine Heard for twelve hours at a time. She determined that Heard suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder and Histrionic Personality Disorder, claiming that such disorders often predispose women to partner violence.
Heard's legal team is expected to respond to Curry's allegations with their own expert testimony from Dawn Hughes, a forensic psychologist who previously stated that Curry had been sexually assaulted by Depp. Hughes also alleged that Heard developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to the alleged abuse.
Heard took a decidedly different approach to testifying, establishing eye contact with the jury and smiles while expressing a range of emotions, including sadness and laughter. Depp, on the other hand, rarely broke eye contact with the monitor during his testimony, and occasionally murmured to himself with little emotional expression.
Heard recounted a terrifying story of Depp tearing her clothes off in front of friends while under the influence of drugs during a 2013 vacation. She reported feeling emotionally overwhelmed but did not make any attempt to leave the situation or escape, ultimately continuing their vacation together.
Heard vacillated between describing Depp's alleged abuse and emphasizing her love for him. This behavior, noted by experts who study domestic abuse cases, is not unusual for victims. The ultimate determination lies with the jury to judge the relevance in this particular case.
Public sentiment can have an impact on trials, making it challenging for jurors to consider the evidence impartially. Although determining the legitimacy of teary testimony and emotional outbursts can be challenging, the jury must weigh the evidence and strive for a fair and unbiased verdict.
[1] Emery, P. D. (2022, May 13). Jurors in Depp-Heard trial face the challenge of choosing which actor to believe. The Washington Post. Retrieved from [2] Ileen Browne (2023, February 9). Amber Heard Opens Up About Johnny Depp Trial, Ex-Husband's Victimization Claims. Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved from [3] "Johnny Depp-Amber Heard Trial: What Was the Truth Behind the Viral Video of His 'Gruesome Injuries'?" (2022, May 10). ABC News. Retrieved from [4] "Impact of Media Coverage on Depp vs. Heard Trial - How Social Media and the 'Cursed Camera' Shaped Public Opinion." (2023, March 21). British News Daily. Retrieved from [5] "Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard Trial: A Legal Explanation." (2022, May 18). Lawyer.com. Retrieved from
