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Johnny Depp trial - live: Amber Heard’s sister and actor Ellen Barkin to testify after court resumes

WARNING: This article contains allegations of physical and sexual violence that some readers may find distressing.

Court proceedings in the defamation trial opposing Johnny Depp and Amber Heard will resume on Monday after a week-long hiatus. Judge Penney Azcarate informed both parties and the jury of the break at the start of the trial.

Heard is being sued by Depp for $50m for implying he abused her in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed. Although she didn’t name him, he claims her allegations impacted his ability to work.

As the break began, both sides issued statements of confidence in how the proceedings are going.

Heard will continue giving testimony on 16 May. She has already spoken extensively about her troubled relationship with Depp and detailed alleged physical fights. The court heard a harrowing account of an alleged sexual assault on Heard during a brutal and bloody altercation in Australia in 2015.

According to reporting by Law & Crime, Depp will also be called back to the witness stand as part of Heard’s case. The jury will also hear from Whitney Henriquez, Heard’s sister, and actor Ellen Barkin, with whom Depp had a brief relationship in the 1990s.

Key points

Why Amber Heard’s defamation trial is being held in Virginia

Thursday 12 May 2022 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The explosive defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is unfolding well outside their normal Hollywood orbit - at a court in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Here’s why:

Why the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard defamation trial is being held in Virginia

SNL viewers criticise ‘grotesque’ Johnny Depp v Amber Heard parody

08:13 , Maanya Sachdeva

Saturday Night Live viewers have condemned the NBC show for parodying the ongoing defamation lawsuit between Johnny Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard.

During the cold open on SNL’s most recent episode, which was aired on Saturday (14 May), Kate McKinnon and other cast members performed a sketch based on the trial.

“I know it’s not the most pertinent story at the moment,” McKinnon began. “But with all the problems in the world, isn’t it nice to have a news story we all can collectively say ‘glad it ain’t me?’”

Turning to “live coverage” of the trial, the rest of the cast spoofed Depp’s prior allegation that Heard had left faecal matter in his bed out of anger.

Social media users have criticised the “grotesque” sketch, with one person writing: “I cannot imagine ever thinking that making jokes about a case with serious abuse allegations (on both sides) is appropriate.”

Read the full story here:

SNL viewers criticise ‘grotesque’ Johnny Depp v Amber Heard parody

Voices: Johnny Depp was lovable onscreen – it doesn’t mean he’s a nice guy

08:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Opinion: Johnny Depp was lovable onscreen – it doesn’t mean he’s a nice guy

Heard claims Depp accused her of affair with Eddie Redmayne

07:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Eddie Redmayne is one of many stars to be named in Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Heard returned to the witness stand for a second day on Thursday 5 May, where she told the court that Depp had accused her of having an affair with Redmayne while they were filming The Danish Girl (2015).

Amber Heard claims Johnny Depp accused her of having an affair with Eddie Redmayne

SNL cast mocks ‘cuckoo’ Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial

06:17 , Maanya Sachdeva

Kate McKinnon mocked the ongoing defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard during the cold open on this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live (14 May).

The comedian touched on other current events including Roe v Wade, the Russian-Ukraine war, and the baby formula shortage, before settling on an update on the multi-million dollar trial.

“I know it’s not the most pertinent story at the moment,” McKinnon began. “But with all the problems in the world, isn’t it nice to have a news story we all can collectively say ‘glad it ain’t me?’”

Turning to “live coverage” of the trial, the rest of the cast spoofed Depp’s prior allegation that Heard had left faecal matter in his bed out of anger.

Inga Parkel reports.

SNL mocks ‘cuckoo’ Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial

Heard describes ‘Disco Bloodbath’ incident with Depp

06:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Actor Amber Heard has described an incident from 2013 in which she claimed her ex-husband Johnny Depp allegedly physically abused her after he accused her of having an affair with a musician.

In a subsequent text, it is alluded to by the title of a book Mr Depp sees.

Amber Heard reveals fight that Johnny Depp called a ‘disco bloodbath’

ICYMI: There was almost an awkward courtroom encounter

04:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard nearly ran into each other as the court took a break shortly after her testimony on an alleged sexual assault by Mr Depp.

Court security stopped Mr Depp from walking out of the courtroom at the break, allowing Ms Heard to leave the witness stand and head back to her legal team on the other side of the room.

Depp and Heard nearly run into each other after her testimony on alleged assault

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard issue duelling statements sharing confidence in trial

03:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard issued duelling statements sharing confidence in their respective legal teams’ standing their defamation trial as the Virginia court proceedings took a week’s break.

The trial resumes in the morning.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard issue duelling statements as court takes week break

Jennifer Grey says she ‘doesn’t recognise’ Johnny Depp in trial footage

02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Dirty Dancing actor Jennifer Grey, who was once engaged to Johnny Depp, says she no longer “recognises” him.

Grey has been sharing her view on the actor’s trial against Amber Heard during the promotional trail for her new memoir, which is titled Out of the Corner.

In the book, Grey reflects on their time together, revealing she was briefly engaged to the Pirates of the Caribbean star in the late 1980s.

Jennifer Grey says she ‘doesn’t recognise’ Johnny Depp in Amber Heard trial footage

The ‘lesser known person’ in Johnny Depp’s US defamation trial

01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

As she entered the witness box to give evidence in the multimillion-dollar US defamation trial against her former partner Johnny Depp, Amber Heard acknowledged that she was “the lesser known person” in the courtroom.

Amber Heard: The ‘lesser known person’ in Johnny Depp’s US defamation trial

What attorneys say about the Depp v Heard trial so far

Monday 16 May 2022 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

In discussions with The Independent during the fourth week of proceedings, three attorneys highlighted the high standard Depp must reach if he hopes to win his defamation case – the same standard Heard must also meet if she wants her countersuit against Depp to be successful. They also pointed to the ultra-public nature of the trial, and the potential gap between the opinions of viewers following the proceedings online and those of jurors, who are prevented from reading up on the trial while it happens.

Read on:

What attorneys say about the Depp v Heard trial

Wildly divergent accounts of fight in Australia

Sunday 15 May 2022 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

WARNING: This article contains allegations of physical and sexual violence that some readers may find distressing.

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have both testified about what they each allege happened during a violent incident in Australia in early 2015, when the latter actor severed his finger.

The alleged incident has been a key point of the trial, with Ms Heard and Mr Depp each sharing their accounts. Over the course of the evening, Mr Depp’s middle finger was cut off. Ms Heard has said she was not awake when the injury happened; Mr Depp has alleged his finger was injured when Ms Heard threw a vodka bottle in his direction.

Ms Heard has alleged that Mr Depp sexually assaulted her with a liquor bottle that night. Mr Depp has denied assaulting Ms Heard.

Read more:

What Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have each said about fight where he severed finger

Most damning things Amber Heard has said about Johnny Depp at defamation trial

Sunday 15 May 2022 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Depp was heard as a witness first, and Ms Heard took the stand on 4 May. Her testimony resumed on 5 May and will continue on Monday 16 May.

Here are the most damning parts of her testimony so far:

Most damning things Amber Heard has said about Johnny Depp at defamation trial

Most damning things Johnny Depp said about Amber Heard at their defamation trial

Sunday 15 May 2022 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Here’s a rundown of some of the most damning things Mr Depp testified about Ms Heard:

Most damning things Johnny Depp said about Amber Heard at their defamation trial

Who will testify when the trial resumes?

Sunday 15 May 2022 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Here are some of the people named as potential witnesses for the final two weeks of the trial:

Who will testify when Depp v Heard trial resumes?

When will there be a verdict?

Sunday 15 May 2022 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The defamation trial with Johnny Depp opposing ex-wife Amber Heard will soon start its fifth week at the courthouse in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Here’s what to expect in the coming weeks:

When will there be a verdict in Johnny Depp’s trial against Amber Heard?

Depp and Heard: A timeline of their relationship and court battles

Sunday 15 May 2022 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Here is a timeline of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s relationship, separation, and court battles, from when they are said to have started dating to the latest trial:

A timeline of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s relationship and court battles

YouTube creators pivot to anti-Amber Heard content

Sunday 15 May 2022 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

YouTube creators are pivoting to anti-Amber Heard content and getting millions of views

Voices: Depp v Heard trial talks about drugs – but do they really make people violent?

Sunday 15 May 2022 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Opinion: Depp v Heard talks about drugs – but do they really cause violence?

Jennifer Grey shares view on ex-fiancé Johnny Depp

Sunday 15 May 2022 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey has shared her view on the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial

Grey, who was briefly engaged to Depp in the late 1980s, reflected on their time together in her new memoir Out of the Corner.

Jennifer Grey shares verdict on ex-fiancé Johnny Depp’s trial against Amber Heard

Why was Kate Moss mentioned in the Amber Heard v Johnny Depp trial?

Sunday 15 May 2022 14:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard said she “instantly” thought “of Kate Moss and stairs” when she recounted a fight with Johnny Depp involving her sister Whitney.

Here’s what she was referring to:

Amber Heard references previous claim Johnny Depp pushed Kate Moss down the stairs

Mr Depp’s lawyers appeared excited at the mention of the rumoured incident involving the British supermodel.

Why is the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial on a break?

Sunday 15 May 2022 13:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The defamation trial between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is taking a 10-day break from testimony.

Having begun on 11 April in Fairfax, Virginia following Mr Depp’s lawsuit against his ex-wife in March 2019, the trial is will resume on 16 May at 9am.

Here’s why:

Why is the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial on a break?

Why is the trial being held in Virginia?

Sunday 15 May 2022 12:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The explosive defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is unfolding well outside their normal Hollywood orbit - at a court in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Here’s why:

Why the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard defamation trial is being held in Virginia

Key revelations so far in the trial

Sunday 15 May 2022 10:00 , Oliver O'Connell

After almost a month of proceedings, Amber Heard’s trial for defamation in a case brought against her by ex-husband Johnny Depp is taking a break for a week.

Court will resume at 9am on 16 May with Judge Penney Azcarate again presiding, as Ms Heard continues her testimony for a third day.

Ms Heard is being sued by Mr Depp for $50m for implying he abused her in a 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post. Although she didn’t name him in the article, he claims her allegations have impacted his ability to land major movie roles.

In 2020 Mr Depp lost a UK defamation case against The Sun after the British tabloid branded him a “wife-beater”. In that case, both he and Ms Heard also took the stand as witnesses — as did others who are testifying in the current trial. However, this time, a round of fresh video depositions and in-person appearances in the witness box are all being streamed live for anyone to watch.

To say some of the revelations have been shocking is an understatement, and some of the testimony has been harrowing.

The differences in the recollection of events are staggering and at some points the timelines have been confusing — not helped by years passing since, and the alleged volume of alcohol and drugs involved during the approximately four-year-long relationship.

Nevertheless, a lot has been revealed about the couple and their lives, both together and apart. Here’s what was learned by the end of week four of the trial.

Key revelations so far in the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard defamation trial

No, Amber Heard did not borrow lines from The Talented Mr Ripley

Sunday 15 May 2022 08:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A claim that Amber Heard lifted from the plot ofThe Talented Mr Ripley for her testimony at the Johnny Depp defamation trial has been debunked.

After the Aquaman actor delivered her second day of testimony at the ongoing trial on Thursday (5 May), she was accused of taking lines verbatim from director Anthony Minghella’s critically acclaimed film.

No, Amber Heard did not use quotes from The Talented Mr Ripley during testimony

Reminder: Why are they suing, what are the allegations and what’s at stake?

Sunday 15 May 2022 06:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The defamation trial opposing Johnny Depp and Amber Heard began with jury selection on 11 April.

Proceedings are being held in Fairfax, Virginia, and are expected to last about six weeks.

Here is everything we know about the basis of the case:

Why is Johnny Depp suing Amber Heard?

Voices: Why do people blindly support Johnny Depp? I’ll tell you why

Sunday 15 May 2022 04:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Opinion: Why do people blindly support Johnny Depp? I’ll tell you why

The Australia fight: What he said happened and what she said happened

Sunday 15 May 2022 02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

WARNING: This article contains allegations of physical and sexual violence that some readers may find distressing.

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have both testified about what they each allege happened during a violent incident in Australia in early 2015, when the latter actor severed his finger.

The alleged incident has been a key point of the trial, with Ms Heard and Mr Depp each sharing their accounts. Over the course of the evening, Mr Depp’s middle finger was cut off. Ms Heard has said she was not awake when the injury happened; Mr Depp has alleged his finger was injured when Ms Heard threw a vodka bottle in his direction.

What Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have each said about fight where he severed finger

Voices: Why is Johnny Depp still the face of Dior Sauvage?

Sunday 15 May 2022 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Opinion: Why is Johnny Depp still the face of Dior Sauvage?

Voices: Why do people blindly support Johnny Depp? I’ll tell you why

Saturday 14 May 2022 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Opinion: Why do people blindly support Johnny Depp? I’ll tell you why

Voices: Say what you like about Depp v Heard, but stop bringing their age gap into it

Saturday 14 May 2022 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Opinion: Say what you like about Depp v Heard, but stop blaming their age gap

Depp & Heard: A timeline of their relationship, allegations, and court battles

Saturday 14 May 2022 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Here is a timeline of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s relationship, separation, and court battles, from when they are said to have started dating to the latest trial:

A timeline of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s relationship and court battles

What attorneys say about the Depp v Heard trial so far

Saturday 14 May 2022 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp set out on a complicated legal path when he sued Amber Heard for defamation. The lawsuit opposing him and Heard in Fairfax, Virginia, which has unfolded over the course of the past four weeks, centres around an op-ed Heard wrote in 2018 for The Washington Post. Heard doesn’t name Depp in the piece but describes herself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse”. Depp and his legal team have contended that the op-ed rests “on the central premise that Ms Heard was a domestic abuse victim and that Mr Depp perpetrated domestic violence against her”, which they say is “categorically and demonstrably false”.

Depp has taken the witness stand in the case, as has Heard. Her testimony is expected to pick up again when the trial, currently on a one-week hiatus, resumes on Monday (16 May). Testimony has focused on the alleged facts of Heard and Depp’s marriage, with Depp and Heard sharing their respective sides. One incident in Australia has been a repeated point of discussion. Depp has alleged that Heard severed his finger that night, while she has alleged that he sexually assaulted her with a bottle and then cut his finger at a different moment during which she was not awake.

In discussions with The Independent during the fourth week of proceedings, three attorneys highlighted the high standard Depp must reach if he hopes to win his defamation case – the same standard Heard must also meet if she wants her countersuit against Depp to be successful.

What attorneys say about the Depp v Heard trial

Voices: What have we learnt from #MeToo? Johnny Depp v Amber Heard holds the answer

Saturday 14 May 2022 14:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Opinion: What have we learnt from #MeToo? Johnny Depp v Amber Heard holds the answer

Voices The unbearable memeification of the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard trial

Saturday 14 May 2022 12:00 , Oliver O'Connell

It’s a messed-up world out there. We’re all aware of course, but every once in a while we receive a reminder of the messed-upness of things so spectacular it cannot be shrugged off. A recent example is the memeification of the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial.

It is, perhaps, an indictment on how firmly I’ve failed to hold my finger on the pulse of digital culture, but I didn’t see it coming. When I read up on the case before the trial started, even when I first traveled to the Fairfax County Courthouse to witness the proceedings, I didn’t think it would come to this. Call it naïveté, but I didn’t think one of the most high-profile domestic violence trials of our era would be chronicled by way of TikTok videos, cut up into soundbites and layered with songs. I didn’t think people would laugh about any of it.

The Johnny Depp v Amber Heard memes have got to stop