by Lisa Richwine
(Reuters) – The jury deliberates on Friday in the lawsuit between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard after six weeks of debate and testimony, sometimes shocking, which traced the tumultuous relationship of the former couple of actors.
The 58-year-old ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star is suing Amber Heard in Virginia court, accusing her of defaming him by portraying himself in a press gallery as a victim of domestic violence. He claims 50 million dollars (46.64 million euros) in compensation.
Amber Heard, 36, has countersued and is asking for $100 million, claiming Johnny Depp defamed her when her lawyer called the charges a “hoax”.
Lawyers for both sides deliver their closing arguments on Friday. The seven jurors will then retire to deliberate. If they do not agree on a verdict by evening, they will meet again on Tuesday, Judge Penney Azcarate said.
Johnny Depp denies hitting Amber Heard or any other woman and accuses her of becoming violent during their relationship. The couple met in 2011 and married in February 2015. Their divorce was finalized about two years later.
During the six-week high-profile trial, jurors listened to tapes of arguments, saw photos of a bloody finger and heard arguing over feces found in the couple’s bed.
The case was born in December 2018 from a column published by Amber Heard in the Washington Post. Although Johnny Depp’s name is not mentioned there, his attorney told jurors it was clear the American actress was referring to the actor.
Johnny Depp has said the allegations cost him “everything”, including several roles in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Fantastic Beasts” franchises.
Amber Heard’s lawyers argued that she had spoken the truth and that her remarks were covered by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. They said she also lost professional opportunities because of Johnny Depp’s accusations.
Johnny Depp’s lawyers filed suit in the United States in Fairfax County, Virginia, because The Washington Post is printed there. The newspaper is not involved in the procedure.
(Report Lisa Richwine, French version Augustin Turpin, edited by Sophie Louet)