The highly publicized defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has captivated audiences around the world, sparking intense debate and discussion. As the case calms down, Johnny’s legal team reflects on the challenges they face while fighting the case. According to Johnny’s lawyers, one of the most important hurdles was keeping the actor’s anger under control during the difficult trial. Read also: Johnny Depp says his life turned into a ‘television soap opera’ during messy divorce with Amber Heard: ‘But I’m OK’
look back at the trial
The actor’s two lawyers, Benjamin Chew and Jessica Meyers, shared details about the 2022 Virginia defamation case and their legal strategy in a new special interrogation of RAW: Celebrities Under Oath, reports People,
At one point, Chew revealed why the legal team thought it was helpful to make fun of Johnny while testifying, and that they were worried the actor might get angry during cross-examination.
Chew said, “Johnny’s use of humor really undermined the serious thing Amber’s lawyer was saying. We wanted to humanize Johnny in front of the jury so they could understand what it was like to kill the woman he loved. Why was there something he wasn’t capable of.”
“But, one thing we are worried about is whether he might lose his temper. The other party will do everything possible to make Johnny appear angry. One of the things lawyers try to do during cross-examination is to maintain control over the witness. “That’s something that Johnny didn’t give (Heard’s attorney Ben Rottenborn) permission to do.”
Following the verdict, Chew shared that Jonny felt as if the weight of the world had “lifted off his shoulders”. None of Amber Heard’s lawyers in the trial participated in the Interrogation Raw special.
on the case
Johnny, 61, sued his ex-wife Amber, 38, for defamation over an op-ed he wrote about surviving domestic abuse, even though she did not name him in the article. The jury sided with Johnny Depp and after reaching a settlement, he was ordered to pay $1 million in damages.
In a statement directly after the verdict, Amber said she was “deeply saddened that the mountain of evidence is still not enough to stand up to my ex-husband’s disproportionate power, influence and dominance”.
Also, Johnny said, “Telling the truth was something I was grateful for, my children and everyone who stood firm in my support. I feel at peace knowing that I have finally accomplished it.”
Johnny and Amber Heard got married at their Los Angeles home in 2015 after dating for almost three years. In May 2016, Amber filed for divorce from Johnny and obtained a temporary restraining order against him.
