Actor Johnny Depp, testifying in a defamation case against his former wife and actor Amber Heard, said on Wednesday that she was the one who became violent in their relationship and that her false accusations cost him "nothing less than everything."
In a second day on the witness stand in a Virginia courtroom on Wednesday, Depp said the couple had frequent arguments that included "demeaning name-calling" and "bullying" by Heard.
Depp said it was Heard who would "strike out" with a slap or shove. During one argument, Heard threw a vodka bottle at Depp's hand, cutting off the top of his right middle finger and exposing bone, he said. The actor said he felt like he was suffering some kind of breakdown and began writing on the wall with blood from the injury. He said he wrote reminders of "lies" Heard had told him.
According to Depp, Heard accused him of “head butting” her and breaking her nose, returning minutes later with a tissue she said was stained with blood. Depp said he later retrieved the tissue and found the red stain came from nail polish.
The actor said he would remove himself from heated arguments, sometimes locking himself in a bedroom or bathroom, and never struck Heard. “My main goal was to retreat,” he said.
Depp has also accused Heard, of defaming him when she penned a December 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse.
Attorneys for Heard, who just started their cross-examination of Depp late on Wednesday, have argued that she told the truth and that her opinion was protected as free speech under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. In opening arguments, Heard’s attorneys said Depp physically and sexually assaulted her while abusing drugs and alcohol.
Depp said Heard’s allegations cost him “nothing less than everything.” A new “Pirates” movie was put on hold, and Depp was dropped from the “Fantastic Beasts” film franchise, a “Harry Potter” spinoff.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star, 58, is suing Heard, 35, for US$50 million after she accused him of abuse. A state court judge in Fairfax County, Virginia, is overseeing the trial, which is in its second week and is expected to last six weeks.
Depp and Heard, known for her roles in “Aquaman” and “Justice League,” were married for roughly two years. Their divorce was finalized in 2017.
In a second day on the witness stand in a Virginia courtroom on Wednesday, Depp said the couple had frequent arguments that included "demeaning name-calling" and "bullying" by Heard.
Depp said it was Heard who would "strike out" with a slap or shove. During one argument, Heard threw a vodka bottle at Depp's hand, cutting off the top of his right middle finger and exposing bone, he said. The actor said he felt like he was suffering some kind of breakdown and began writing on the wall with blood from the injury. He said he wrote reminders of "lies" Heard had told him.
According to Depp, Heard accused him of “head butting” her and breaking her nose, returning minutes later with a tissue she said was stained with blood. Depp said he later retrieved the tissue and found the red stain came from nail polish.
The actor said he would remove himself from heated arguments, sometimes locking himself in a bedroom or bathroom, and never struck Heard. “My main goal was to retreat,” he said.
Depp has also accused Heard, of defaming him when she penned a December 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse.
Attorneys for Heard, who just started their cross-examination of Depp late on Wednesday, have argued that she told the truth and that her opinion was protected as free speech under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. In opening arguments, Heard’s attorneys said Depp physically and sexually assaulted her while abusing drugs and alcohol.
Depp said Heard’s allegations cost him “nothing less than everything.” A new “Pirates” movie was put on hold, and Depp was dropped from the “Fantastic Beasts” film franchise, a “Harry Potter” spinoff.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star, 58, is suing Heard, 35, for US$50 million after she accused him of abuse. A state court judge in Fairfax County, Virginia, is overseeing the trial, which is in its second week and is expected to last six weeks.
Depp and Heard, known for her roles in “Aquaman” and “Justice League,” were married for roughly two years. Their divorce was finalized in 2017.
