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by Amel SEMMACHE
Agence France Presse
FAIRFAX, United States (AFP) — Jury choice started on Monday within the blockbuster defamation case about allegations of spousal abuse between Hollywood star Johnny Depp and his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard.
The 58-year-old Depp, after dropping a high-profile libel case in London, has introduced go well with in opposition to the 35-year-old Heard in the US.
A couple of dozen Depp followers holding small black pirate flags — a nod to his starring function within the “Pirates of the Caribbean” — gathered exterior the Fairfax County Courthouse as jury choice started.
One held an indication studying “Justice for Johnny.” Depp, who was married to Heard from 2015 to 2017, arrived in court docket by a again door.
Jury choice, which is predicted to final in the future, is just not being televised however the decide listening to the case has stated there will likely be a reside broadcast beginning with opening arguments on Tuesday.
Each Depp and Heard are anticipated to testify together with actors James Franco and Paul Bettany, and billionaire Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk.
The case facilities on a column written by Heard and printed in The Washington Publish in December 2018 through which she describes herself as a “public determine representing home abuse” who was pilloried on-line after her assault claims.
The column was entitled: “I spoke up in opposition to sexual violence — and confronted our tradition’s wrath. That has to alter.”
The actress by no means named Depp, who she met on the set of the 2011 movie “The Rum Diary,” however he sued her for defamation for implying he was an abuser, searching for $50 million in damages.
“The op-ed’s clear implication that Mr Depp is a home abuser is categorically and demonstrably false. Mr Depp by no means abused Ms Heard,” the grievance says.
Depp accuses Heard of searching for to “generate optimistic publicity for herself” forward of the discharge of the movie “Aquaman,” through which she had a starring function.
Heard countersued, asking for $100 million, saying she suffered “rampant bodily violence and abuse” at his palms.
“The frivolous lawsuit Mr Depp has filed in opposition to Ms Heard continues that abuse and harassment,” her counterclaim says.
– Intimate particulars laid naked –
Depp filed his case in Virginia because the Publish is printed there however he’s not suing the newspaper itself.
Virginia additionally has defamation legal guidelines thought of to be extra favorable to plaintiffs than these in California, the place the 2 actors reside.
The trial, presided over by Decide Penney Azcarate, is predicted to final a number of weeks.
Depp and Heard are anticipated to testify in particular person, whereas some witnesses could also be heard by way of video hyperlink.
Extra particulars in regards to the non-public lives of the 2 actors are anticipated to emerge.
Beginning in 2016, Heard sought a restraining order in opposition to Depp amid abuse allegations. Their divorce was finalized in 2017.
Depp misplaced the London case, which he introduced in opposition to The Solar for branding him a “spouse beater.” His try to enchantment was rejected in March final yr.
That trial laid naked particulars of the couple’s risky relationship, together with Depp’s battle with medicine and alcohol.
Heard testified that she liked the sober Depp — however that he grew to become a “monster” after days-long binges on highly effective prescription and different medicine.
Depp’s profession has suffered within the wake of that case.
He left his function as Captain Jack Sparrow within the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.
Depp additionally has stated he was requested to step down from the “Incredible Beasts” collection primarily based on the e-book by Harry Potter creator J.Okay. Rowling. He has been changed by Mads Mikkelsen.
In a quirk of timing, the subsequent film in that collection opens in US theaters on April 15.
© Agence France-Presse
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