Johnny Depp has told a court it was his ex-wife Amber Heard who was violent and abusive in their relationship, not him – describing how she once hurt him with a ’round punch’ and giving her side of the fight that led to his now infamous severed finger.
Speaking on day six of his defamation lawsuit against the actress, Depp told the jury that Heard sometimes showed “pure hatred” for him and that arguments could “escalate” into her becoming violent – with a slap, a push or a “glass of wine in the face”.
The actor said his former partner had a “need for conflict” and “couldn’t be wrong”, and often used his children against him, calling him a “terrible father”.
During his testimony, Depp recounted how he cut his finger during the couple’s trip to Australia in 2015 – something that has already been repeated several times during the trial – saying that Heard had “thrown one bottle and then threw another, causing the injury, which he described as “grotesque”.
The actress, who has yet to speak, denies causing the injury.
Disclaimer: This article contains a graphic image of Depp’s severed finger.
Depp is suing Amber Heard for defamation for $50m (£38.2m), while she filed a counterclaim for $100m (£76.4m).
Depp told the court he was “probably the closest I’ve ever been” to having a nervous breakdown after his fingertip was severed during the argument, recounting in detail how his hand looked like ” like Vesuvius” like blood flowed.
Key points from Depp’s testimony – Day 6 of the trial
• Depp has again denied physically or sexually abusing Heard during their relationship, saying it was the actress who became violent and caused arguments.
• The actor said he often locks himself in the bathroom to retreat from growing rows
• He said his now infamous severed finger was caused by Heard throwing a bottle at him – she is expected to refute this when she testifies
• Jurors saw a graphic image of Depp’s severed finger in court
• Regardless of the outcome of the trial, the actor says he will carry Heard’s allegations for the rest of his life
• Catch up on what has been said so far in our live coverage of the trial as it happens
Depp is suing Heard for defamation for $50m (£38.2m), while Heard has filed a counterclaim for $100m (£76.4m).
The lawsuit, which saw various allegations of excessive alcohol and drug use, centered on a 2018 article Heard wrote in The Washington Post, which Depp’s attorneys say falsely implies that he l physically and sexually assaulted.
Depp showed the court his injured finger
“It could start with throwing a TV remote at my head”
Giving evidence for the second day in a row, Depp said that over time his marriage to Heard began to feel like he was “in a relationship” with his mother.
He said it sometimes seemed like Heard had “pure hatred” for him and often it “escalated into violence” – on his part. When asked what he meant by that, Depp replied that Heard in his “frustration”, his “rage” and his “anger”, “scratches sometimes”.
He said it could start with a slap or a push, “it could start with throwing a TV remote at my head” or a “glass of wine in my face”.
Depp said Heard engaged in “teenage high school tactics” and his “bullying” got too much.
Depp says he’s ‘never’ hit a woman in his life
At some point during the day’s hearing in Fairfax, Va., Depp was asked about the first incident of alleged domestic violence, which Heard said happened in early 2013.
The actress claims the alleged incident was sparked by her laughing at Depp’s ‘Wino Forever’ tattoo – which changed to ‘Winona Forever’ after he split from actress Winona Ryder in the 1990s.
Depp told the court it “did not happen”, repeating earlier claims that he had never hit Heard and saying he had “never hit a woman in my life”.
The severed finger: “I was looking at my bone”
Speaking about the 2015 trip to Australia, which took place shortly after Depp and Heard got married, the actor said it was “probably the closest I’ve ever been” to having a nervous breakdown .
Heard has previously claimed that Depp was violent during this trip and described it as a “three-day hostage situation”.
Jurors saw this graphic image of Depp’s severed finger
Depp pictured in hospital in Australia after his finger injury
Depp accused her of throwing a bottle at him which shattered. He said he “felt no pain” at first, but looked down and realized his fingertip had been severed.
“I looked down and realized the tip of my finger had been cut off and I was looking directly at my bone sticking out, and the fleshy part of the inside of your finger,” he said. to the jury.
“Blood was just flowing and…I don’t know what a nervous breakdown feels like, but this is probably the closest I’ve ever been. Nothing made sense.
“I knew in my mind and in my heart that this was not life. No one should have to go through this.”
Heard could be seen listening carefully to Depp’s testimony – she will have her turn later in the trial
Jurors received a warning when shown the photo of Depp’s injured finger, which was entered into evidence.
Depp told the court that in his shock he wrote “little reminders” of Heard’s “lies” in blood on the walls of the property they were staying at.
“He controlled every second I was awake”
Depp also told the court how Heard’s abuse allegations affected his life. When they were first made public, he says he felt “sick” watching the story “gain momentum around the world”. He said he needs to tell his children what to expect before they are shown items at school.
You notice people “look at you differently” and the calls from agents and producers stop, Depp told the court. “To say it was unfair is pretty much the biggest understatement…it was controlling every second I was awake.”
A People magazine cover featuring Heard on the cover with bruises allegedly caused by Depp was shown to the jury
He went on to say that, despite the fact that Heard’s Washington Post article doesn’t mention him by name, it was “obviously” about him and their relationship.
Asked what he lost because of the charges, he replied, “Nothing less than everything.”
He continued: “When the allegations were made, when the allegations quickly went around the world, telling people that I was a drunken, cocaine-fueled menace who beat women – suddenly in my 50s – it is over. It’s over.”
Depp told the court that regardless of the outcome of this lawsuit, he will carry these allegations “for the rest of my life.”
The actor’s cross-examination began in the final 30 minutes of Wednesday’s hearing and will continue Thursday.
You Can Read Also
