Their story is full of twists and turns and seems like it will never end. It all started back in 2016 when Amber Heard filed for divorce after a year and a half of marriage to Johnny Depp, accusing him of domestic violence. The actress from Aquaman claimed that her ex-husband threw a smartphone at her face, before revealing further violent behaviour he had exhibited.
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At the time, there was still talk of an amicable divorce. But not long after, Amber Heard published an article in the Washington Post, claiming to be a victim of domestic violence, both physical and psychological, which the actor has always denied. Although Johnny Depp was not explicitly mentioned in her article, the actor felt he was clearly targeted and decided to file a lawsuit against his ex-wife for defamation, as well as the fact that the whole situation has had a negative effect on his financial situation as well. As it turns out, the actor was fired from the 6th Pirates of the Caribbean film and has sued her for 50 million dollars.
His maid's illuminating testimony
According to Gala, Johnny Depp’s reasons for divorcing Amber Heard date back to a party in 2016. According to Ms Vargas, Johnny Depp's former maid:
She [one of the maids] was pointing to the bed and told me that she couldn’t believe what she had found. I pulled back the top sheet on the bed and saw a large pile of faeces. I was horrified and disgusted. It was clear to me that this was human faeces. I knew that the faeces could not have come from either of Mr Depp's and Ms Heard's two small dogs. I have cleaned up after those dogs many times and their faeces are much smaller. Further, I have never known those dogs to defecate in the bed.
A source close to Amber Heard told The Mirror that a few hours later, she finally admitted it was only a ‘harmless prank’ but it was clearly too much for Johnny Depp who decided to file for divorce.
This crucial testimony was given by Hilda Vargas, one of their maids. Called to testify on the sixth day of the hearing, the maid confirmed these facts, reporting how traumatic it had been for her. Indeed, she had discovered their marital bed covered in faeces. Revealing the photos of the scene that she had taken, she also revealed what Johnny Depp’s ex-wife had said:
Ms Heard told me that the pictures I had taken of the faeces had destroyed her marriage. I was very nervous and so I apologised, even though I did not believe that their marital problems were my fault or that I had done anything wrong. I also told Ms Heard that the faeces were there, that there was nothing I could do. Ms Heard argued with me saying that there were no faeces in the bed.
Hilda Vargas didn’t just report the facts of the events, but also painted Amber Heard in a rather negative light, which will probably have a big impact on the trial:
I have often heard Ms Heard yell at Mr Depp and at other people. She has a bad temper, in my opinion and I did not want her to yell at me. On the contrary, in the over 30 years I have worked for Mr Depp, I have never seen Mr Depp be physical with or yell at anyone.
Could the new trial wash away years of lawsuits?
The trial, which began on July 7 has obviously been quite illuminating, linking all the controversies and his lawsuit against The Sun and the editor Dan Wootoon for defamation. In an article released in April 2018, the News Group Newspapers ruled the allegations of domestic violence against the actor as proven facts, describing him as a ‘wife beater’.
The trial, which was scheduled for mid-March, has had to be postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic but there have been reports that lawyers at the Sun tried to exploit the pandemic in order to cancel legal proceedings. But the British High Court finally ruled in favour of Johnny Depp’s claims on Thursday July 2. Judge Andrew Nicol ruled in favour of the actor’s defamation lawsuits against the media. The trial is due to start on July 7 in London and should last 3 weeks.
Amber Heard will be allowed to be present during the trial, despite the actor’s veto on the matter. The actor is indeed afraid that ‘her testimony would be influenced if she was present while he was cross-examined,' according to Deadline.
Johnny Depp's ex-wives to the rescue
Vanessa Paradis is set to testify in the case against her ex-partner in this trial which began on Tuesday, July 7 at the request of Johnny Depp’s lawyers. The singer was together with Johnny Depp from 1998 to 2012. This is not the first time that Lily-Rose Depp's mother has stood up to defend her former partner. Vanessa Paradis has already testified in writing in May 2016 as you can see in the video above.
But Vanessa Paradis is not the only ghost from his past who will appear on the stand as a witness. Winona Ryder will also come to defend him in the upcoming trial. In a relationship with the actor from 1989 to 1993, the actress recently made unprecedented statements that you can find in the video above.
These testimonies from his former partners are unlikely to have a direct effect on the allegations of domestic violence, but they could somewhat help improve the actor’s now tainted image. But Amber Heard’s lawyers will surely point out the bias that exists here in light of the statements in their latest press release (see video).
The bodyguard's testimony could change everything
Following Hilda Vargas, the housekeeper's statements, another testimony could counterbalance Amber Heard's statements. The actor's bodyguard, Sean Bett, addressed the court on July 16th, and what he added to the case is likely to be of importance.
The bodyguard stated that he never witnessed any violence from his employer towards Amber Heard or anyone else, but he did state that he had seen her throw objects at Johnny Depp's face on several occasions. When the couple argued, the young woman sometimes threw 'bottles, glasses, and other objects' at her ex-husband.
But that's not all: in addition to his testimony, the employee submitted unpublished material evidence to the court, namely photos of Johnny Depp's face which was injured by these physical assaults. Sean Bett's photos and testimony were published in an op-ed piece in the Daily Mail. It is certain that these new elements may influence the trial, but for the moment nothing is decided. To be continued...
See more about this controversial story in our video above.
