Johnny Depp’s friend Isaac Baruch weeps in stand during Amber Heard defamation trial
Johnny Depp’s multi-million defamation lawsuit against his former wife, Amber Heard, continues in Virginia. The court has heard from the actor’s sister Christi Dembrowski, who also acted in part as his business manager, and his artist friend and neighbour Isaac Baruch, who gave especially colourful and emotional testimony.
Depp claims a 2018 article written by Heard in The Washington Post – in which she spoke about domestic violence towards women – implied Depp, her former husband, was an abuser.
Although the 35-year-old did not name the actor, lawyers for Depp say Heard’s allegations have made it difficult for the 58-year-old to land roles he previously did.
Depp is known for starring in films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Sweeney Todd and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Heard has appeared in titles including Aquaman and Drive Angry.
He is asking for $50m (£38.2m) in damages during the trial in Fairfax County’s district courthouse. Heard has meanwhile filed a counterclaim of defamation against Depp, who she divorced from in 2017, for nuisance.
Depp has previously lost a defamation case in the UK against British newspaperThe Sun regarding the claims in Heard’s 2018 article.
Earlier: Depp’s sister says Heard called him ‘old and fat’ and family ‘devastated’ by marriage
Johnny Depp’s sister says Amber Heard called him “old and fat” and that the actor’s family was “devastated” at his marriage to her.
Christi Dembrowski made the claims as she took the stand as the first witness in the multi-million dollar defamation trial in Virginia, in which Depp claims that a 2018 article on domestic violence she wrote for The Washington Post implied he was an abuser.
She told the court that while she had seen Ms Heard “be nice” to her brother, she had also seen her “be not nice” and gave details of one such confrontation.
Oliver O’Connell14 April 2022 04:30
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The actor appeared to stifle a laugh during opening statements in the case, when Ms Heard’s lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, told the civil jury of 11 people that “Johny Depp is obsessed with Elon Musk”.
Oliver O’Connell14 April 2022 03:00
Piers Morgan calls Heard and Depp ‘supreme narcissists’ amid ongoing legal battle
In an opinion column for the New York Post, Morgan wrote: “I can honestly say that the number of f***s I give about this shamelessly deluded and self-obsessed pair of whiny wastrels could be written on the back of Mycoplasma genitalium, the planet’s smallest living organism.”
Oliver O’Connell14 April 2022 00:00
Depp’s tearful friend pleads for couple to ‘go heal’
In the defamation case against Amber Heard brought by her ex-husband Johnny Depp, a former neighbour of the couple became emotional during extensive testimony about his friendship with the pair.
Isaac Baruch, who first met Depp as a teenager in Florida and became his longtime friend, lived in one of the five penthouse lofts at the Eastern Columbia Building in Downtown Los Angeles owned by the actor.
At one point on Wednesday, he was asked by Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft if he was angry with her client given all that unfolded as the couple broke up and allegations were made against Depp.
Here’s how he responded:
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 23:00
Judge Azcarate dismisses the jury for the evening.
Court resumes tomorrow at 10am.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 22:24
Patterson is asked about the footage of the “fake punch” and says that it was never requested by either of the legal teams at the time and was therefore not copied and kept.
He does recall footage of one of the females seen with Heard pretending to punch her in the face but reiterates that to his knowledge it was not reproduced as one of the 87 clips selected by lawyers for both parties.
Patterson also says he does not recall at that time that Heard had any injuries.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 22:23
Patterson says in his deposition that Heard asked him to talk to a source at People magazine.
She claimed she was being ridiculed in the press.
When asked, he also denies that Depp ever offered him any money.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 21:45
Earlier: Johnny Depp’s friend insists actor and wife were ‘loving’ couple
A friend of Johnny Depp testified as a witness on day three of the defamation trial opposing Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Isaac Baruch was called to testify on Wednedsay (13 April) in Fairfax, Virginia. He took the stand after cross-examination wrapped up for Mr Depp’s sister Christi Dembrowski.
Mr Baruch said he first got to know Mr Depp when both were teenagers in Florida, playing in bands. He testified for a couple of hours, giving colourful testimony that at times drew smiles and laughs from others in the courthouse – including Mr Depp and Ms Heard themselves.
Clémence Michallon reports.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 21:30
After a short mid-afternoon break, Mr Patterson’s testimony resumes in a much emptier courtroom than during Mr Baruch’s earlier testimony.
Oliver O’Connell13 April 2022 21:06
