Johnny Depp’s Lawyers Say Amber Heard Faked Abuse to Advance Career

variety.com:

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterJohnny Depp’s lawyers accused his ex-wife, Amber Heard, of fabricating domestic violence claims against him in order to advance her own career, as a defamation trial got underway in Virginia.Depp has sued Heard for $50 million, alleging that she devastated his career when she revived her allegations against him in a 2018 op-ed in the Washington Post.

Depp’s attorneys — Ben Chew and Camille Vasquez — noted that the piece was published just before the release of “Aquaman,” in which Heard starred, and helped her portray herself as a sympathetic advocate for women.“She presented herself as the face of the #MeToo movement — the virtuous representative of innocent women across the country and the world who have truly suffered abuse,” Vasquez said. “The evidence will show that was a lie.” The trial is expected to last about six weeks, as 11 jurors will be asked to sort through a mountain of documentary evidence and conflicting testimony to decide who is telling the truth.Heard has accused Depp of numerous instances of assault, including times when she alleges Depp grabbed her by the neck, threw her against a wall, choked her and punched her.

She has filed a $100 million counterclaim against Depp, alleging that his lawyer defamed her by accusing her of fabricating a hoax.Heard’s side will have a chance to present their opening statement later in the morning.Vasquez argued that Heard was “manipulative” and was preparing to give “the performance of her life” on the witness stand.Chew argued that Heard’s allegations have caused severe harm to Depp’s career, because Hollywood studios do not want to face the backlash that comes with hiring someone accused of domestic violence.“The evidence will show.