Johnny Depp's lawyer is rehashing his trial with Amber Heard.
On Thursday's A&E special, “Interrogator: Celebrities Under Oath,” the actor's two attorneys, Benjamin Chu and Jessica Myers, weigh in on the highly publicized 2022 Virginia libel case. Shined a light.
Chu and Myers talked about legal strategy and explained why they thought Depp's jokes on the stand would be helpful during his testimony.
Mr Chu also acknowledged that his lawyers were concerned that the Pirates of the Caribbean star would become emotional during cross-examination.
“Johnny's use of humor really undermined the serious points that Amber's lawyer was trying to make,” he said. “We wanted to humanize Johnny and help the jury understand why he can't beat the woman he loves.”
“But what we're worried about is that he's going to throw a tantrum. The other side is going to do everything they can to get Johnny to express his anger.”
The lawyer explained: “One of the things lawyers try to do in cross-examination is maintain control of the witness, which Johnny never allowed. [Heard’s attorney Ben Rottenborn] to do. ”
Depp, 61, is suing his ex-wife, 38, for libel over an op-ed she wrote about surviving domestic violence, despite not mentioning the star by name in the article. The jury sided with Depp, and after a settlement was reached, Heard was ordered to pay Depp $1 million in damages.
Mr. Chu said this on “Live Interrogation.” What was special was that the team called Depp after the verdict was read, as he was not in the courtroom. “He was overjoyed and sounded as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders,” he recalled. “I mean, he sounded like a child. He was so excited.”
In a statement read after the verdict, Ms Heard said: “I am heartbroken that the mounting evidence was not yet sufficient to counter my ex-husband's disproportionate power, influence and influence.” . The woman, who now lives a quiet life in Spain, said the results “reverse the idea that violence against women should be taken seriously.”
“The jury gave me my life back,” Depp said. He admitted: “I owed it to my children and to everyone who continued to support me steadfastly to tell the truth. I am relieved that I have finally accomplished that.”
However, Mr Heard's lawyer was absent from the meeting. special. Elaine Charleson Bredehoft, who represented the actress during the trial, said: told the people He said it was a “huge mistake” to allow the legal battle to be televised earlier this year, adding that “social media has completely taken over that trial”.
“There should be no cameras in sexual assault or domestic violence courtrooms.” [cases]. I hope the rest of the world realizes that and doesn't repeat that mistake,” she told the outlet.
After the 2022 verdict, Mr Heard said in an interview with Savannah Guthrie on NBC News that he felt Mr Depp used his charisma to win over the jury. “He's a beloved character and people feel like they know him. He's a great actor,” she said.
Explaining why on-stage cross-examination is so nerve-wracking, Hurd said, “The scariest thing, the scariest thing for anyone who talks about sexual violence, is not being believed, being called a liar, being humiliated.'' He explained.
The two married in 2015, but Heard filed for divorce in May 2016, just days after her mother's death.
