A psychologist in Johnny Depp’s defamation trial has claimed Amber Heard suffered PTSD caused by sexual and physical violence by her ex-husband.
Johnny launched a $50 million defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife in 2019, after she wrote about being an alleged victim of domestic violence in an op-ed for the Washington Post in December 2018.
While his name was excluded from the piece, Johnny’s legal team has argued that the op-ed implied that he “perpetrated domestic violence against her.”
Amber has countersued Johnny, asking for $100 million and claiming she suffered “rampant physical violence and abuse” at his hands.
As the actor’s libel trial moves into its fourth week, the court heard forensic accountant Michael Spindler testify that he estimated the actor had missed out on about $40m as a result of Amber’s allegations.
Michael’s evidence closed Johnny’s case, and it was now time for the defendant’s to argue their point.
Amber’s lawyer Ben Rottenborn began proceedings by filing a motion to have the trial dismissed, telling the court that Johnny had failed to make his case as a matter of law and that no reasonable jury could find in his favour.
Johnny’s lawyer spoke out against the motion in a heated speech, saying: “She’s the abuser.”
Judge Azcarate dismissed the motion and allowed the case to continue, with the first witness for Amber’s team being Dr Dawn Hughes.
Dr Hughes told the court that she spent a total of 29 hours evaluating Amber and came to the conclusion that the actress suffered PTSD caused by violence suffered at the hands of Depp, including multiple acts of sexual assault.
Dr Hughes also detailed the sexual violence Amber had endured during her and Johnny’s relationship, telling the jurors the actress had described numerous instances of sexual abuse to her, including one instance which Amber claimed her then husband had penetrated her with a bottle.
Amber’s first witness proceeded to tell the court that the actress had reported “going outside of her body and the only thing she was thinking is, ‘oh God, I hope it’s not the broken one'”.
The Aquaman actress appeared visibly upset as her first witness testified in court.
Dr Hughes also told the court that the instances of sexual abuse had been corroborated, through apologies and text messages Johnny had sent to friends.
While the Pirates of the Caribbean actor strongly denies abusing his ex-wife, Dr Hughes claimed his violence was intimidating and threatened his then wife’s safety.
Dr Hughes testified that the actress was aware she did at times push and shove Depp, call him names and insult his parenting, but Johnny’s abuse was more extreme.
The psychologist continued that the abuse stemmed from the actor’s “obsessive jealousy,” as she revealed that Johnny had warned Amber to avoid nude scenes, criticised her ambition and accused the actress of having affairs with co-stars such as Billy Bob Thornton and James Franco.
Dr Hughes also alleged Johnny would call Amber’s co-stars or directors and tell them he “had eyes” on set.
In court today, Johnny’s team will cross examine Dr Hughes, while Amber is expected to take to the stand to testify for the first time.
