Depp’s attorneys challenge Heard on abuse claims

Attorneys for actor Johnny Depp began their questioning of Amber Heard in the couple's defamation trial on Monday and challenged the Aquaman star's claims that she suffered physical abuse before and during their brief marriage.

Depp's attorneys introduced photographs of Heard making public appearances on red carpets and The James Corden Show shortly after times that she said Depp had struck her with his hands, on which he usually wore heavy rings.

The pictures shown to jurors appeared to reveal no injuries. Heard said the harm, which included what she thought was a broken nose, was not severe enough to be visible or was covered up by makeup.

Depp, 58, is suing Heard, 36, for US$50 million, saying she defamed him when she claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse. Heard has countersued for US$100 million, arguing that Depp smeared her by calling her a liar.

At the start of crossexamination of Heard, an attorney for Depp asked Heard if she had abused Depp and was further harming him with false allegations.

“I could never hurt Johnny,” Heard said.

Earlier, Heard told jurors that she filed for divorce from Depp in 2016 because she worried she would not survive physical abuse by him. She said she realized the relationship was beyond repair after he threw a cell phone that hit her in the face.

“I knew I had to leave him,” she said. Reuters