Johnny Depp took the stand and denied all the domestic abuse accusations of his ex-wife Amber Heard. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor stressed that she never hit Heard throughout their marriage.
During the cross-examination on Wednesday in a London courtroom, Depp answered all the accusations of domestic abuse by Heard. This included the allegation that Depp physically abused the Aquaman actress after she laughed at his Winona Ryder tattoo.
Sasha Wass, the lawyer for News Group Newspapers, the parent company of The Sun, told the court that Depp previously had a tattoo that read, "Winona Forever," in honor of his ex-fiancée, actress Winona Ryder. Wass said the actor later on altered the tattoo to "Wino Forever."
He claimed when Heard made a joke out of Depp's Winona Ryder tattoo, the actor got mad and slapped his then-wife in the face. Apparently, it happened when Depp was drinking heavily after 160 days of sobriety.
The 57-year-old actor sued NGN for libel over its 2018 story that referred to Depp as a "wife-beater." The publication defended its story in court by stating that the article was based on the allegations made by Heard.
NGN previously tried to have the libel case thrown out. The judge, however, ruled that the case could go ahead.
On the second day of the court proceeding, Wass told the court that Depp slapped his ex-wife three times when the latter laughed at the actor's Winona Ryder tattoo. He said it was the first incident of domestic violence in the ex-couple's marriage.
Depp, however, claimed he did not recall any argument with Heard about any of his tattoos. The Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald actor acknowledged his addiction in the past but also told the court that Heard never supported his attempt to avoid alcohol and drugs. In fact, Depp said he had seen Amber taking cocaine in front of him.
Wass also alleged that Depp once again hit Heard when they argued about a painting by Heard's former partner, artist Taysa Van Ree, that hung in their home. Depp admitted that he was often jealous but denied the claim that he took down the painting, set it on fire, and slapped the actress when she tried to stop him.
On the first day of the libel case, Depp denied being violent towards Heard. He said, on the contrary, it was Heard who got violent towards him.
He also accused Heard of building a "dossier" early on their marriage. Depp said it appeared that the actress thought of it as her insurance policy that she could use later on.
According to The Guardian, the defense relies on Heard allegations of violence during their 15-month marriage to the actor. Depp has so far denied all of them, saying they were "patently untrue" and "not correct." He described the allegation that he was a serial domestic abuser as a "hoax."
