Amber Heard’s second day on the stand in the Johnny Depp defamation trial brought intense scrutiny as Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, conducted a blistering cross-examination. The day’s proceedings centered around Heard’s claims of domestic violence, her financial dealings, and inconsistencies in her testimony.
Heard began by recounting alleged instances of physical and sexual assault by Depp, pushing back the timeline of abuse to 2012. However, Vasquez challenged her recollection of events, highlighting discrepancies in her accounts. Heard attributed these inconsistencies to the nature of memory, but her explanations were met with skepticism.
Scrutinizing Medical Records and Challenging Credibility
Vasquez then presented Heard with her medical records, specifically notes from her nurse, Aaron Borum. The notes contradicted Heard’s testimony, stating that she had admitted to substance abuse issues and mental health diagnoses. Heard denied these claims, suggesting that Borum had fabricated information.
An audio recording where Heard admitted to hitting Depp was played, prompting her to explain the context. She claimed her actions were reactive, a response to Depp’s alleged proactive violence. This explanation, however, seemed to contradict her earlier statements about never initiating physical altercations.
Amber Heard takes the stand during a hearing in Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia on May 16, 2022
The Infamous Defecation Incident: Heard’s Version of Events
The infamous “defecation incident,” where Depp alleged that Heard or one of her friends defecated in his bed, was also addressed. Heard placed the blame on Depp’s dog, Boo, citing the animal’s bowel control issues. This contradicted a previous statement from Depp’s bodyguard, who claimed Heard had called it a “practical joke gone wrong.”
Further questioning focused on the night of May 21, 2016, a critical date in the couple’s tumultuous relationship. Heard alleged that Depp, enraged by a phone call she was having with a friend, physically assaulted her, throwing a phone at her face. This incident, she claimed, led to the destruction of their penthouse and her subsequent decision to file for divorce.
Defamation and Financial Disputes Take Center Stage
Heard’s counterclaim against Depp, alleging that he and his lawyer, Adam Waldman, smeared her name and reputation, was also discussed. She vehemently denied accusations of fabricating abuse allegations for personal gain. Vasquez challenged this assertion, highlighting Heard’s public statements about donating her $7 million divorce settlement to charity, a claim that later proved to be untrue.
Vasquez presented a clip from a 2018 interview where Heard stated she had donated the entire settlement. However, under oath, Heard admitted that she had not yet made the full donation, citing Depp’s lawsuit as the reason. This discrepancy in her statements raised further questions about her credibility.
Elon Musk’s Involvement and Unanswered Questions
The cross-examination concluded with Heard admitting that Elon Musk had donated $500,000 to the ACLU on her behalf. She insisted this donation was not related to her pledged amount. However, Vasquez pointed to evidence suggesting that Musk and Heard’s relationship began while she was still married to Depp, casting doubt on her timeline of events.
Amber Heard leaves the Fairfax County Courthouse in Fairfax, Va., on May 18, 2022, after Johnny Depp's defamation trial against her was adjourned for a week
The cross-examination painted a picture of conflicting narratives, with Heard’s credibility called into question multiple times. The intense back-and-forth between Heard and Vasquez left the jury with much to ponder as the trial heads towards its conclusion.
