Johnny Depp’s highly publicized libel lawsuit against The Sun concluded last week after an intense 16-day trial filled with shocking testimonies, accusations of domestic abuse, and fierce counter-arguments from both sides. As one of the most significant libel cases in British legal history, the trial saw Depp and his ex-wife, Amber Heard, at the center of the courtroom drama.
Heard, known for her understated but elegant courtroom style, consistently opted for tailored pieces, often pairing sleek monochrome outfits with her signature red polka-dot scarf.
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp made a striking appearance on the red carpet in 2015, with Amber in a satin lace-trimmed dress and Johnny in a sleek all-black suit paired with layered accessories (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
Amber Heard’s Testimony on the Fifteenth Day of the Trial
The legal team for NGN, The Sun’s publisher, defended its “wife-beater” article as true based on Amber Heard’s 14 allegations of domestic violence.
Sasha Wass, The Sun’s lawyer, made its closing submission on Monday last week, calling Johnny Depp a “hopeless addict” and saying that his “deep misogyny” combined with his addiction to drugs and alcohol-fueled his violence towards Amber Heard.
“There is no doubt that Mr. Depp regularly and systematically abused his wife. The characterization that he is a wife beater is entirely truthful.”
“Permeating all of the evidence, in this case, is the character of Mr. Depp himself — his well-documented evidence of violence and destruction over his adult life which have occurred when he was under the influence of drink and drugs.”
Last month, Johnny admitted to drugs and alcohol problems but denied Amber’s accusations that he had been violent towards her.
Johnny Depp exudes his signature style in a pinstripe suit layered with a dark shirt, vest, and a loosely knotted scarf, topped off with his iconic round glasses (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
The Sun’s lawyer added: “He created a misogynistic persona of (Amber) as the stereotype of a nagging woman,” branding Amber “a gold-digger, a shrew, and an adulterer” to discredit her.
Sasha Wass also said Johnny Depp aspired “to be a Southern gentleman with a young and beautiful wife.” She added that a Southern gentleman needs a “supplicant wife” and described Amber as a “modern and ambitious woman” who was not ready for that role.
“Ms. Heard tolerated the violence and the abuse because she loved Mr. Depp and she believed she was capable of getting him better,” she added.
On the trial’s 15th day, Amber Heard opted for a white crepe sheath dress from former Spice Girls’ Victoria Beckham’s eponymous clothing label.
Amber Heard waves outside the courthouse in a chic white sheath dress paired with a black blazer, accessorized with her signature red scarf and classic black pumps on July 27, 2020 (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
The body-skimming frock has a crewneck, short sleeves, and a two-way zip along the back. Sticking to her signature trial look, Amber layered her look with a black jacket from London-based fashion designer Bella Freud.
Amber Heard steps out of the courthouse confidently, with her hand raised and a slight smile, holding her signature red scarf and walking in sleek black pumps (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
The Texas-born star kept her accessories to a minimum, with just a couple of rings and a dainty gold bracelet.
Wearing her blonde hair down in natural curls, Amber took off her trademark dotted red scarf and revealed her minimally made-up face. She also carried her Saint Laurent Loulou bag, which she has used since the first day of the trial.
Amber Heard wears soft pink makeup with her naturally curly hair down (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
A pair of her favorite Brian Atwood “Cassandra” black pumps rounded out her court look.
Amber Heard teams her look with her favorite Brian Atwood pumps (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
Amber Heard’s Final Statement and Outfit Choices on the Last Day of the Trial
Amber Heard made her final statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice in head-to-toe black, highlighting her figure.
Amber Heard makes her final statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on July 28, 2020 (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
Standing by her testimony, Amber told her fans that she wanted to move on with her life and that reliving her breakup and sharing the most traumatic details of her life with Jonny was painful.
“After obtaining a restraining order in 2016 and finalizing my divorce, I just wanted to move on with my life. I did not file this lawsuit and, despite its significance, I would have preferred not to be here in court.”
Amber Heard commands attention in an all-black ensemble, pairing a belted shirt dress with her signature red scarf (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
“It has been incredibly painful to relive the break up of my relationship, have my motives and my truth questioned, and the most traumatic and intimate details of my life with Johnny shared in court and broadcast around the world.”
“I stand by my testimony and I now place my faith in British justice.” She ended her speech by thanking the defense legal team, the court staff, and those who supported her.
Amber Heard stands by her testimony during the 16-day libel trial (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
For the trial’s last day, Amber tucked a Saint Laurent black silk crepe shirt over her belted black Joseph “Maddy” crepe maxi skirt, which she has worn multiple times throughout the trial.
Amber Heard tucks her black Saint Laurent shirt into a black Joseph crepe skirt (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
She wore the same accessories, which included a gold bracelet, and carried her red polka-dot scarf and Saint Laurent bag. The Aquaman star chose to wear her Brian Atwood pumps for her final trial look.
Amber Heard steps out in a chic all-black ensemble, holding her signature red polka-dot scarf outside the courthouse (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
Johnny Depp’s Closing Argument: Defending His Reputation
Johnny Depp’s lawyer, David Sherborne, delivered their closing argument on Tuesday last week, calling Amber Heard unreliable and a liar.
“From the big points to the small points, Ms. Heard has proved herself to be a wholly unreliable witness, and, frankly, a compulsive liar, and I don’t say that lightly.”
He also claimed that Amber was a “complex individual with a complex history” and accused her of repeatedly changing stories in court.
Johnny Depp on the last day of his libel case against The Sun on July 28, 2020 (Credit: Avalon / Nils Jorgensen / Instar / WENN)
“Mr. Depp, far from being the domestic abuser, is the domestic abused.” He also said that Johnny strongly denied “this reputation-destroying career-ending allegation.” “He has never hit a woman in his entire life—period, full stop, nada,” he added.