‘People want to kill me’ Amber Heard says she gets multiple death threats amid Johnny Depp trial

During cross-examination from Depp’s defense, Heard vehemently denied leaking information to TMZ, including an anonymous Dropbox video that showed Depp slamming cabinets in his kitchen (which was previously shared in court) and information about her whereabouts when she filed her temporary restraining order against Depp in 2016, bruised face in tow. “I did not call TMZ or any other news source,” Heard testified. She had nothing to do with the video, nor photographers showing up to the courthouse where she obtained the restraining order, she testified.

Heard also elaborated on previous audio shared in court in which she told Depp, “Tell the world, Johnny. Tell them, ‘I, Johnny Depp, a man, I’m a victim too of domestic violence,'” challenging him to see if anyone would believe him. She pointed to the mounting evidence of abuse towards her as context. “People don’t have this type of evidence,” Heard testified. “Thats what I was saying, [that] it would be crazy to challenge it this way.”

Heard’s testimony comes after she finished four days of initial deposition last week, doubling down on allegations that Depp physically and sexually assaulted her and recounting the violence in emotional testimony. She also maintained that her op-ed at the center of the trial is not about Depp. It only reflects her personal experiences after she became associated with domestic violence, she testified.

Depp returned to the stand as a rebuttal witness for his defense Wednesday, once again denying the abuse allegations. “It’s insane to hear heinous accusations of violence, sexual violence, that she’s attributed to me,” he testified. “I don’t think anyone enjoys having to split themselves open and tell the truth, but there are times when one just simply has to because it’s gotten out of control.” He called Heard’s allegations “ridiculous,” “humiliating,” “ludicrous,” and “savage.”

The actor is suing Heard for $50 million over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed she wrote chronicling her experiences as a domestic violence survivor. Though Heard never mentions Depp by name, his lawyers argue that references to their client (and Heard’s previous abuse allegations following their 2017 divorce) are clear, claiming the essay damaged Depp’s career and reputation. Heard filed a $100 million countersuit, claiming Depp and his legal team defamed her by calling her allegations a hoax.

Witnesses so far include Depp and Heard’s sisters, as well as actress Ellen Barkin, whom Depp had a sexual relationship with in 1994 and starred opposite in 1998’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Barkin testified on behalf of Heard’s defense, sharing details about Depp’s “angry” and “jealous” behavior. Depp’s ex-girlfriend, model Kate Moss, also testified on his behalf, refuting rumors that Depp pushed her down a flight of stars, which Heard had insinuated in previous testimony. Warner Bros. exec Walter Hamada also testified on Depp’s behalf, denying assertions that Heard’s Aquaman 2 role was reduced after Depp’s alleged “smear campaign” to paint her as a liar.

Closing arguments will be presented Friday. Deliberations begin Tuesday, following the Memorial Day weekend.