The Lawsuits Thread

[Lbock]

Amber’s pattern seeks to claim Johnny does what she actually does

[Chocolat]

To everyone who explained and informed us about the recent audio segment, many thanks.
I haven't had the heart to listen to it yet so I appreciate the summary of what took place between AH and Johnny. In time, I will have a listen. (As the saying goes, "Forewarned is forearmed.") From what I've read, the scenario was not just volatile, it was horribly violent.
I'm so very relieved that he is away from that woman.

[Granny576]

Lbock. Standard behavior for a narcesist. Let alone other disorders.

[ForeverYoung]

By "soothe" I thought she meant he didn't come back to try and calm her down by talking to her. Johnny said he was a cutter once and she tried to copy a lot of things from him or maybe she did it to make him feel bad. IDK but I knew someone that was a cutter and it was always in a certain area like she does. We have seen a lot of pics of her from the past and I don't recall seeing any cuts before Johnny. I really think if she was cut during the finger incident she would have shown it to Jerry.

[Judymac]

I think she cut herself to manipulate Johnny and to make him feel bad. Whenever she did not get her own way she would threaten to cut herself to get her own way. She would also try to make Johnny feel guilty for not immediately giving her what she wanted. Her thinking was that sometimes she had to cut herself or threaten to cut herself to get what she wanted. She was like a child who threatens to hold thier breath if they don't get their own way. It seems like she knew how to cut herself, without having to go to the hospital for her wounds. If she went into the hospital, they might be suspicious that the wounds were self inflicted. I remember seeing a picture of Amber with Amanda DeCadanet at a fashion show. Amber was dressed up and she had a bandage on her wrist. It was the type of bandage material that you could buy at any drugstore. When I saw the picture I wondered why Amber had her wrist bandaged. I do not think Amber's medical records were ever subpoenaed. So we might never know if she is a cutter. I think Johnny's side should subpoena Amber's medical records. It would be interesting to know if Amber has ever been treated for any psychiatric disorders.

[Lbock]

Part of her testimony will be heard in private. A new claim of sexual violence. We expected this
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/ar ... ivate.html

He made his ruling following an application by lawyers for NGN, saying the orders sought by the publishers were “necessary and proportionate”.

The judge added: “I stress that nothing in this judgment will pre-judge the issues that I will have to decide at trial.

“Neither party will be disadvantaged by the fact that part of the trial will take place in private.

“Either in public, or in private, the claimant (Mr Depp) will have a full opportunity, so far as is proper, to challenge the evidence of Ms Heard by cross-examination.”

Earlier in the hearing, NGN’s counsel Adam Wolanski QC told the court Ms Heard, 33, who is a witness in the case, had said she found the prospect of having to give evidence in public on the confidential matters “terrifying”.

He said: “Your lordship will know this case has generated a great deal of publicity already and one of Ms Heard’s concerns… is that she has been the subject of a great deal of vilification in the press, in particular on social media.

“She is very concerned that the nature of these allegations is such that that would be the case if this confidential material is reported.”

David Sherborne, for Mr Depp, argued that allegations Ms Heard has made of both sexual and physical violence against her former husband – which Mr Depp vehemently denies – have been published previously and aired in open court.

He said Ms Heard was “no ordinary witness”, adding: “She has consistently promoted herself as a victim… and characterised her allegations as being not just about physical abuse, but sexual violence.”

Mr Sherborne said Ms Heard has “promoted herself as an activist” during an appearance before the United Nations General Assembly, which took place in 2019, and in an opinion article for the Washington Post, which is the subject of separate libel proceedings by Mr Depp in the US.

However, Mr Justice Nicol found the part of her evidence which will remain confidential was “of a different order” to allegations already in the public domain.

The exact nature of the allegations was not disclosed to the press or public and remain unknown.

[Judymac]

This is actually a good thing. Amber Heard can't get out giving this testimony because she allegedly terrified. Like the ruling says it will still be heard in court and Johnny's side will have a chance to challenge her testimony. As far as the court is concerned everything will be the same. We will just not hear about it.

[Lbock]

From Law360 a paywall site

Amber Heard Can Testify Privately In Johnny Depp's Libel Trial
Law360, London (April 8, 2020, 5:54 PM BST) -- A "very short" segment of Johnny Depp's libel trial against the publishers of The Sun newspaper will be held in private to allow the actor's ex-wife Amber Heard to testify about allegations of abuse out of the public eye, a London judge ruled Wednesday.

High Court Judge Andrew Nicols said that Heard could deliver a part of her testimony behind closed doors after lawyers for the American actress said she was “terrified” of an online backlash.

The press and public will also be barred from attending or reviewing part of actress’ written statements in connection with the testimony, which lawyers for the newspaper said dealt with a single “incident.”

The judge said Depp’s legal team wouldn’t be at a disadvantage and would have a “full opportunity” to challenge her evidence.

Although witnesses typically testify in public, the matters Heard will describe are of a “different order” than the sexual and physical abuse claims made in the case thus far, making it “necessary and proportionate” to keep them private, the judge said.

Adam Wolanski QC, a barrister who brought the application on behalf of the newspaper, stressed Heard’s private evidence will be “very short” and the public trial will resume afterward.

Restrictions on public access to pleadings made in connection with the allegations would have “limited” impact on the press, he added.

“We don’t think it will take up very much time,” Wolanski said.

Heard is “terrified” to testify about the event due to the publicity the trial has generated, concerned that she will continue to be “vilified” in the press and on social media, Wolanski said.

“There’s no doubt that this case will receive massive publicity,” he added.

Depp is suing News Group Newspapers Ltd. and The Sun’s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article that alleged Depp was physically violent and abusive toward Heard.

A 10-day trial was due to begin on March 23, but the date was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and technological difficulties for the 24 witnesses, many of whom live in California, testifying.

David Sherborne, an attorney for Depp, complained that Heard’s allegations of sexual violence have already been discussed in court, and tabloid articles about it “are still available online.”

Sherborne claimed that Heard was trying to stifle allegations of sexual violence that were disadvantageous to her case, while pushing claims against Depp into the public. He claimed Heard wielded allegations as a “sword” when it suited her, but sought a “cloak of secrecy” when not.

A spokesperson for Heard said they were pleased with the decision: "There is simply no reason for such sensitive evidence to be exposed to the world’s press."

Media outlets did not object to Heard’s privacy application.

While defendants are afforded less privacy protections at trials, witnesses aren’t, though Sherborne suggested Heard isn’t a neutral third-party but “a central focus of [the newspaper’s] defense.”

Depp filed his libel suit in June 2018 over an article published on The Sun website in April 2018 under the headline “Gone Potty: How can J.K. Rowling be ‘genuinely happy’ casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?”

The headline was later changed — though still referenced assault claims — and the article also ran in the print edition of the newspaper.

The newspaper group has said it will prove at trial that Depp did beat Heard during their relationship, “causing her to suffer significant injury and on occasion leading her to fearing for her life.”

Depp has denied the allegations, arguing it was Heard who assaulted him and that the article damaged his career. Heard however claims that Depp has run a “sustained and vicious campaign” against her, by leaking to the media voice recordings where she apparently admits to hitting him.

The case has attracted media interest across the world, with several Hollywood actors lined up as witnesses. Depp is also suing Heard for defamation in the U.S.

Heard was granted a restraining order by a California judge in 2016, the same year their divorce was finalized after only 15 months of marriage. She later posted photos of her bruised face, accusing Depp of domestic abuse.

Depp is represented by Jenny Afia of Schillings International LLP and David Sherborne of 5RB.

News Group and Wootton are represented by Adam Wolanski QC of 5RB, instructed by Simons Muirhead & Burton LLP.

The case is John Christopher Depp II v. News Group Newspapers Ltd. and another, case number QB-2018-006323, in the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales.

[Lbock]

Daily Mail updated with Adam statement

In a statement later on Wednesday, Mr Depp’s US lawyer Adam Waldman said: “Amber Heard and her friends at The Sun use sexual violence allegations as both sword and shield, depending on their need.

“They have selected some of her sexual violence allegations as the sword, providing them to social media and newspapers, even shamelessly reading them out in open court.

“Today Ms Heard and The Sun exploited important court privacy rules as a shield behind which Ms Heard’s new abuse claims can hide from open justice.

“Mr Depp, contrary to the claims of Ms Heard and her media partner, took a ‘neutral’ position in today’s hearing.

“Public or private, it will make no difference to our continued refutation of Ms Heard’s claims with evidence including her own secretly recorded audio tapes.”

[AdeleAgain]

Well if it is information already in the public domain - it must be the Australia claims.

[Lbock]

Well if it is information already in the public domain - it must be the Australia claims.

Adam said they’ve selected SOME of her sexual allegations, so there are more

Also “ which lawyers for the newspaper said dealt with a single “incident.”

[ForeverYoung]

I really don't see this going forward in July due to the Covid19. The courts and businesses are going to need a lot of time before the numbers come down for anything to open by then, imo.

[Lbock]

I really don't see this going forward in July due to the Covid19...

Agree. Same in VA. Sad to say. I just don’t see them getting all depositions and motions heard of in time

[ShauniS]

To everyone who explained and informed us about the recent audio segment, many thanks.
I haven't had the heart to listen to it yet so I appreciate the summary of what took place between AH and Johnny. In time, I will have a listen. (As the saying goes, "Forewarned is forearmed.") From what I've read, the scenario was not just volatile, it was horribly violent.
I'm so very relieved that he is away from that woman.

I made myself sit through all of the audio and it truly, truly broke my heart. It is abundantly clear by listening to them that Johnny was always the CALM one and she was volatile, violent, degrading, and just AWFUL to him. I'll admit that a couple of times I even teared up listening to some of the things she said to him.....She was just so hateful and he continued trying to calm her down and telling her that he still loved her despite it all. Finally, in one of the last recordings, you could tell he reached his limit. He sounded resigned that it was over and nothing else could be done. I am SO HAPPY he got away from her before she did something even worse to him.

[meeps]

It's not the Mafia she is testifying against, for crying out loud ...