Coronavirus restrictions won’t stop Johnny Depp and Amber Heard from traveling to UK for ‘wife-beater’ trial
Nothing can stop former spouses Johnny Depp and Amber Heard from going at each other's throats over alleged domestic abuse, not even a global pandemic like the coronavirus.
Even as most countries prepare to close their borders and limit international passengers to essential personnel only, in attempts to curb the spread of the virus, the 'Pirates of Caribbean' actor has made it clear that while he is currently practicing social distancing at his $63 million chateau in the South of France, he Is prepared to fly out to London for the anticipated start of the trial Monday, March 23.
Depp has sued the British paper the Sun over a 2018 story which branded him a “wife-beater" that he claimed negatively impacted his career.
He has suggested that Heard, who is currently in Los Angeles, be present for the trial as her testimony will be crucial to the cases. A number of leaked audiotapes last month, where Heard admitted to hitting Depp during their short-lived marriage, tipped the scales in the actor's favor.
In light of placed restriction over large social gatherings of people, as will happen if a large group of lawyers and media congregate in a courtroom, a British judge will decide on Friday whether the trial will proceed as planned.
The actor will also be fighting the 'Aquaman' actress in a $50 million defamation case after she wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post where she claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse. That trial is set to begin in August 2020 in California.
In a statement to Page Six, Heard's lawyer Roberta Kaplan said: “Amber Heard is very eager for the U.K. trial to proceed. In the lead-up to trial, Mr. Depp and his team have engaged in a daily press campaign to selectively leak materials, spin them in every way possible, and embarrass and harass Amber and the people around her, including potential witnesses. Ms. Heard believes that the truth coming to light through the presentation of evidence in court will finally put an end to this abusive campaign. If she is required to testify in person, Ms. Heard will travel to London if she is legally permitted to do so, notwithstanding the risk to her health and safety from the ongoing pandemic. Otherwise, Ms. Heard will make sure that she is available to testify at any time by video link.”