RADP / Pulse Nigeria > News > World
Pulse News Agency International by AFP
Amber Heard on Monday claimed that her ex-husband Johnny Depp threatened to kill her on a number of occasions, as she took the stand in his high-profile London libel action.
Heard said Depp blamed his actions on a 'self-created third party' he sometimes named 'the monster'
The 34-year-old actress accused the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star, 56, of being manipulative, controlling and intimidating in their two-year marriage, which ended in 2017.
Recommended articles
-
filla Social media in shock as lady says she was naive, might not have married husband
As the case entered its third week, she said he subjected her to verbal and physical abuse, including screaming, swearing, threats, punches, slaps, kicks, head-butts and choking.
"Some incidents were so severe that I was afraid he was going to kill me, either intentionally or just by losing control and going too far," she said in a witness statement.
"He explicitly threatened to kill me many times, especially later in our relationship."
ADVERTIsem*nT
Heard, who first met Depp on the set of the 2011 film "The Rum Diary", said the actor blamed his actions on a "self-created third party" he sometimes named "the monster".
But he never took responsibility for his actions, seeing himself as the victim, and surrounding himself with enablers who excused or did not challenge his behaviour, she alleged.
Depp is suing the publishers of British tabloid The Sun, News Group Newspapers (NGN) and the author of a 2018 article that labelled him a "wife beater" at the High Court in London.
He has denied 14 claims of violence that NGN said proves the claim, portraying Heard as a calculating, dishonest, sociopathic fantasist intent on destroying his life.
The article in The Sun caused him serious reputational damage, he argues.
ADVERTIsem*nT
His former partners, the French actress and singer Vanessa Paradis, and Hollywood star Winona Ryder, have both said he was kind and non-violent.
'Violent and dark'
But Heard, who starred in "Aquaman" and "The Danish Girl", said their relationship veered from "intensely affectionate, warm and charming" to "very intense and dark".
"When I say he was dark, he had a violent and dark way of speaking: the way he talked about our relationship being 'dead or alive' and telling me that death was the only way out of the relationship," she said in her testimony.
Heard said she thought she could "fix" the star, who has had well-documented battles with drink and drugs, and that she felt responsible for trying to help him overcome addiction.
ADVERTIsem*nT
"After violent episodes, his team would try to convince me to stay with him or to come back, often telling me he was sorry and would get clean for me," she said.
The case has lifted the lid on Depp's lifestyle, with nine days of evidence focusing on his use of drink and drugs.
NGN lawyers allege Depp was a "Jekyll and Hyde" character and "controlling and physically abusive towards Ms Heard, particularly when he was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs".
Depp insists he never hit Heard or any other woman in his life, instead accusing her of violence, including one incident when his finger was severed by a flying vodka bottle.
phz/jwp/jj
2 slides
Depp's former partners, French actress and singer Vanessa Paradis, and Hollywood star Winona Ryder, have both said he was kind and non-violent AFP
IMAGES Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court to attend his libel trial against The Sun newspaper, with his ex-wife Amber Heard set to give testimony. AFPTV
Pulse News Agency International by AFP
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
Our newsletter gives you access to a curated selection of the most important stories daily.
Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!
Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTIsem*nT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
Kano govt insists Sanusi remains Emir despite court order
Lagos community protests over Lagos-Calabar road alignment, begs Tinubu
The negative narrative about Rivers being in crisis misguided - Fubara
Aggrieved APC aspirant declares support for Aiyedatiwa ahead of Ondo guber poll
Reps summon AGIP over failure to pay ₦80m owed indigenous contractor
Gov Abiodun allocates farmlands to 26 Ogun lawmakers to boost food security
Police arrest 5 suspected Kidnappers, 1 car snatcher in Kaduna
Gov Ododo signs 7 bills into law in 1 day
WAEC to gradually eliminate use of papers in examinations
Pulse Sports
PulseSports30: Okoye back among the best as Olawoyin finishes ahead of Tella
Finidi George responds to accusation made by Victor Osimhen in viral video
Elaine Thompson-Herah withdraws from the 200m of the Jamaican Olympic games trials amidst injury woes
PulseSports30: Sikiru Alimi tops Moses Simon as Osayi-Samuel comes in at 24
Victor Osimhen's future in the balance: Premier League or Saudi Pro League?
Get our Top Stories delivered to your inbox
Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!