Judge Penney Azacrate denied Amber Heard‘s request to dismiss Johnny Depp‘s defamation lawsuit towards his ex-wife, because the trial reached its midpoint with Depp’s attorneys resting their case after 13 days of testimony.
Depp is suing Heard, his ex-wife, alleging {that a} 2018 op-ed she penned defamed him and prompted him to lose work in Hollywood, together with his function within the sixth Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
Jurors have heard from greater than two dozen witnesses referred to as by Depp’s attorneys together with Depp himself. Many testified about explosive fights between the 2.
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Minutes after Depp’s authorized crew rested its case, Heard’s attorneys introduced a movement to strike the complete case, arguing that Depp’s legal professionals had did not current sufficient proof to show their defamation case. The movement to strike is a typical tactic, and requested the decide to make a abstract judgment.
Judge Penny Azcarate partially denied the movement based mostly on two arguments, however mentioned she would proceed to contemplate one different argument if proof is introduced referring to it when Heard’s crew presents its case.
Heard’s authorized crew is predicted to start presenting its case after a lunch break with testimony from psychologist Dawn Hughes.
Hughes beforehand testified as an professional in abusive relationships within the trials of Nxivm founder Keith Raniere and singer R. Kelly, serving to safe each of their convictions.
Depp’s remaining witness, forensic accountant Mike Spindler, testified Tuesday about his evaluation of the earnings Depp misplaced on account of the 2018 op-ed, which didn’t point out the actor by title.
“I concluded that Mr. Depp suffered lost earnings of approximately US$40 million [approx. $56.4 million],” Spindler testified.
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