Amber Heard's alleged struggle with a former associate greater than a decade in the past was detailed in court docket by a witness on Wednesday as her defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp attracts to its conclusion.
The actress, 36, is battling it out in a Virginia court docket with Depp, 58, after he sued her for $50 million over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Publish, during which she acknowledged that she was a home abuse survivor. Whereas Heard, who's countersuing for $100 million, didn't title Depp within the article, his legal professionals have argued that it was apparent she was referring to the actor. Through the trial, each denied the opposite's allegations of home violence.
As proceedings at Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse on Wednesday, police officer Beverly Leonard testified by way of dwell video hyperlink that she had allegedly witnessed Heard get into an altercation along with her then-partner Tasya van Ree at a Washington airport.
In line with Leonard, the alleged incident occurred in 2009 at Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport, the place she labored on the time.
Talking with Depp's legal professional, Camille Vasquez, Leonard stated: "I used to be within the baggage declare space and I noticed her with a touring companion. They bought into an altercation the place Ms. Heard had grabbed her touring companion and pulled one thing from her neck. At that time, I bought up and went over to attempt to break up what seemed to be a struggle.
"I summoned a colleague to assist me, and I stepped in between them and separated them, stopping any additional accidents or escalation," she stated.
When requested about Heard and Van Ree's interplay with each other on the time, Leonard stated: "Ms. Heard was aggressive towards her touring companion. She had reached up and grabbed her arm and pulled a necklace off of her. After which I noticed her having it in her hand. She appeared to be not very regular on her toes, her eyes have been blurry and watery, and I might odor alcohol."
Of Van Ree, Leonard went on: "She raised her arms in what seemed to be a defensive method. However apart from that, she was fairly stoic and did not actually reply a lot. Her stature was two or three inches taller than Ms. Heard, so she did not actually need to should defend herself."
Vasquez then requested Leonard about Heard's demeanor on the time.
"She was considerably dismissive," Leonard responded. "She simply stated, 'We're simply having an argument, we're high-quality, we're high-quality.' As a result of I used to be asking in the event that they have been OK. 'Are you OK? Is there something mistaken? What is going on on?'"
Leonard additionally alleged that she noticed accidents on Van Ree on the time, saying: "She had an abrasion on the aspect of her neck the place the necklace was, like a rope burn, from the chain because it was eliminated."
Final week, Heard accused Depp's workforce of planting the allegation within the media that she had been bodily abusive towards Van Ree, a photographer and artist who was in a relationship with the Aquaman star for roughly 5 years.
"You dedicated home violence towards Miss Van Ree throughout your relationship, did not you?" Vasquez questioned, which Heard denied whereas on the stand.
"You assaulted her at a Seattle airport in 2009, did not you?" Vasquez continued. "And other people noticed that."
"That is not true," Heard responded.
"And it was coated within the press. Is not that true?" Depp's legal professional stated.
"It was planted within the press by Johnny's workforce, two days after I bought the TRO [temporary restraining order]," Heard testified.
Heard filed for a restraining order towards Depp a number of days after submitting for divorce in 2016. Their divorce was finalized in January 2017.
"Mr. Depp shouldn't be the one home associate you've got assaulted, is he, Ms. Heard?" Vasquez questioned, which Heard denied.
Heard and Van Ree argued on the airport in 2009 earlier than Heard was arrested after she allegedly hit her then-partner within the arm, USA Immediately reported in 2016.
Nonetheless, Van Ree issued an announcement claiming that the incident was "misinterpreted" and that Heard was "wrongfully" accused.
"I [recall] hints of misogynistic attitudes towards us which later seemed to be homophobic after they came upon we have been home companions and never simply 'mates,'" Van Ree stated within the assertion. "It is disheartening that Amber's integrity and story are being questioned but once more. Amber is an excellent, trustworthy and exquisite lady and I've the utmost respect for her. We shared 5 fantastic years collectively and stay near this present day," Van Ree's assertion continued.
After being arrested in 2009 by Port of Seattle Police, Heard acknowledged that the fees have been dropped "as a result of they knew the very same factor that I simply advised you, that no home violence ever occurred and my ex has acknowledged such."
In Heard's 2016 deposition, which went viral throughout the present trial, she stated, "In reality, it was so ridiculous these prices, it was a verbal argument, it was misinterpreted [and] misrepresented. There was no bodily violence, no bodily abuse and nil home violence in any way between us."
The Depp v. Heard trial continues Thursday, and Newsweek will probably be overlaying all of the breaking tales from the Fairfax County courtroom on our dwell weblog.
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