The Excruciating Johnny Depp Libel Trial Is Finally Over, Now We Wait

8 Min Read
Final Day Of Johnny Depp Libel Trial

After 16 days, Johnny Deppโ€˜s libel trial against UK tabloid The Sun, over calling him a โ€œwife beaterโ€ has officially ended, however, it is going to be quiet the wait before the court makes its decision on the case.

Deadline is reporting, that the judge in the case, Judge Justice Nicol, is not expected to make a decision in the case until at least September.

Final Day Of Johnny Depp Libel Trial
Johnny Depp departs the Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand on July 28, 2020 in London, England. The Hollywood actor is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) and the Sunโ€™s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that referred to him as a โ€œwife beaterโ€ during his marriage to actor Amber Heard. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Yesterday (July 28, 2020), Depp handed gifts and notes to fans who supported him outside court as his ongoing libel trial entered its final day.

In his closing submission, Deppโ€™s lawyer told the high court that Amber Heard is a โ€œcompulsive liarโ€ and โ€œunreliable witnessโ€ as the defense relied on her allegations of abuse.

Final Day Of Johnny Depp Libel Trial
Johnny Depp gestures as he leaves the High Court after the final day of his libel trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN), in London, on July 28, 2020. โ€“ Johnny Depp grabbed a teddy bear from a fan and waved to a crush of supporters Tuesday as he entered Londonโ€™s High Court for the final day of his three-week libel trial against Britainโ€™s The Sun tabloid over allegations he beat ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp rejects accusations of repeatedly hurting the 34-year-old actress over a three-year span that ended with Heardโ€™s 2016 decision to get a restraining order and file for divorce. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)

โ€œFrom the big points to the small points, Ms. Heard has proved herself to be a wholly unreliable witness, and, frankly, a compulsive liar, and I donโ€™t say that lightly,โ€ Deppโ€™s lawyer, David Sherborne, told the court.

According to the Guardian, Deppโ€™s lawyer once again claimed Heard was the aggressor, highlighting a recording of the former spouses in which she supposedly refers to hitting the actor. Heard has denied Deppโ€™s claims of abuse.

Final Day Of Johnny Depp Libel Trial
Johnny Depp departs the Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand on July 28, 2020 in London, England. The Hollywood actor is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) and the Sunโ€™s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that referred to him as a โ€œwife beaterโ€ during his marriage to actor Amber Heard. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

โ€œAt its very core, we say it demonstrates that she is the abuser, not Mr. Depp. He is no wife-beater,โ€ Sherborne told the judge. โ€œIf it was a man who had said what Ms. Heard said and who had admitted to what she admitted to, if this was Mr. Depp for example, and it was the other way around, can you imagine what consternation there would be?โ€

Amber Heard gave a statement outside The High Court in London as the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and The Sun publishers concluded.

Final Day Of Johnny Depp Libel Trial
Amber Heard speaks outside the Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand on July 28, 2020 in London, England. The Hollywood actor is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) and the Sunโ€™s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that referred to him as a โ€œwife beaterโ€ during his marriage to actor Amber Heard. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Here is her statement in full:

โ€œI traveled to the UK to testify in these proceedings as a witness to assist the Court. After obtaining a restraining order in 2016 and finalizing our divorce, I wanted to move on with my life. I did not file this lawsuit and, despite its significance, I would have preferred not to be in court.โ€

โ€œIt has been incredibly painful to relive the break-up of my relationship, have my motives and my truth questioned, and the most traumatic details of my life with Johnny shared in court and broadcast around the world. I stand by my testimony in court and I now place my faith in British justice.โ€

Final Day Of Johnny Depp Libel Trial
Amber Heard reacts outside the Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand on July 28, 2020 in London, England. The Hollywood actor is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) and the Sunโ€™s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that referred to him as a โ€œwife beaterโ€ during his marriage to actor Amber Heard. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

โ€œAlthough I did not bring this lawsuit, I am aware of the precious resources being consumed by his litigation and will be glad to see those resources re-directed back to more important legal matters already delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.โ€

โ€œI appreciate the dedication, hard work and support of the defense legal team, as well as my UK and US lawyers. I also wish to extend my thanks to the very kind and diligent court staff and the police, who have been so sensitive in ensuring my protection so that I could testify in safety.โ€

Final Day Of Johnny Depp Libel Trial
Amber Heard walks outside the Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand on July 28, 2020 in London, England. The Hollywood actor is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) and the Sunโ€™s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that referred to him as a โ€œwife beaterโ€ during his marriage to actor Amber Heard. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

โ€œAnd finally, my heartfelt thanks for the tremendous outpouring of support and the many messages I have received from around the world. You have given me so much strength and I send it back to you.โ€

Watch this space to see how this all turns out.

Final Day Of Johnny Depp Libel Trial
Amber Heard reacts outside the Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand on July 28, 2020 in London, England. The Hollywood actor is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) and the Sunโ€™s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that referred to him as a โ€œwife beaterโ€ during his marriage to actor Amber Heard. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Amber Heardโ€™s Statement

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