Johnny Depp trial - live: Amber Heard’s friend tells court of Pirates actor’s ‘rage’

WARNING: This article contains allegations of physical and sexual violence that some readers may find distressing.

Cross-examination of Amber Heard has concluded in the fifth week of her trial for defamation in the case brought against her by ex-husband Johnny Depp.

Heard is being sued by Depp for $50m for implying he abused her in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed. Although she didn’t name him, he claims her allegations impacted his ability to work.

Following direct examination of Heard, Depp’s lawyer challenged her testimony, which extensively covered the troubled relationship between the actors and detailed alleged physical fights — including a harrowing account of a brutal and bloody altercation in Australia.

Heard was also accused of staging a photo of cocaine on a breakfast table and questioned about her account of fights and alleged incidents of sexual assault. She was also grilled over missing charitable donations pledged from the divorce settlement. Footage was shown to the court of James Franco visiting her penthouse the night before she filed for divorce from Depp.

In a prerecorded deposition, Heard’s friend iO Tiller Wright says Depp told him of “bouts of jealousy” that fuelled his alcohol issues and led to “rage activities”.

Key points

• Here’s what attorneys say about the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard so far

• Heard blames Johnny Depp’s teacup Yorkie named Boo for faeces found in couple’s bed

• Heard denies she lied about making $7m in donations from Depp divorce

• Heard grilled over alleged attack where Depp sexually assaulted her

• Video shows James Franco visiting Amber Heard night before she filed for divorce

• Heard’s friend says Depp told him about ‘rage activities’ with Winona Ryder and Kate Moss

15:12 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Pennington is asked about the signs of abuse in the relationship and says she was worried for Heard’s physical safety.

“I was was worried for her physical safety. I was worried that when he [Depp]turned, he might accidentally do something that was worse than he ever intended,” she testifies.

15:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Pennington is asked about “the monster” — the other version of Depp brought on by drug or alcohol use.

She says they all referred to “the monster”, asked to clarify who, she says: “Me, Johnny, Amber and anyone else in the inner circle that was privy to the private things that would happen.”

15:08 , Oliver O'Connell

Heard’s team is now questioning Ms Pennington in another prerecorded deposition.

Ben Rottenborn asks if she is there on behalf of one side or the other, to which she replies no.

She is also asked if she considered herself adverse or hostile to either party to which she also replies no.

14:58 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Pennington is asked again whether she has ever seen Depp strike Heard, throw anything at her, or cause her injury.

She responds that she has never seen it happen in person.

14:56 , Oliver O'Connell

Depp’s attorneys now ask Ms Pennington about the events of one month later on 21 May 2016. Heard and Depp had not seen each other for a month, and he planned to visit the Eastern Columbia Building to collect several items.

Ms Pennington testifies she heard Depp and Heard yelling in Penthouse 3.

She says: “I don’t remember what they were saying but it was a verbal argument. Then he continued to yell and I went over to her and stepped in between them.”

Ms Pennington adds that she didn’t see Depp touch Heard and did not see him throw anything at her.

She recalls the damage to the penthouses which concurs with photos and earlier testimony — items knocked off kitchen counters, her own project knocked over.

The damage was still there when the first set of police officers visited the penthouses, she testifies, but she does not know what they saw.

14:41 , Oliver O'Connell

Jumping forward to the day after Heard’s 30th birthday in April 2016 before they left for Coachella, Ms Pennington recalls the dogs on the bed and broken glass on the floor.

Heard woke up and cried she says.

14:37 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Pennington is asked to identify various photos of injuries to Heard that she took, including of where her hair had allegedly been pulled out and where it lay on the floor.

They then discuss the following day when Heard was getting ready to appear on The Late Late Show and who was there to help her prepare. She lists the stylists and hair and makeup people present and Heard showing them her missing hair and cut lip.

Lance Bass branded ‘disgusting and disturbing’ for TikTok mocking Heard

14:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A TikTok video of former *NSYNC member Lance Bass mocking Amber Heard’s court testimony has been widely condemned after going viral on social media.

The video, shared on Monday (16 May), sees Bass “reenact” part of Heard’s testimony – about the first time Johnny Depp allegedly struck her – in her ongoing court battle with her ex-husband.

Ellie Harrison reports.

Lance Bass branded ‘disgusting and disturbing’ for TikTok mocking Amber Heard

14:28 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Pennington describes the Thanksgiving dinner continuing after the incident with Depp not seeming any particular way to her.

She later describes examining Heard’s injuries soon after. Heard’s head was “raw and red” with a chunk of hair missing and the area was bloody. Her face was red, but she concedes it could have been from crying.

Ms Pennington also recalls Heard having a cut on her lower lip.

14:18 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Pennington first recalls cuts on Heard’s arms and feet after she returned from Australia.

She then moves on to answer questions about Thanksgiving in 2015 and an altercation between Depp and Heard when Heard had gone looking for him upstairs in the adjoining lofts at the Eastern Columbia Building where they all lived.

She remembers red wine spilled in the bedroom and glass smashed everywhere.

14:07 , Oliver O'Connell

The jury has been brought in and Ms Pennington’s prerecorded video testimony resumes.

Raquel (Rocky) Pennington to resume her testimony

14:04 , Oliver O'Connell

Raquel Pennington will shortly resume her testimony. She was once Heard’s best friend. As with iO Tillett Wright, Ms Pennington was present at several of the major incidents cited during the trial.

She and her partner Drew lived in one of the penthouses owned by Depp at the Eastern Columbia Building. Here’s what she has said so far.

Ms Pennington said she and Heard have grown apart and she wanted to spend more time with other people. They have not spoken in more than a year.

Asked about Heard’s use of drugs she testified that she has seen her use cocaine less than five times, but later said she does not believe any of these times were during the relationship with Depp.

Ms Pennington was asked about an altercation that she had with Heard when they argued about some wine glasses she could not find.

She testified that Heard thought she wasn’t looking hard enough for them. Ms Pennington said she pushed Heard and Heard either pushed her back or hit her on the cheek.

Ms Pennington was asked to recall the incident at Hicksville and describes the trailer being in disarray with light fixtures knocked off, the morning after Depp shouted at her friend for becoming too close to Heard when they sat around a campfire.

She said Depp became angry and aggressive with Kelly Sue Molano who was hugging Heard in a chair, which seemed to come out of nowhere. He yelled: “Get off my woman.”

She did not recall hearing shouting or witnessing any altercation after the couple left the campfire.

Heard’s friend says Johnny Depp told him about ‘rage activities’ with Winona Ryder and Kate Moss

13:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp admitted to Amber Heard’s friend that there had been so-called “rage activities” in his past relationships with Winona Ryder, Kate Moss and Vanessa Paradis, according to shocking testimony in the former spouses’ defamation trial.

In pre-recorded testimony played to the court on Tuesday, Ms Heard’s friend iO Tillett Wright told the court that Mr Depp confided in him that he “experienced great bouts of jealousy” in relationships which also fuelled his alcohol issues.

“He experienced great bouts of jealousy in relationships that had also led to a lot of drinking and a lot of rage activities,” testified Mr Tillett Wright.

Read more:

Amber Heard’s friend says Johnny Depp told him about ‘rage activities’ with Kate Moss

No, Amber Heard is not going to end up in jail, experts say

13:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Joe Sommerlad reports:

No, Amber Heard is not going to end up in jail, experts say

Heard cross-examined about her previous domestic violence arrest

12:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard was asked about a 2009 arrest for alleged domestic violence while testifying in the defamation trial opposing her and Johnny Depp.

Ms Heard returned to the witness stand on Tuesday (17 May) for her fourth day of testimony. She was cross-examined by Mr Depp’s attorney Camille Vasquez.

Ms Vasquez brought up claims faced by Ms Heard in 2009, when she was arrested over an alleged domestic violence incident involving her then-partner Tasya van Ree.

Read more:

Amber Heard cross-examined about domestic violence arrest while dating Tasya Van Ree

Heard’s friend claims Depp said he could ‘punch her in the face’ after wedding

11:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard’s friend has claimed that Johnny Depp said he would be able to “punch her in the face” once they were married in bombshell testimony during the couple’s high-stakes defamation trial in Fairfax, Virginia.

In pre-recorded testimony played to the court on Tuesday, Ms Heard’s friend iO Tillett Wright told the court about a conversation he had with Mr Depp at the couple’s wedding in the Bahamas back in 2015.

Read more:

Amber Heard friend claims Johnny Depp said he could ‘punch her in face’ after wedding

Resurfaced tweet shows Heard mocking Depp’s ‘short’ lawyer

10:00 , Oliver O'Connell

An old tweet has resurfaced showing Amber Heard mocking Johnny Depp’s lawyer over his height after he alleged that her claims of domestic violence were a “hoax”.

On Tuesday, jurors at the former couple’s multi-million-dollar defamation trial were shown a social media post from Ms Heard dated 26 March 2021 where she replied to a tweet from her ex-husband’s former attorney Adam Waldman.

Mr Waldman had tweeted a picture of the actress seeking to discredit her allegations of abuse after a UK court refused Mr Depp the right to appeal his case against The Sun newspaper.

Resurfaced tweet shows Amber Heard mocking Johnny Depp’s ‘short’ lawyer

Heard denies Depp landed her Aquaman role

09:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard has denied Johnny Depp’s lawyer’s claims that he landed her a role in DC’s Aquaman.

Heard’s cross-examination continues today in the fifth week of the defamation trial brought against her by her ex-husband.

Speaking today (17 May) in court, Depp’s lawyer Camille Vasquez implied that The Pirates of the Caribbean actor secured Heard the role of Mera in the 2018 film.

Amber Heard denies Johnny Depp lawyer’s claim that he landed her Aquaman role

Depp smiles as Heard’s lawyer impersonates his voice

08:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp cracked a smile as Amber Heard’s lawyer appeared to do an impression of the Hollywood star’s voice during the former couple’s defamation trial.

Mr Depp smirked with amusement as attorney Elaine Bredehoft attempted to mimick the actor as she asked Ms Heard a question about a tape her ex-husband had spoken on.

Read more:

Johnny Depp smiles as Amber Heard’s lawyer impersonates his voice

Depp v Heard trial receives more online attention than fight for abortion rights

07:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial has received more online attention than the fight for abortion rights in the US, data shows.

According to data from NewsWhip, a social media monitoring company, published by Axios on Tuesday (17 May), news articles about the defamation trial have generated more interactions on social media than articles about the Supreme Court and reproductive rights.

Social media interactions are defined in this context as likes, comments, and shares, per Axios.

Depp v Heard trial receives more online attention than fight for abortion rights

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06:00 , Oliver O'Connell

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Video shows James Franco visiting Amber Heard night before she filed for divorce

05:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Footage has emerged of Hollywood actor James Franco visiting Amber Heard at her apartment the night before she filed for divorce from Johnny Depp.

The surveillance footage was played to jurors in the courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on Tuesday morning as Ms Heard endured intense cross-examination from Mr Depp’s legal team during the former couple’s high-stakes defamation trial.

The video shows Mr Franco arriving at Ms Heard’s penthouse apartment in the Eastern Columbia Building in Los Angeles at around 10.50pm on 22 May 2016.

Video shows James Franco visiting Amber Heard night before she filed for divorce

Heard pushes back at claim she failed to support Depp’s sobriety

04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard has pushed back on claims made by Johnny Depp’s legal team that she failed to support her ex-husband’s sobriety by sometimes drinking and taking drugs in his company.

The court in Fairfax, Virginia, on Tuesday morning listened to an intense back and forth between the Aquaman actress and attorney Camille Vasquez as Mr Depp’s team sought to tear holes in Ms Heard’s testimony.

Ms Vasquez questioned why Ms Heard did not stop drinking wine or taking drugs in front of her husband who she has claimed was an addict.

Read more:

Amber Heard pushes back at Johnny Depp lawyer’s claim she failed to support sobriety

Voices: There’s a reason Johnny Depp’s dog keeps coming up in the Amber Heard trial

03:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Opinion: The reason Johnny Depp’s dog keeps coming up in the Amber Heard trial

‘I wasn’t afraid of him stabbing me’: Jury shown knife Heard gave Depp

03:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard gave Johnny Depp a large knife as a present during the early days of their relationship, jurors were told in the former couple’s high-profile defamation trial.

The Aquaman actress was subjected to tense cross-examination from Mr Depp’s attorney in the courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on Tuesday where she was grilled over her allegations that her ex-husband violently abused her on multiple occasions.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Jury shown knife Amber Heard gave Johnny Depp as present

Heard is grilled over alleged attack where Depp sexually assaulted her

02:15 , Oliver O'Connell

WARNING: This article contains allegations of physical and sexual violence that some readers may find distressing.

Amber Heard was grilled in court over the alleged violent attack where she accused Johnny Depp of sexually assaulting her with a liquor bottle.

Intense cross-examination resumed in court on Tuesday morning, with Mr Depp’s attorney questioning Ms Heard about a violent incident that took place in Australia in early 2015.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Amber Heard grilled about alleged sexual assault by Johnny Depp

Heard denies she lied about making $7m in donations from divorce settlement

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard has denied lying about making $7m in donations to two charities from her divorce payout from Johnny Depp, despite damning video evidence played in court in the former couple’s high-stakes defamation trial.

The Aquaman actress was subjected to an intense grilling under cross-examination from Mr Depp’s attorney on Monday afternoon where she claimed that she had been unable to complete the payments because of legal costs from her ex-husband suing her.

“I still fully intend on honoring all of my pledges,” she testified.

“I would love him to stop suing me so I can.”

Amber Heard denies lying about donating $7m from Johnny Depp divorce

Heard says Johnny Depp choked her against a wall on their Orient Express honeymoon

Wednesday 18 May 2022 00:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard on Monday (16 May) testified that Johnny Depp forcefully choked her while they were on their honeymoon on board the Orient Express in 2015.

Ms Heard’s counsel Elaine Bredehoft began her questioning by showing the jury a picture of the former couple on-board the train.

Amber Heard says Johnny Depp choked her against a wall on their honeymoon

Johnny Depp fans called out for ‘harassing’ Lily-Rose Depp

Wednesday 18 May 2022 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A viral tweet revealed the extent of messages Lily-Rose Depp is receiving from fans of her father Johnny Depp in the midst of his multi-million-dollar defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp shares Lily-Rose with ex-wife Vanessa Paradis. The pair separated as a couple in 2012 after 14 years together.

Twitter user Ahmad posted four screenshots of comments on one of the 22-year-old actor’s recent Instagram posts with the caption, “this is just insane.”

Read what they said:

Johnny Depp fans called out for ‘harassing’ Lily-Rose Depp on Instagram

Heard explains audio where she admitted to ‘hitting’ Depp

Tuesday 17 May 2022 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard has explained audio the court had heard earlier of her admitting to hitting ex-husband Johnny Depp by saying there was a “disparity” between a punch, “which Johnny did often”, and “having to hit him in my defense”.

The Aquaman actor completed her direct testimony in the defamation trial between her and Mr Depp when it resumed on Monday (16 May) after a week-long hiatus.

Read more:

Amber Heard explains audio where she admitted to ‘hitting’ Johnny Depp

Heard’s friend says Johnny Depp told him about ‘rage activities’ with Winona Ryder and Kate Moss

Tuesday 17 May 2022 22:39 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp admitted to Amber Heard’s friend that there had been so-called “rage activities” in his past relationships with Winona Ryder, Kate Moss and Vanessa Paradis, according to shocking testimony in the former spouses’ defamation trial.

In pre-recorded testimony played to the court on Tuesday, Ms Heard’s friend iO Tillett Wright told the court that Mr Depp confided in him that he “experienced great bouts of jealousy” in relationships which also fuelled his alcohol issues.

“He experienced great bouts of jealousy in relationships that had also led to a lot of drinking and a lot of rage activities,” testified Mr Tillett Wright.

Read more:

Amber Heard’s friend says Johnny Depp told him about ‘rage activities’ with Kate Moss

Depp lawyer accuses Heard of ‘staging’ photo of cocaine on table

Tuesday 17 May 2022 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard was accused of staging a photograph of her breakfast table on which Johnny Depp allegedly snorted cocaine, while being cross-examined by his lawyer on Monday (16 May).

Mr Depp’s attorney Camille Vasquez suggested during cross-examination that the photo was inauthentic – citing a single, unsmoked hand-rolled cigarette in the ashtray, four neat lines of cocaine with no residue “when your lips and nose touch the table”, and a “pretty neat table”.

What followed was a bizarre back and forth about the logistics of consuming cocaine.

Read more:

Johnny Depp lawyer accuses Amber Heard of ‘staging’ photo of cocaine on table

Tuesday 17 May 2022 22:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Penney Azcarate adjourns court for the day.

Ms Pennington’s video testimony continues tomorrow morning at 9am.

Tuesday 17 May 2022 22:18 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Pennington was asked to recall the incident at Hicksville and describes the trailer being in disarray with light fixtures knocked off, the morning after Depp shouted at her friend for becoming too close to Heard when they sat around a campfire.

She says Depp became angry and aggressive with Kelly Sue Molano who was hugging Heard in a chair, which seemed to come out of nowhere. He yelled: “Get off my woman.”

She did not recall hearing shouting or witnessing any altercation after the couple left the campfire.

Tuesday 17 May 2022 22:17 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Pennginton is asked about an altercation which she had with Heard when they argued about some wine glasses she could not find.

She testifies that Heard thought she wasn’t looking hard enough for them.

Ms Pennington says she pushed Heard and Heard either pushed her back or hit her on the cheek.

Heard cross-examined about her domestic violence arrest while dating Tasya Van Ree in 2009

Tuesday 17 May 2022 22:08 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard was asked about a 2009 arrest for alleged domestic violence while testifying in the defamation trial opposing her and Johnny Depp.

Ms Heard returned to the witness stand on Tuesday (17 May) for her fourth day of testimony. She was cross-examined by Mr Depp’s attorney Camille Vasquez.

Read more:

Amber Heard cross-examined about domestic violence arrest while dating Tasya Van Ree

Tuesday 17 May 2022 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Pennington says she and Heard have grown apart and she wanted to spend more time with other people. They have not spoken in more than a year.

Asked about Heard’s use of drugs she testifies that she has seen her use cocaine less than five times, but later says she does not believe any of these times were during her relationship with Depp.

New witness: Raquel (Rocky) Pennington, Amber Heard’s former best friend

Tuesday 17 May 2022 21:52 , Oliver O'Connell

With the deposition of Mr Tiller Wright over, Judge Azcarate allows for the beginning of another video deposition to be shown before the day closes out.

Raquel Pennington, once Heard’s best friend, is up next. As with Mr Tiller Wright, Ms Pennington was present at several of the major incidents cited during the trial.

She and her partner Drew lived in one of the penthouses owned by Depp at the Eastern Columbia Building.

Tuesday 17 May 2022 21:47 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Tillet Wright was shown images of Heard’s injuries from alleged abuse by Depp.

He describes them and says she told him Depp caused the injuries.

Mr Tillet Wright also recalls he and Heard laughed when Depp asked him over the phone whether he had defecated on his pillow in May 2016.

He was in New York at the time and heard a bang, Heard screaming, and then Depp saying: “You think I hit you?”

Hanging up the phone, he called Rocky Pennington who lived next door and could get to Heard quickly, and then called 911 twice.

Heard’s friend claims Depp said he could ‘punch her in the face’ after they were married

Tuesday 17 May 2022 21:42 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard’s friend has claimed that Johnny Depp said he could “punch her in the face” once they were married in bombshell testimony during the couple’s high-stakes defamation trial in Fairfax, Virginia, on Tuesday.

In pre-recorded testimony played to the court, Ms Heard’s friend iO Tillett Wright told the court about a conversation he had with Mr Depp at the couple’s wedding in the Bahamas.

Amber Heard friend claims Johnny Depp said he could ‘punch her in face’ after wedding

Tuesday 17 May 2022 21:22 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Tillet Wright recalls the couple having a huge fight in London after Depp proposed to Heard.

He also remembers talking to Depp about the Boston to Los Angeles flight incident.

He says Depp apparently didn’t really remember being on the plane or getting off the plane. He swore up and down that he was going to stop drinking or taking drugs.

Tuesday 17 May 2022 21:19 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Tillet Wright explains that “the monster” was the demon Depp was battling with and would say “the monster will not win”.

When drunk or high he said Depp would weave elaborate stories and think that Heard was cheating on him with many people. He would also be very jealous and had said that was a factor in previous relationships.

In addition to Heard, he would direct jabs and jokes at his fans calling them a type of suckerfish that attaches itself to a ship and makes it sink.

He also compared Heard to his mother and recalled her cruelty towards him. In fights he says Heard would also be very cruel towards him when they fought.

Resurfaced tweet shows Heard mocking Depp’s ‘short’ lawyer

Tuesday 17 May 2022 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

An old tweet has resurfaced showing Amber Heard mocking Johnny Depp’s lawyer over his height after he alleged that her claims of domestic violence were a “hoax”.

On Tuesday, jurors at the former couple’s multi-million-dollar defamation trial were shown a social media post from Ms Heard dated 26 March 2021 where she replied to a tweet from her ex-husband’s former attorney Adam Waldman.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Resurfaced tweet shows Amber Heard mocking Johnny Depp’s ‘short’ lawyer

Tuesday 17 May 2022 21:13 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Wright testifies that he and Depp became very friendly to the point he had a good relationship with his children.

He recalls times when Depp and Heard were arguing and he would talk to them. He says Depp once said Heard had no talent and when her tits began to sag no one would care about her.

Mr Wright also recalls times when Depp would take cocaine and drink excessively — specifically an occasion when Heard was away and Paul Bettany and Marilyn Manson were present.

He says Depp was very open about his addiction to oxycontin and that it would be more difficult to kick than heroin. Mr Wright also recalls his “marijuana closet” with tens of pounds of the drug.

Depp “resented being sobre”, says Mr Wright.

Asked about times Depp had blacked out, he says the actor told him about blacking out in Australia, the Bahamas, and on a plane.

Heard denies Depp lawyer’s claim that he landed her Aquaman role

Tuesday 17 May 2022 20:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard has denied Johnny Depp’s lawyer’s claims that he landed her a role in DC’s Aquaman.

Heard’s cross-examination continues today in the fifth week of the defamation trial brought against her by her ex-husband.

Speaking today (17 May) in court, Depp’s lawyer Camille Vasquez implied that The Pirates of the Caribbean actor secured Heard the role of Mera in the 2018 film.

Inga Parkel reports.

Amber Heard denies Johnny Depp lawyer’s claim that he landed her Aquaman role

Tuesday 17 May 2022 20:50 , Oliver O'Connell

During the time he knew Depp he once took some pain pills that Depp offered him but was otherwise never drunk or high with Depp or Heard.

He witnessed Depp use marijuana, cocaine, liquor, mushrooms, and ecstasy during the time they were friends.

Mr Wright says Heard is vehemently against cocaine and did not have a narcotic of choice. He has seen her take MDMA on her birthday and says she would drink red wine in the evenings except when preparing for a movie role.

He says he would see her drinking often, but only a handful of times saw her drunk.

Tuesday 17 May 2022 20:46 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Wright says in the deposition that he initially met Heard at a mutual friend’s house. That friend, also an actor, knew Heard from the LA Children’s Hospital while they were both volunteering.

He testifies that he lived with Heard in LA between August 2013 and June 2014 when he moved into his own place. Mr Wright stopped being friends with Depp in 2015.

Mr Wright says he never witnessed Depp physically abuse Heard and says he found Depp, when sober, lucid, imaginative, and a kindred connection, who would make time for people and was generous.

Depp smiles as Heard’s lawyer impersonates his voice

Tuesday 17 May 2022 20:42 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp cracked a smile as Amber Heard’s lawyer appeared to do an impression of the Hollywood star’s voice during the former couple’s defamation trial.

Mr Depp smirked with amusement as attorney Elaine Bredehoft attempted to mimick the actor as she asked Ms Heard a question about a tape her ex-husband had spoken on.

Graeme Massie reports:

Johnny Depp smiles as Amber Heard’s lawyer impersonates his voice

New witness: iO Tillet Wright, Amber Heard’s friend

Tuesday 17 May 2022 20:36 , Oliver O'Connell

Following the afternoon break, Heard’s friend iO Tillet Wright appears in pre-recorded video deposition with questioning first by lawyers representing Depp.

The video was recorded in March of this year.

Tuesday 17 May 2022 20:17 , Oliver O'Connell

After a series of questions regarding interactions with police, building staff, and James Franco, the court stops for its afternoon break, and redirect examination is over for Heard.

Heard says that in the video of her and Franco, he touched the side of her face where she says Depp struck her with the phone, and then put his head on her shoulder in response.

Court resumes at 3.30pm with a new witness by video deposition.