Amber Alert during the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard trial
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While Amber Heard’s attorney was delivering closing arguments in the ongoing trial on Friday, a noise that was initially misinterpreted as an Amber Alert interrupted the proceedings in the courtroom.
Amber Heard’s lawyer Benjamin Rottenborn was delivering his closing argument when an Emergency Mass Notification System (EMNS) interrupted the proceedings. Rottenborn addressed the jury about Depp’s allegations about Heard’s falsifying claims as many phones rang in the Virginia courtroom.
The sirens were perceived by Judge Penney Azcarate as Amber Alerts (concerning child abductions). The siren woke up everyone in the courtroom. It even caused Heard to look back at the Virginia courtroom gallery with a puzzled expression.
The disruption was later determined to be a warning about a storm in the Fairfax, Virginia area.
In the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial, a storm alert was misunderstood as an Amber alert
When the phones in the courtroom went off for the first time, Judge Azcarate nudged everyone in the Virginia courtroom to turn their phones to silent before Rottenborn continued with his closing argument. Later, when the phones rang again, Judge Azcarate stated:
“An Amber Alert appears to be in effect,” said Judge Penney Azcarate. “People who haven’t silenced their phones are getting it.”
The Law & Crime Network indicated it was a storm warning for the Fairfax, Virginia, area, not an Amber alert. Because the emergency broadcast system in US phones uses the same tone, the Judge was perplexed as to the source of the alert.
On Friday, the former partners’ attorneys began presenting their closing arguments. Summarising much of the allegations levelled by either side since the proceedings began on April 11.
“You either believe everything or nothing,” Depp’s attorney, Camille Vasquez, said of Heard’s allegations of abuse against the 58-year-old actor. “She’s either a victim of truly horrific abuse or a woman willing to say anything.”
Internet reacts to “Amber Alerts”
Many trial watchers pointed out the irony of an Amber Alert on social media being issued during Amber Heard’s lawyer’s closing arguments.
The incident was labeled as a “sign from God,” “divine intervention,” and “red flags” in numerous tweets. Others joked that Johnny Depp should have received an “Amber Alert” at the start of his relationship with Amber Heard.
On Twitter, one user commented, “Someone should have sent Johnny an Amber alert before he started going out with her tbh, omg the amber alert during closing statements is so symbolic.”
Warning sounds from phones went off during closing arguments. Judge thought it was Amber Alert but it's Storm Warning alerts. Huge storm coming through Fairfax Co. right now. #JohnnyDepp
#AmberHeard— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) May 27, 2022Advertisement
Another said that it’s not an alert, that’s divine intervention.
One user said that they laughed because the alert is serious, but the irony of the timing is priceless
Another said the gods have spoken.
🚨 Amber Alert 🚨
— Emily D. Baker ⚖️ 💜 (@TheEmilyDBaker) May 27, 2022
There is an amber alert going off in the court during Amber Heard's closing. You can hear all the alerts going off while Rottenborn is trying to figure out what is happening.
An Amber Alert…during her closing….. I can't. #JohnnyDeppAmberHeardTrial
Virginia’s courthouse was not the only place where there was commotion today. As reported by the Law & Crime Network, police officers on motorcycles rushed to the entrance of the courthouse. However, the multi-platform trial network claimed that it was for different litigation that was taking place at the same time at the courthouse.
That’s not an alert, that’s divine intervention. 🤣
— Alicia Sauder ✨🌱🏴☠️ (@aliciasauder) May 27, 2022
I think judge just assumed it was an Amber alert… would have been poetic. This is that area, I still get alerts because we have friends back there. It looks to be north of the courthouse. pic.twitter.com/WyryY2vzFB
— George Vuckovich (@PGH_Geo) May 27, 2022
Ankita Khanrah
Ankita Khanrah is a second-year student of the Master of Communication and Journalism (Integrated) programme at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar.
