As the spectacular defamation trial proceeds, video excerpts from Amber Heard’s evidence depicting how Johnny Depp beat her have gone viral. The case has been widely debated online, with some significant incidents capturing the internet’s attention. On Wednesday, it was finally Heard’s turn to testify, and she was asked to recall the moment her ex-husband Depp attacked her for the first time. People have been responding to Heard’s testimony, in which she reported being “slapped across the face” by Depp for laughing at his tattoo, on social media.
The Virginia courtroom tape has been extensively shared online and seen millions of times, with viewers making their judgments, both for and against Heard. Depp, 58, issued his ex-wife $50 million over an op-ed she penned about domestic abuse in 2018, claiming it harmed his career. Meanwhile, Heard, 36, is suing for $100 million in nuisance damages.
On Wednesday, Heard took the stand for the first time and was asked if she recalled the first time Depp “physically hit” her, to which she swiftly answered “yes.” She reported Depp as having been drinking and a “jar” of cocaine in front of them on the couch while they chatted.
She recalled Depp telling her the tattoo was “Wino,” which made her giggle. He notably acquired the tattoo “Winona” during his romance with Winona Ryder, but he altered it following their split. Heard stated that as she realised what it meant, she began laughing, and Depp smacked her across the face. She kept laughing because she assumed the slap was a joke, but he allegedly slapped her again.
“You think it’s hilarious? You find it amusing, b****?” Heard stated that Depp informed her. Heard stated that she suddenly stopped laughing but didn’t know what to do because she’d never been hit “as a woman” before.
Since she took the stand, Heard’s admirers have rushed out to defend her, but the internet support appears to be skewed against Depp. The most popular comments beneath a video of Heard’s testimony all dispute her narrative. @alexis.heaton, a TikTok user, wrote: “Did she forget to say something? @katied 4 wrote, “Her performance truly gives Kristen Stewart Bella feelings.” “This is very choreographed,” @lamottgabi wrote, while risa19780 commented on the length of the narrative (about 2’20 minutes overall) and stated, “She’s delaying to make up a story.” The comments keep coming, with Depp’s admirers disputing her version of events.
I Heard’s fans are louder on Twitter. Users on the social media network, such as @iaranox_ and @bethanyusher, posted their own stories of violent relationships in response to Heard’s testimony. The former described it as “very devastating and difficult to watch,” while the latter stated that “so much of what Amber Heard is saying seems uncomfortably familiar.”
“You’ve heard his point of view. Now, pay attention to what she says “The internet was informed by @IvanaE. “Listen to [Amber] and women, and believe women,” Ivnayh said.
While Heard’s admirers began to use the hashtag #IStandWithAmberHeard, many of Depp’s fans began to utilise the word as well, seeing how many of Heard’s supporters had their responses option turned off.
Ruth Glenn, CEO and President of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, commented on the trial’s sensationalization. “There appears to be this entertainment component that is discounting what happened in that relationship,” she told The Hill. When we start putting on a show like this, it becomes more of entertainment. And by presenting it in this manner to the broader public, we are allowing for assumptions, conclusions, and other factors that prevent us from delving further into the dynamics of domestic abuse.”
Depp’s admirers continue to point out things from the courtroom on Twitter. In the video of Heard testifying, Depp appears to avoid making eye contact with her. Depp’s fans praised him for it, with many interpreting it as further proof of his innocence. Newsweek has reached out to Heard and Depp’s agents for comment. The events mentioned in this article occurred on the 14th day of the trial. On Thursday, the defamation lawsuit between Depp and Heard will be heard again.