Amber Heard Denies Assaulting Her Ex-Girlfriend As Cross-Examination Grows Tense

Amber Heard has branded allegations that she assaulted an ex-girlfriend a 'smear campaign' spearheaded by Johnny Depp’s team.

The 36-year-old star made the claims during the final day of cross-examination on Tuesday (17 May) in the defamation trial against her.

Depp, 58, is suing Heard in a $50 million (£38.2 million) defamation lawsuit over domestic abuse claims she made in a piece for The Washington Post in 2018.

Although the Pirates of the Caribbean actor was not named in the article, lawyers for Depp argue the op-ed suggests he was physically and sexually abusive towards Heard.

Alamy

During the final moments of Heard’s cross-examination, Depp’s attorney Camille Vasquez brought up previous claims that the actor allegedly struck her former partner Tasya van Ree in 2009.

At the time, two police officers allegedly witnessed the Aquaman star hit van Ree’s arm and pull her necklace off before being arrested. However, the charges were quickly dropped.

During her questioning, Vasquez said: "You committed domestic violence against Ms Van Reed didn’t you?"

To which Heard responded: "No, I did not."

"You assaulted her at a Seattle airport in 2009, didn’t you?" Vasquez asked.

The movie star then stated again: "No, I did not."

Alamy

When Depp’s attorney said: "And people saw that," Heard interjected, saying: "That’s not true."

After Vasquez remarked that the alleged incident appeared in the press, Heard claimed it was planted by Depp’s team.

Looking at the jury, she said: "It was planted in the press by Johnny’s team days after I got the TRO. Not coincidentally."

Heard later alleged: "This is another example of the smear campaign."

In her final question, Vasquez said: "Johnny Depp isn’t the only partner of yours that you’ve assaulted."

"I’ve never assaulted any partner," Heard insisted. "I’ve never assaulted Mr Depp or any other person I was romantically linked to, ever."

Vasquez then confirmed to the judge that she had no further questions, wrapping up Heard’s lengthy cross-examination.

Elsewhere in the cross-examination, Depp's attorney accused Heard of editing photos of alleged abuse, which were captured back in May 2016.

Vasquez asked: "Isn't it true that you edited this photograph? That you enhanced one to make it look more red?"

Heard replied: "No, that is not true."

"You were also in this courtroom when James Franco said that he saw no injuries to your face on May 22, 2016?" Vasquez asked, to which Heard again denied.

Topics: Amber Heard, Johnny Depp, US News, Celebrity

Lisa McLoughlin