Johnny Depp’s legal team presented several audio recordings where Amber Heard is heard admitting to physical altercations. In one recording, Heard says, “I was hitting you, it was not punching you,” which Depp’s lawyers used to highlight Heard's aggression and inconsistencies in her statements about being a victim of domestic violence.
Numerous eyewitnesses, including Depp’s security personnel and employees, testified that they had not seen any signs of physical abuse on Heard during the times she claimed to have been injured. They also testified about incidents where Heard allegedly instigated violent confrontations.
Depp's team submitted photographs showing Depp with visible injuries, including a severed fingertip, which Depp claimed resulted from an altercation with Heard. These images were intended to counter Heard's narrative by suggesting she was the aggressor in the relationship.
Text messages between Heard and Depp, and between Heard and other individuals, were introduced as evidence. In these messages, Heard apologizes for her behavior and acknowledges the physical confrontations, which bolstered Depp's claims of being a victim of domestic violence.
Heard presented medical records and photographs documenting her injuries, which she claimed were inflicted by Depp during violent outbursts. These included images of bruises, cuts, and swelling on her face and body.
Several witnesses, including friends and family members of Heard, testified to seeing her injuries and to witnessing volatile interactions between the couple. They corroborated Heard’s claims of physical and emotional abuse.
Heard’s legal team also provided text messages and emails where Depp expressed remorse for his behavior and described his struggle with substance abuse. These communications were used to portray Depp as having a volatile and unpredictable demeanor.
Heard's attorneys submitted psychological evaluations diagnosing her with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the alleged abuse. These evaluations aimed to provide a clinical basis for her claims and underscore the long-term impact of the alleged violence.
A critical aspect of the trial was the examination of injuries sustained by both parties. The defense and prosecution each sought to discredit the other’s claims by questioning the authenticity and timing of the injuries. For example, the timing of Heard’s injuries often coincided with public appearances where no visible marks were noted, raising questions about their legitimacy.
The credibility of witnesses played a significant role in the trial. Testimonies from impartial witnesses, such as law enforcement officers who responded to domestic disturbance calls, were scrutinized to establish a timeline and context for the alleged incidents.
The psychological evaluations presented by both sides were essential in assessing the long-term effects of the relationship on Depp and Heard. While Heard claimed PTSD from the abuse, Depp’s team argued that Heard’s own psychological issues contributed to the toxic nature of their relationship.
