Defamation lawsuit: “Not the only partner you attacked”: Depp’s lawyer takes Amber Heard through the wringer

May 18, 2022

Cross-examined by Johnny Depp’s attorney, Camille Vasquez, Amber Heard was forced to comment on a previous relationship in which she was accused of violence.

Their strategy was clear: under cross-examination, Johnny Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, tried to portray Amber Heard as the violent one in the relationship. So she played recordings in which you can hear Heard admitting to having beaten Depp.

Amber Heard: Johnny Depp’s lawyer puts her through the wringer

She also referred to an incident that happened in 2009, when police officers saw Amber Heard allegedly slap her then-girlfriend Tasya van Ree on the arm and rip off her necklace. The incident is said to have taken place at the airport. Heard was arrested but the charges were dropped. “Mr. Depp is not the only partner of yours that you have attacked,” Vasquez said, barely giving Heard enough time to respond. “I’ve never attacked a partner,” the actress insisted. “I have never attacked Mr. Depp or anyone else I was romantically involved with,” she said.

After Vasquez had no more questions, Heard’s attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, came forward and began asking Heard questions. So she wanted to know from her whether van Ree had taken a stand on the incident and had clarified it, which Heard himself confirmed. Heard sees a “smear campaign” by Depp’s team behind the reports about her history, which wants to paint a bad picture of her.

Ex-girlfriend defended her

Van Ree said in a 2016 statement she gave to Variety magazine: “In 2009, Amber was wrongly accused of an incident that was misinterpreted and overly sensitized by two people in positions of power. I remember hints a misogynistic attitude toward us that was later revealed to be homophobic when they learned we were life partners and not just ‘friends’. The charges were quickly dropped and she was released shortly thereafter. It is disappointing that Amber’s integrity and her history to be questioned once again.”

Quelle: “Variety”