Jurors in Johnny Depp’s libel lawsuit against Amber Heard have heard audio recordings in which he referred to the violence that could ensue if their arguments were allowed to escalate.
"The next move, if I don’t walk away ... it’s going to be a bloodbath, like it was on the island," Depp says on the recording played in court on Monday.
In other audio clips, Depp loudly shouts vulgarities at his ex-wife, calling her a insulting name and yelling, “You stupid f–” at her.
Depp winced on the stand at Fairfax County Circuit Court as the clips were played, while Heard appeared to fight back tears.
The clips were part of cross-examination of the Pirates of the Caribbean star, who took the stand for a fourth day of testimony over his claim that Heard falsely portrayed him as a domestic abuser.
Questions from Heard’s lawyers in cross-examination have focused on Depp’s drinking, drug use and charged interactions with Heard during their relationship.
They argue that Depp physically and sexually abused her and that his denials lack merit because he was often drunk and high to the point of blacking out.
Depp, 58, is suing actress Heard, 36, for $50 million after she accused him of abuse before and during their roughly two-year marriage.
He has argued that Heard was the one who became violent in the relationship.
The case centres around a 2018 op-ed piece Heard wrote in The Washington Post in which referred to herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse.”
The article did not mention Depp by name, but his lawyer told jurors it was clear Heard was referencing him.
Depp said the accusations and the article contributed to an unfairly ruined reputation that made him a Hollywood outcast and cost him his role in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Heard’s attorneys say Depp’s damaged reputation is the result of his own bad behaviour.
They introduced news articles to the jury with headlines such as “Why are all of Johnny Depp’s movies bombing at the box office?” and “Where did it all go wrong for Johnny Depp?”
All were published before Heard’s piece. Depp said that as a longtime Hollywood star he was subject of "hit pieces."
Heard’s attorneys have argued that she told the truth and that her opinion was protected free speech under the US Constitution’s First Amendment.
The trial is expected to last until late May.
