Amber Heard vs. Johnny Depp, the case everyone has been talking about, continues. The 2022 trial is being fully televised live on CourtTV and has since been projected all over social media from Twitter, TikTok, to Instagram and other platforms.

In 2016, Amber Heard divorced Johnny Depp with accusations of domestic abuse. Heard alleged that the abuse occurred throughout their relationship and that drugs and alcohol were the causes of the abuse. Johnny Depp denied these accusations.

In 2018, Heard published an article in The New York Times calling herself a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” The article did not directly point to Depp as an abuser, however, in 2019 Depp sued Heard for defamation and $50 million over the opinion article. 

According to Depp’s lawyers, “The op-ed depended on the central premise that Ms. Heard was a domestic abuse victim and that Mr. Depp perpetrated domestic violence against her.” 

On July 7, 2020, a three-week libel trial began with abuse allegations and accusations of affairs being thrown around on both sides. On November 2, the court ruled against Johnny Depp.

Since the trial, Depp has since been asked to resign from his roles in the “Fantastic Beasts” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchises.

On April 11, the trial for the $100 million for defamation began. Heard is counter-suing Depp in this ongoing trial. As the suit continues, evidence is being added to build each case, along with witnesses taking the stand. 

Debates over their ex-relationship have been around since the divorce and since Heard’s opinion piece with abuse allegations. Online fans use #JusticeForJohnnyDepp to show their support for Depp. Through my current time on social media, I have seen this hashtag countless times, as I’m sure others have as well. At the time of writing, #JusticeForJohnny has over 18.4k posts, while #JusticeForAmberHeard has roughly 8,000 posts on Instagram.

The trial has been very interesting to watch unfold, though some moments are difficult to watch, due to a glaring lack of professionalism. Heard’s lawyers are a chaotic mess who are not giving her case even an ounce of hope. 

Throughout the trial, her lawyers have lied on multiple occasions, objected to their questions, and just haven’t done anything beneficial to the case. Heard has since fired her PR team days before she takes the stand as the first witness in her case. 

In his testimony, Depp detailed the alleged abuse saying, “It could begin with a slap; it could begin with a shove; it could begin with throwing a TV remote at my head–throwing a glass of wine in my face.” 

Audio recordings were provided of the ex-couple where Amber Heard admitted to hitting Depp. “Tell them, I, Johnny Depp, I’m a victim of domestic abuse…and see how many people believe or side with you.” 

Heard and Depp’s marriage counselor Laurel Anderson said their relationship was “mutually abusive” which I find valid. It’s important to note that Anderson’s testimony may be rocky due to confidentiality purposes. 

In 2009, Heard was briefly arrested for allegedly striking her then-girlfriend Tasya van Ree during an argument. Van Ree later stated that Heard was “wrongfully accused for an incident that was misinterpreted and over-sensationalized.” No other accusations have been made since.

Depp’s exes have since publicly stated the actor was never violent. Ex-girlfriend Winona Ryder said the allegations were “impossible to believe.” Their relationship lasted four years; she states her experience with Depp was significantly different.

With all of the evidence that has been released, I believe Heard was the abusive one in their relationship. I think it’s possible to believe the relationship was “mutually abusive,” but at the time of writing, I stand with #JusticeForJohnnyDepp. Until Heard takes the stand, and if she comes out with solid evidence, I simply cannot side with her. We’ll see what she has to say when it’s her turn on the stand.