From his office window, attorney Jon Katz has a direct view of the Fairfax County Courthouse in Virginia, and for the past several weeks, he has watched fans gathering outside to catch a glimpse of Johnny Depp.
The trial pitting the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, is the biggest case Katz can recall in 20 years of practicing criminal defense in the area. He also does free-speech work — clients have included strip clubs, adult toy shops and the Westboro Baptist Church — so he has a professional stake in the outcome.
“I want a verdict against both of them,” he says.
Depp and Heard are suing each other for defamation. Depp alleges that Heard destroyed his career when she accused him of domestic violence. She is countersuing over his claim that her allegations are a hoax.
The trial has become a digital media spectacle. At one point during Heard’s May 4 testimony,...
The trial pitting the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, is the biggest case Katz can recall in 20 years of practicing criminal defense in the area. He also does free-speech work — clients have included strip clubs, adult toy shops and the Westboro Baptist Church — so he has a professional stake in the outcome.
“I want a verdict against both of them,” he says.
Depp and Heard are suing each other for defamation. Depp alleges that Heard destroyed his career when she accused him of domestic violence. She is countersuing over his claim that her allegations are a hoax.
The trial has become a digital media spectacle. At one point during Heard’s May 4 testimony,...
- 5/10/2022
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Johnny Depp’s recent failure to secure an appeal in the “wife beater” verdict against him in Britain is causing legal ripples on this side of the Atlantic. Flying the flag of international law, Amber Heard’s lawyers say the Pirates of the Caribbean star’s Stateside $50 million defamation lawsuit against the Aquaman actress should be sent packing.
“Giving full effect to the UK Judgments necessitates a finding that statements in the op-ed published in the Washington Post are true – Mr. Depp committed domestic violence against Ms. Heard on many occasions, causing her to fear for her life,” declares a supplemental plea in bar from Heard and Charlson Bredehoft Cohen & Brown, PC and Woods Rogers PC attorneys (read it here).
“Therefore, as a matter of law, Depp cannot prevail on any of his claims, and Depp’s Complaint against Ms. Heard should be dismissed in its entirety,” adds the April...
“Giving full effect to the UK Judgments necessitates a finding that statements in the op-ed published in the Washington Post are true – Mr. Depp committed domestic violence against Ms. Heard on many occasions, causing her to fear for her life,” declares a supplemental plea in bar from Heard and Charlson Bredehoft Cohen & Brown, PC and Woods Rogers PC attorneys (read it here).
“Therefore, as a matter of law, Depp cannot prevail on any of his claims, and Depp’s Complaint against Ms. Heard should be dismissed in its entirety,” adds the April...
- 4/22/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Sick of reading about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard? Well, you’d better get used to it, because their legal war is set to rumble on for most of 2021. After Depp’s catastrophic defeat in the British High Court, the pendulum has apparently begun to swing in Heard’s favor. He was denied permission to appeal by Mr. Justice Nicol, though we currently await the result of his direct application to the Court of Appeal itself. Legal observers say this avenue is most likely doomed, but we should know for sure fairly soon.
Over on this side of the pond, meanwhile, Depp is suing Heard for $50 million in Virginia over a Washington Post op-ed she wrote about her experience as a victim of domestic violence. In response, she filed a $100 million counterclaim, alleging defamation and that Depp was responsible for a social media effort to tarnish her career by getting...
Over on this side of the pond, meanwhile, Depp is suing Heard for $50 million in Virginia over a Washington Post op-ed she wrote about her experience as a victim of domestic violence. In response, she filed a $100 million counterclaim, alleging defamation and that Depp was responsible for a social media effort to tarnish her career by getting...
- 1/6/2021
- by David James
- We Got This Covered
Attempting to turn the tide on his legal battles on both sides of the Atlantic, Johnny Depp has come up short again and it may end up costing the former Pirates of the Caribbean star up to $100 million.
As Depp awaits word on whether his bid for new libel trial in the UK will be granted, a Virginia judge has refused the Oscar nominee’s desire to see Amber Heard’s big-bucks counterclaims thrown out of court. Hoping to take advantage of a new-ish anti-slapp law in the state, Depp sought to see a slew of statements made by himself and at least one of his lawyers over the truthfulness or “hoax” of Heard’s long-held claims of abuse during the couple’s short-lived marriage erased from the case.
No way, Fairfax County Judge Bruce White says.
Depp and attorney Adam Waldman’s remarks in the media the past few years “imply that Ms.
As Depp awaits word on whether his bid for new libel trial in the UK will be granted, a Virginia judge has refused the Oscar nominee’s desire to see Amber Heard’s big-bucks counterclaims thrown out of court. Hoping to take advantage of a new-ish anti-slapp law in the state, Depp sought to see a slew of statements made by himself and at least one of his lawyers over the truthfulness or “hoax” of Heard’s long-held claims of abuse during the couple’s short-lived marriage erased from the case.
No way, Fairfax County Judge Bruce White says.
Depp and attorney Adam Waldman’s remarks in the media the past few years “imply that Ms.
- 1/5/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
After months of slipping out of having to actually sit down for the $50 million defamation lawsuit that he launched against Amber Heard, Johnny Depp may have run out of moves.
“Plaintiff John C. Depp, II shall …appear for three successive days in counsel for Defendant’s offices in Virginia …or at such other place in Northern Virginia designated by counsel for Defendant, from November 10-12, 2020, beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day,” declares an order yesterday from Fairfax County Va Circuit Court Chief Judge Bruce White (Read It Here).
No word yet from the Depp camp if the Fantastic Beasts star plans to fight this order, yet. However, if the Oscar nominee does show up, it looks like it will involve him having to skip out of some of the UK filming of the latest sequel in the WB franchise from J.K Rowling.
It was the coronavirus delayed start...
“Plaintiff John C. Depp, II shall …appear for three successive days in counsel for Defendant’s offices in Virginia …or at such other place in Northern Virginia designated by counsel for Defendant, from November 10-12, 2020, beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day,” declares an order yesterday from Fairfax County Va Circuit Court Chief Judge Bruce White (Read It Here).
No word yet from the Depp camp if the Fantastic Beasts star plans to fight this order, yet. However, if the Oscar nominee does show up, it looks like it will involve him having to skip out of some of the UK filming of the latest sequel in the WB franchise from J.K Rowling.
It was the coronavirus delayed start...
- 10/16/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Johnny Depp may have succeeded earlier this month in getting the trial for his $50 million defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard pushed back to May next year, but the Fantastic Beasts star might not be so wily when it comes to ducking a deposition in the heated case.
Having already launched a $100 million counterclaim against her ex-husband this summer, Heard is now asking a Virginia judge to force Depp to finally sit down for an elongated examination by her attorneys. Yet, as past lawsuits have taught us, Johnny Depp has never been so good with deposition dates or other deadlines, if you know what I mean?
“Defendant is forced to bring this motion after extensive efforts to obtain the deposition of Plaintiff, even after providing a two-month Notice of Deposition, asking for locations and dates for Mr. Depp prior to his filming, seeking discovery to ascertain Mr. Depp’s exact filming schedule,...
Having already launched a $100 million counterclaim against her ex-husband this summer, Heard is now asking a Virginia judge to force Depp to finally sit down for an elongated examination by her attorneys. Yet, as past lawsuits have taught us, Johnny Depp has never been so good with deposition dates or other deadlines, if you know what I mean?
“Defendant is forced to bring this motion after extensive efforts to obtain the deposition of Plaintiff, even after providing a two-month Notice of Deposition, asking for locations and dates for Mr. Depp prior to his filming, seeking discovery to ascertain Mr. Depp’s exact filming schedule,...
- 9/30/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Johnny Depp today got his wish to have another delay in the start of the trial over his $50 million defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard, but not for the reasons he pitched.
In a hearing this morning in Fairfax County, Virginia, Circuit Court Chief Judge Bruce White pushed the trial back from January 11 next year to May 3, 2021. However, the latest postponement had nothing to do with Depp’s filming schedule for Warner Bros’ Fantastic Beasts 3. Nor was the new date scheduled because of Heard’s Aquaman 2 commitments.
Nope, it was all about Covid-19.
“Right now, the Virginia Supreme Court has not authorized us to conduct jury trials,” Judge White told the virtually assembled lawyers for both actors. Heard herself also participated via video link on Friday. Even the new date is actually penciled in, as criminal trials are going to be the first back in court and the backlog could...
In a hearing this morning in Fairfax County, Virginia, Circuit Court Chief Judge Bruce White pushed the trial back from January 11 next year to May 3, 2021. However, the latest postponement had nothing to do with Depp’s filming schedule for Warner Bros’ Fantastic Beasts 3. Nor was the new date scheduled because of Heard’s Aquaman 2 commitments.
Nope, it was all about Covid-19.
“Right now, the Virginia Supreme Court has not authorized us to conduct jury trials,” Judge White told the virtually assembled lawyers for both actors. Heard herself also participated via video link on Friday. Even the new date is actually penciled in, as criminal trials are going to be the first back in court and the backlog could...
- 9/11/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
A petition to remove actress Amber Heard from DC’s upcoming Aquaman 2 has now passed 400K signatures.
The petition was started in response to the increasingly alarming evidence that supports that Heard abused her ex-husband, Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp. Of course, it’s just one of many petitions, as multiple have been started with the goal of removing her as L’Oreal’s spokesperson as well, and some have nearly reached their goals.
The couple’s marriage was ended in 2017, resulting in a dragged-out and ongoing legal battle between them ever since. Both celebrities state that they were abused in the marriage, though most of the information that has come out thus far seems to implicate Heard as the instigator of most of the altercations. There’s been little evidence released at this point that would indicate that Depp was ever physically abusive in return.
Throughout the legal battle,...
The petition was started in response to the increasingly alarming evidence that supports that Heard abused her ex-husband, Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp. Of course, it’s just one of many petitions, as multiple have been started with the goal of removing her as L’Oreal’s spokesperson as well, and some have nearly reached their goals.
The couple’s marriage was ended in 2017, resulting in a dragged-out and ongoing legal battle between them ever since. Both celebrities state that they were abused in the marriage, though most of the information that has come out thus far seems to implicate Heard as the instigator of most of the altercations. There’s been little evidence released at this point that would indicate that Depp was ever physically abusive in return.
Throughout the legal battle,...
- 4/9/2020
- by Billy Givens
- We Got This Covered
Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp has been locked in a perpetual legal battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard (Aquaman) ever since their 2017 divorce where both sides claimed abuse from the other. Though most of the evidence revealed thus far has indicated that Heard was the primary abuser in the couple’s tumultuous marriage, it hasn’t stopped her from fighting vigilantly to bury Depp’s career. And as things ramp up, reports now say that Heard hired private investigator Paul Barresi to dig up dirt on Depp.
Barresi went to pretty extensive lengths to uncover information on Depp, too, tracing back his business dealings to when he co-owned popular a nightclub called The Viper Room in the 1990s. Yet after speaking to over 100 people that worked with the actor over the past 30 or so years, he found that not even one of them had anything bad to say.
Barresi went to pretty extensive lengths to uncover information on Depp, too, tracing back his business dealings to when he co-owned popular a nightclub called The Viper Room in the 1990s. Yet after speaking to over 100 people that worked with the actor over the past 30 or so years, he found that not even one of them had anything bad to say.
- 4/4/2020
- by Billy Givens
- We Got This Covered
In a shocking new twist in the ongoing legal battle between Johnny Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard, evidence has surfaced that seems to indicate that Depp may have lied about a very important detail of the case he’s been building.
The actor had previously stated in court documents that Heard had severed his finger by throwing a large glass bottle of Vodka at him during one of their many scuffles. New texts with his doctor, however, seem to tell a jarringly different story.
In an exchange via text on March 7th, 2015, Depp told his doctor:
I cut the top of my middle finger off… What should I do!?? Except, of course, go to a hospital…. I’m so embarrassed for jumping into anything with her… F**K The World!!! Jd.
But only 12 days later, he texted the following:
Thank you for everything. I have chopped off my left middle...
The actor had previously stated in court documents that Heard had severed his finger by throwing a large glass bottle of Vodka at him during one of their many scuffles. New texts with his doctor, however, seem to tell a jarringly different story.
In an exchange via text on March 7th, 2015, Depp told his doctor:
I cut the top of my middle finger off… What should I do!?? Except, of course, go to a hospital…. I’m so embarrassed for jumping into anything with her… F**K The World!!! Jd.
But only 12 days later, he texted the following:
Thank you for everything. I have chopped off my left middle...
- 4/1/2020
- by Billy Givens
- We Got This Covered
Ex-lovers Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have had a truly dramatic few years since the couple divorced in January of 2017. Following abuse allegations from Heard, Depp took the matter to the courts with a $50 million defamation lawsuit. Now, Heard’s attempted dismissal of the case has been denied by Fairfax, Va County Chief Judge Bruce White, marking a substantial win for Depp in the ongoing battle.
Judge White had this to say in response to Heard’s dismissal request:
Defendant’s Demurrer is sustained as to the fourth statement listed above, but it is overruled as to the other three statements. Further, Defendant’s Plea in Bar regarding the statute of limitations is denied. Counsel shall prepare an Order reflecting the Court’s ruling and forward that Order to the Court for entry.
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Judge White had this to say in response to Heard’s dismissal request:
Defendant’s Demurrer is sustained as to the fourth statement listed above, but it is overruled as to the other three statements. Further, Defendant’s Plea in Bar regarding the statute of limitations is denied. Counsel shall prepare an Order reflecting the Court’s ruling and forward that Order to the Court for entry.
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- 3/31/2020
- by Billy Givens
- We Got This Covered
Exclusive updated with statement from Depp’s rep: With his legal action against a Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid on hold in the UK due to coronavirus lockdowns, Johnny Depp on Friday saw Amber Heard’s move to effectively steamroll Depp’s $50 million defamation suit against her hit a significant judicial roadblock.
“Defendant’s Demurrer is sustained as to the fourth statement listed above, but it is overruled as to the other three statements,” wrote Fairfax (Va) County Chief Judge Bruce White on Friday in a lengthy opinion letter (read it here) to lawyers on both sides of the personal and messy battle. “Further, Defendant’s Plea in Bar regarding the statute of limitations is denied. Counsel shall prepare an Order reflecting the Court’s ruling and forward that Order to the Court for entry,” the Virginia state judge added, noting the trio of statements by Heard distinctly implied that Depp had abused her,...
“Defendant’s Demurrer is sustained as to the fourth statement listed above, but it is overruled as to the other three statements,” wrote Fairfax (Va) County Chief Judge Bruce White on Friday in a lengthy opinion letter (read it here) to lawyers on both sides of the personal and messy battle. “Further, Defendant’s Plea in Bar regarding the statute of limitations is denied. Counsel shall prepare an Order reflecting the Court’s ruling and forward that Order to the Court for entry,” the Virginia state judge added, noting the trio of statements by Heard distinctly implied that Depp had abused her,...
- 3/27/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Johnny Depp has settled two big bucks lawsuits with two sets of former attorneys in the past month, but it may be quite a while before things get resolved in the ex-Pirates of the Caribbean star’s $50 million defamation action against Amber Heard.
Due to the apparent fact that Depp didn’t meet the November 15 deadline to produce all of the October court ordered records related to his drug and alcohol usage, judicial officials in Fairfax County, Virginia have granted a six-month postponement of the start of the jury trial between the once married Rum Diary co-stars. Instead of kicking off the three-week proceedings on February 3, 2020, the whole messy shebang will now commence on August 3 next year.
Citing “good cause shown by both sides,” the regional calendar control judge on the eve of Thanksgiving agreed to the motion from the Aquaman star. It should be noted that Heard’s...
Due to the apparent fact that Depp didn’t meet the November 15 deadline to produce all of the October court ordered records related to his drug and alcohol usage, judicial officials in Fairfax County, Virginia have granted a six-month postponement of the start of the jury trial between the once married Rum Diary co-stars. Instead of kicking off the three-week proceedings on February 3, 2020, the whole messy shebang will now commence on August 3 next year.
Citing “good cause shown by both sides,” the regional calendar control judge on the eve of Thanksgiving agreed to the motion from the Aquaman star. It should be noted that Heard’s...
- 11/28/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Just more than a month before they were set to go to trial, Johnny Depp and his former lawyers settled the $50 million malpractice suit the Pirates of the Caribbean star launched in 2017. This comes as a $50 million defamation suit between Depp and Amber Heard heats up on the West Coast.
“The former law firm of Bloom Hergott, with the help of its insurance carrier, has favorably settled the litigation with Johnny Depp for a fraction of his original demand,” lawyer Bryan Freedman said Wednesday of the battle that was set for a December 2 trial start. “While the firm was confident it would prevail at trial, we are nonetheless pleased with this resolution as it expedites the firm’s winding down process and allows it to get off the endless Johnny Depp litigation train.”
Depp’s side has a rather different take on the conclusion to what has been a pitched...
“The former law firm of Bloom Hergott, with the help of its insurance carrier, has favorably settled the litigation with Johnny Depp for a fraction of his original demand,” lawyer Bryan Freedman said Wednesday of the battle that was set for a December 2 trial start. “While the firm was confident it would prevail at trial, we are nonetheless pleased with this resolution as it expedites the firm’s winding down process and allows it to get off the endless Johnny Depp litigation train.”
Depp’s side has a rather different take on the conclusion to what has been a pitched...
- 10/30/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Mondo Gallery is putting some of the most iconic and feared monsters in the spotlight this month.
Dracula will join The Wolf Man, The Mummy and the Creature From The Black Lagoon, Frankenstein, and more to haunt an Austin art gallery.
The Mondo Gallery is hosting Universal Studio's classic monsters through the latter part of this month, Jan. 19 - Jan. 27, and THR got an exclusive look at some of the art that will be on display. It's something that Mondo says they are very excited about. Mitch Putnam, Mondo creative director, had this to say in a statement:
"Ever since our original Universal Studios’ Monsters show in 2012, we always knew we'd love to revisit it with a handful of fresh, new posters. We've got a bunch of our favorite artists tackling some of the most thrilling films of all time, so this one is kind of a dream come true.
Dracula will join The Wolf Man, The Mummy and the Creature From The Black Lagoon, Frankenstein, and more to haunt an Austin art gallery.
The Mondo Gallery is hosting Universal Studio's classic monsters through the latter part of this month, Jan. 19 - Jan. 27, and THR got an exclusive look at some of the art that will be on display. It's something that Mondo says they are very excited about. Mitch Putnam, Mondo creative director, had this to say in a statement:
"Ever since our original Universal Studios’ Monsters show in 2012, we always knew we'd love to revisit it with a handful of fresh, new posters. We've got a bunch of our favorite artists tackling some of the most thrilling films of all time, so this one is kind of a dream come true.
- 1/4/2018
- by Kristian Odland
- GeekTyrant
Welcome back to another installment of Daily Dead’s 2015 Holiday Gift Guide—we’re now on the eighth day and for today’s gifting ideas, we’re turning the spotlight on several great books related to noteworthy horror and sci-fi TV shows. We’re also featuring some amazing indie artists in this edition of the Hgg—Electric Zombie and Velvet Geek—and we’ve also found some pop culture-inspired Clue games that would be perfect to put under the tree this year.
This year’s Holiday Gift Guide is being sponsored by Rlj Entertainment and their recent terrifying yuletide release, A Christmas Horror Story. To help you guys get into the spirit of the season, we’ve put together ten amazing prize packs filled with goodies, a T-shirt and your very own copy of A Christmas Horror Story to get you ready for the holiday season.
For a chance to...
This year’s Holiday Gift Guide is being sponsored by Rlj Entertainment and their recent terrifying yuletide release, A Christmas Horror Story. To help you guys get into the spirit of the season, we’ve put together ten amazing prize packs filled with goodies, a T-shirt and your very own copy of A Christmas Horror Story to get you ready for the holiday season.
For a chance to...
- 12/3/2015
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
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