Photo: SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty; STAR MAX/AP Images
Johnny DeppandAmber Heardare not allowed to interact with fans attending their defamation trial.
Judge Penney Azcarate ordered ahead of the trial that neither thePirates of the Caribbeanactor or theAquamanactress could “pose for pictures or sign autographs in the Courthouse or on Courthouse grounds” or be found in contempt of court and “punished accordingly,” per acourt document.
Azcarate also ordered that there “will be no overnight camping on Courthouse grounds” and “all spectators are expected to dress in a manner consistent with the decorum of a judicial proceeding.” Chewing gum, food and beverages are also prohibited inside the courtroom.
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Depp originally filed the $50 million lawsuit in March 2019, but it waspostponeddue to the pandemic.
Back in November 2020, Depplost his highly publicized U.K. libel lawsuit caseagainst British tabloidThe Sunfor calling him a “wife-beater.” The court upheld the outlet’s claims as being “substantially true” and Heard testified to back up the claims. In March 2021, his attempt tooverturn the decision was overruled.
For this libel case, however, Depp is suing Heard directly and not a media company, making her obligations and requirements to participate in the proceedings different this time around.
Heard previously asked to dismiss Depp’s Virginia lawsuit, arguing that the U.K. judgment should hold sway on the proceedings in the U.S. since both lawsuits center on allegations of Depp as an abuser. In August, however, a Virginia judge grantedDepp the right to pursue his lawsuit, denying Heard’s supplemental plea to dismiss the case.
On Saturday, Heardwroteon Instagram that she will be avoiding social media until after the trial,thanking her followers for their support.
She said, in part, “Hopefully when this case concludes, I can move on and so can Johnny. I have always maintained a love for Johnny and it brings me great pain to have to live out the details of our past life together in front of the world. At this time, I recognize the ongoing support I’ve been fortunate to receive throughout these years, and in these coming weeks I will be leaning on it more than ever.”
source: people.com
