Johnny Depp libel trial postponed due to coronavirus

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp vowed to destroy Amber Heard following the breakdown of their marriage, High Court hears as judge postpones libel battle due to coronavirus

  • Johnny Depp’s libel trial against The Sun has been postponed due to coronavirus
  • Mr Justice Nicol ‘reluctantly’ adjourned the battle until the pandemic subsides
  • Depp is suing the NGN newspaper and executive editor Dan Wootton after he was accused of beating his ex-wife Amber Heard
  • High Court heard Depp allegedly sent texts to Lady Gaga’s ex-fiance Christian Carino and his sister, in which he vowed to destroy Heard’s career
  • NGN’s lawyer accused the Pirates of the Caribbean film star of using his ‘physical, financial, and professional power’ to embarrass and harass Heard
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Johnny Depp’s libel trial against The Sun, which accused him of beating his ex-wife Amber Heard, has been adjourned due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Justice Nicol has ruled that Mr Depp’s case against The Sun’s owners News Group Newspapers will be postponed until after the worldwide crisis subsides. 

A two-week trial was due to begin in London next week, at which Mr Depp, Ms Heard, and a number of Hollywood figures were due to give evidence.   

Ms Heard, 33, had said she was prepared to fly out from LA and risk her health to bring the ‘ordeal’ her ex-husband has launched against her to an end. 

But now the trial has been adjourned ‘reluctantly’ at today’s preliminary hearing. 

Johnny Depp outside the High Court in London, as Mr Justice Nicol ruled that his libel trial against The Sun newspaper would be adjourned due to the coronavirus pandemic

Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard attending the 58th Grammy Awards in LA, February 2016

Mr Depp, 56, allegedly sent explosive texts to Lady Gaga’s ex-fiance Christian Carino in which he claimed that Heard was ‘begging for global humiliation’.   

He also appeared to claim that Heard had a sexual liaison with billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk in order to access legal representation. 

One message sent on August 15, 2016 was read to the High Court today: ‘She’s begging for global humiliation, she’s gonna get it. 

‘I’m gonna need your texts about San Francisco.

‘Brother, I’m sorry to even ask but she sucked mollusc’s [Elon Musk’s] crooked d*** and he gave her some sh**y lawyers.

‘I have no mercy left of what I thought was love for this gold-digging, low level, dime-a-dozen mushy, pointless, flappy fish market.

Heard and Depp attending The Art of Elysium 2016 Gala together in California 

‘I’m happy to fight her to the end. She will hit the wall hard. 

‘I met a f**ing sublime little Russian here. That time I blew on a 50 cent stripper I would not touch her with a goddamn glove.

‘I can only hope karma kicks in and takes the gift of breath from her. 

‘Sorry man but I will stop at nothing.’

Adam Wolanski QC for News Group Newspapers, which owns The Sun, alleged that Depp ‘has for many years used his physical, financial, and professional power to embarrass and harass’ Heard to attempt to destroy her career. 

In a text sent to Depp’s sister Christi Dembrowski in June 2016 , the actor: ‘I want her replaced on that WB (Warner Brothers) film.’

The message is thought to be a reference to Aquaman, in which Heard starred.

Speaking about Heard’s offer to catch a flight from LA amid the coronavirus panic, Mr Wolanski said: ‘Why is she prepared to take those very unusual steps?

‘Because as she’s explained in her statement, it is essential to her that the ordeal Mr Depp has subjected her to for many years be brought to an end.’

Depp leaving the High Court in London on February 26, 2020, where his trial will take place 

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