Johnny Depp trial: Amber Heard's psychologist declares that Depp "kicked" her for "jealousy towards James Franco"
Hughes claims Depp perpetrated multiple acts of s-xual and physical violence against Heard
Psychologist Dawn Hughes testified on Tuesday (May 3) that Johnny Depp "kicked" Amber Heard "in the back" in a fit of jealousy over James Franco.
Dr. Hughes was the first witness to testify for Heard after Depp's lawyers rested on Tuesday, following more than three weeks of evidence and testimony in the Pirates of the Carribbean actor's defamation lawsuit against the his ex-wife.
While on the stand, Dr. Hughes claimed that Depp perpetrated multiple acts of s-xual and physical violence against Heard over the course of her tumultuous marriage, which ended in divorce in 2016.
Dr. Hughes referred to the "Boston plane incident" that allegedly occurred on May 24, 2014 when "Heard and Depp were going to fly back to Los Angeles and spend the weekend together" because they had been on a shoot. in separate places.
“Heard is on the plane, waiting for Depp to get on. Apparently he is sitting in the truck smoking weed and drinking. She is shooting with James Franco right now,” explained Dr. Hughes.
“She gets on the plane and starts talking about James Franco, making a bunch of disparaging comments about her. 'I hope you had fun with your escapades' and some more incendiary language," she added.
“Then in an argument as she got up to leave, he kicked her in the back. She went to the front of the plane."
Heard and Franco were shooting their movie The Adderall Diaries in New York, and were photographed on set by paparazzi on May 30, 2014.
During Depp's libel suit against Britain's The Sun newspaper over an article calling him a "wife beater," the 58-year-old actor denied the allegations, telling the court that he slept in the bathroom for the rest of the flight.
Last week it was reported that Franco - who was listed as a possible witness for Heard along with Elon Musk - would not testify during the trial.
The New York-based clinical and forensic psychologist also claimed at trial that Depp felt insecure around "almost everyone" Heard was involved with in a movie.
Dr. Hughes told jurors that "the allegations of infidelity were constant and that Billy Bob [Thornton] was one of the people she continued to berate her for having an affair with."
Dr. Hughes indicated that she had diagnosed Heard with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of Depp's alleged dating violence.
She claimed that Heard had reported that Depp had "shoved", "slapped" and "choked" her. She also claimed that he had "hit her against a wall" and that he had kicked her.
The psychologist stated that Heard claimed to suffer bruises, cuts and "vaginal pain" derived from s-xual assault.
The testimony runs counter to statements by psychologist Dr. Shannon Curry, who was called by Depp's team and testified earlier in the trial, that Heard has "histrionic and borderline personality disorders" and "greatly exaggerated symptoms." of PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder].”
Dr. Hughes also rejected the claim that the couple was responsible for "mutual abuse," as her marriage counselor testified earlier in the trial.
In her 2018 op-ed, Heard wrote: “Like many women, she had been s-xually harassed and assaulted when she was of college age. But I kept quiet: I did not expect that justice would be done by filing complaints. And I didn't see myself as a victim."
“Then, two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture's anger towards women speaking out,” she added then her.
Although Depp is not named in the article, her legal team argues that it contains a "clear implication that Depp is a domestic abuser," which they say is "categorically and demonstrably false." Depp is seeking damages of "not less than $50 million."
Heard has filed a $100 million counterclaim against Depp, for inconvenience and immunity from his accusations.
