Johnny Depp’s Lawyers Reflect on Defamation Trial Strategy in A&E Special

Johnny Depp’s attorneys, Benjamin Chew and Jessica Meyers, revisited the 2022 defamation trial against Amber Heard in the A&E special Interrogation Raw: Celebrity Under Oath, which aired on December 26.

Chew highlighted Depp’s use of humor during testimony, noting it disarmed Heard's legal team's arguments and humanized the actor before the jury. However, the team worried about potential outbursts during cross-examination. "The other side tried to provoke anger, but Johnny didn’t let that happen," Chew said.

The trial centered on Depp’s lawsuit against Heard over a 2018 op-ed she wrote about surviving domestic abuse, though she didn’t name him. The jury sided with Depp, awarding him $1 million in damages after a settlement.

Reflecting on the verdict, Chew recalled Depp’s joy. "He sounded like a kid, relieved of a heavy burden," he said. Depp later described the outcome as regaining his life, emphasizing his pursuit of truth for his children and supporters.

Heard, who now resides in Spain, expressed heartbreak over the verdict, claiming it undermined the seriousness of violence against women. Her lawyer, Elaine Charlson Bredehoft, criticized the trial’s televised nature, arguing it allowed social media to influence public perception.

Heard had previously stated that Depp’s charm swayed the jury and shared her fears of being disbelieved during testimony. Neither Heard nor her legal team participated in the A&E special.