Why is Johnny Depp on trial?

Johnny Depp is on trial for a defamation suit he filed against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Heard penned an opinion piece for The Washington Post in December 2018, detailing her experiences as a “public figure representing domestic abuse.”

“For women who speak out, I felt the full weight of our culture’s fury,” she wrote. “I had the unique opportunity to observe in real-time how institutions shield guys accused of sexual misconduct.”

She didn’t name her ex-husband or any of the other alleged perpetrators. However, according to Depp’s case, these three sentences amount to defamation, which has harmed his career and reputation “incalculably.”

The star’s lawyer claimed in the case, “The opinion piece-unmistakable insinuation that Mr Depp is a domestic abuser is completely and manifestly false.” “Her charges… are part of a sophisticated ruse designed to generate positive publicity for her.”

For Depp to win, Jurors must “show by clear and compelling evidence” that Heard willfully fabricated false claims.