Why There Will Be No Johnny Depp And Amber Heard Trial This Week

Johnny Depp's defamation trial against Amber Heard has gripped the world, but it's been put on hold for a week.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star's $50 million (£38 million) defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, centred on a 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which Heard claimed she had become 'a public figure representing domestic abuse', is ongoing in Virginia.

Depp's attorneys have accused Heard of orchestrating an elaborate 'hoax' with the 'clear implication' he was an abuser, coming after he lost his libel case against The Sun because the judge ruled claims he was a 'wife-beater' to be 'substantially true'.

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The trial officially kicked off on April 11, with each day being as dramatic as the last, whether it's a psychologist hired by Depp's team diagnosing Heard with two personality disorders, Heard's testimony over Depp's alleged abuse or the moment they appeared to lock eyes in the courtroom.

Since it began, it's been available to livestream on Court TV and Law & Crime Network, with clips steadily shared to social media over the course of a day's proceedings.

However, for those following the case, whether you're a journalist or fan, this week will be quiet in terms of coverage - because there's no trial at all.

Quickly put any speculation aside: the hiatus isn't as a result of anything in the trial. Fairfax County Circuit Judge Penney Azcarate, who is presiding over the case, is said to have a previous engagement at a conference this week until Thursday, 12 May, according to Metro.

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As a result, the trial will resume on Monday, 16 May, at which point Heard will continue with her testimony and face cross-examination by Depp's team.

Ahead of the week long break, Azcarate reminded jurors not to watch, read or listen to anything regarding the trial in the interim.

She said: "What you learn about this case is limited to what you learn in the four walls of this courtroom when proceedings are underway, okay?"

Closing arguments are scheduled for 27 May, however there's no estimate on when a verdict will be delivered.

In a statement of confidence, Depp's team took aim at Heard's claims, alleging they've 'continued to grow new and convenient details' while Depp's have remained the same, The Independent reports.

Heard's team said Depp's 'defamation claim is falling apart so rapidly that his counsel are turning from prosecutor to persecutor'.

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