10h 15min, apr 11, 2022 y - Depp v Heard MEDIA: Day 1 Johnny Depp suit against Amber Heard starts with jury picks No Autographs or Selfies Allowed

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FROM THE DAILY MAIL:

Amber is psychotic, Johnny was set up': Judge grills potential jurors on their knowledge about the feuding exes - with one revealing a text supporting Depp - as his $100million defamation trial kicks off

by BEN ASHFORD

Johnny Depp's $100million defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard kicks off today in Fairfax, Virginia with jury selection.

The two actors were brought into the courthouse in secrecy after Judge Penney Azcarate ordered deputies to stop the proceedings becoming a media circus.

Neither were seen until they appeared in an internal video feed, sitting on opposite sides of the oak-paneled courtroom, Depp, 58, wearing a grey suit and Amber, 35, wearing a black suit jacket and white blouse. The judge also issued an order banning either party from giving autographs or fraternizing with fans.

Judge Azcarate began by grilling the pool of 60 potential jurors about what they knew of the rancorous three-year defamation case.

'We need to find out what you know and whether you can be a fair, impartial juror,' she told the hearing, which was closed to the public. 'What you hear about this case must be limited to what you hear within the four walls of this courtroom.'

The majority of prospective jurors said they had heard snippets about the case, seen photos or had read a handful of articles but all said they could keep an open mind.

One man told the court he was familiar with Depp but had never heard of Amber Heard.

Asked if he was a fan of Depp, he laughed and replied: 'Not really, I've seen his movies.'

Another possible juror read out loud a text message his wife had sent him earlier that morning.

Amber is Psychotic, Johnny was set up. Nobody pays attention to spousal abuse when the husband is the victim … lol,' he said, laughing.

The message solicited a roar of approval from dozens of Depp fans who had turned up hours earlier to snag a place in the overflow room, dwarfing the handful of reporters.

Asked if he could set aside his wife's 'definitive' opinions, he said he could and joked: 'She tends to exaggerate.'

Fans began gathering outside the courthouse at 5am, the majority there to show support for Depp.

'I love him dearly. I've been a fan for 36 years, I've met him many times,' gushed Yvonne de Boer, who made the pilgrimage from Los Angeles to Virginia.

'I want to be hear from him, to hear him speak his truth. We want him to know he's not alone.'

The former flames are preparing to square up over a December 2018 op-ed Heard penned for the Washington Post declaring herself a domestic violence survivor.

The article did not mention Depp by name but the veteran actor sued for $50 million, claiming he was booted from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise because of the 'clear implication' he was the abuser.

Debbie Debowski, a member of fan group the 'Johnny Depp Culprits', flew in from Houston.

'I want Johnny to know how much his fans love him. He's just a normal guy, he's gentle and sweet. It's inconceivable that he could behave the way Amber said he did.'

Natasha Miller drove from Reno, Nevada to hear the Pirates of the Caribbean actor speak in person.

'He's lost work, people's perception of him has changed,' she told DailyMail.com.

'I don't think that he did the things that she said he did. I don't buy it. I've heard the audio tapes, she straight up admits hitting him.

'I'll be here until the trial is over. He's the chief, I'll go where the chief goes. He's been my favorite everything for 28 years, ever since I saw him in Benny & Joon. He's a brilliant man.'

Kayla Gauthier, 19, travelled to the trial with her mom to join a crowd of around 30 supporters.

'He's my favorite person. I was raised on his films. He's my hero,' she beamed, proudly showing off her Edward Scissorhands t-shirt.

Depp's suit claims Heard presented the world with a 'hoax' account of the infamous May 21, 2016 dust up that brought the couple's tumultuous marriage to an end, complete with faked injuries and crocodile tears.

He further alleges that his ex-wife was the actual 'perpetrator' of the violent bouts that scarred their relationship, including a notorious incident in Australia where she allegedly severed his finger with a vodka bottle.

Heard has countersued for $100 million, claiming vengeful Depp has waged a years-long smear campaign, using media allies and internet trolls to silence her and derail her acting career.

She stands by her claim that Depp hurled a phone in her face and viciously battered her during the fateful 2016 fight despite LAPD officers deciding there was no grounds to investigate.

The officers are among dozens of possible witnesses slated to give evidence either in person or via video link over the next six weeks, including Hollywood actors Paul Bettany, James Franco and Ellen Barkin.

Another intriguing name is Elon Musk whom Depp has accused of having an affair with Heard while they were still married, an accusation the Space X mogul has denied.

But as DailyMail.com revealed last week, the world's richest man will likely swerve proceedings because he's not a Virginia resident and therefore can't be compelled to give evidence.

Depp is fighting an uphill battle to salvage his reputation after Britain's High Court ruled against him last year when he sued The Sun newspaper for calling him a 'wife beater'.

[Long Article continued via the links below]

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