The Johnny Depp versus Amber Heard trial continued in Virginia this week with Depp suing Heard for $50million (£40.4m) for defamation over an op-ed she wrote in 2018 referencing her experience of domestic abuse. Depp wasn’t named in the piece, but he has claimed it lost him his career. Meanwhile, Amber is countersuing for $100m (£80.9m).
During her testimony, Heard referred to a rumour that Depp allegedly pushed his ex-girlfriend and supermodel Kate Moss down a flight of stairs. Moss and Depp dated for three years from 1994 to 1998 and allegedly fought often with frequent reports of intense arguments – but neither have ever publicly spoken out about the ‘staircase incident’.
Heard, while describing an incident during which she punched Depp in the face to allegedly protect her sister Whitney, explained: ‘She [Whitney] threw herself in the line of fire…She was trying to get Johnny to stop. Her back was to the staircase, and Johnny swings at her. I don’t hesitate and wait—I instantly think of Kate Moss and stairs.’
Depp’s lawyers celebrated at the mention of the model’s name and Moss was subsequently called to testify as a rebuttal witness for Depp, which launched some serious speculation from analysts and insiders on what she was going to reveal to the judge.
What did Kate Moss say in her testimony?
Swearing under oath, Kate Moss confirmed she was in a relationship with Depp from '1994 to 1998'. Depp's lawyer then asked her about the staircase incident, which took place while they were on vacation at the GoldenEye resort in Jamaica.
'We were leaving the room and Johnny left the room before I did,’ Kate said. ‘There had been a rainstorm, and as I left the room, I slid down the stairs and hurt my back, and I screamed, because I didn’t know what had happened to me, and I was in pain. He came running back to help me, carried me to my room, and got me medical attention.’
When asked if she was pushed down the stairs at any point in their relationship, Kate said: 'No, he never pushed me, kicked me or threw me down any stairs.’
Depp's lawyer then asked 'Why did you decide to testify today?' but before she could answer Heard's lawyer raised an objection. Moss was then dismissed without cross examination.
What does Kate Moss’ testimony mean for Amber Heard?
The case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is now in its sixth week, meaning the trial will be ending this Friday May 27. As such, Moss’ testimony will be one of the last things the jury have heard, which experts have claimed could negatively affect her case.
Depp’s lawyers celebrated when Heard mentioned Moss during her testimony last week because it gave them means to call Moss, who has always spoken kindly of the actor and was predicted to testify their relationship was non-violent, as a witness.