Reason behind 10-day hiatus in Depp vs Heard defamation trial

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By Carina Murphy

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If you're one of the many people closely following the explosive trial between celebrity exes Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, you may be surprised to hear that proceedings are currently on a 10-day hiatus.

Just in case you have not been on social media for the last month, Depp is suing the Pineapple Express star for $50 million after she referred to herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse" in a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post.

Depp, 58, has repeatedly denied the allegations that he was physically violent toward his ex-wife.

Heard is countersuing for $100 million - claiming she was only ever violent against Depp in self-defense or defense of her younger sister, per NBC News.

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Credit: REUTERS / Alamy

However, after commencing in Fairfax, Virginia, on April 11, the trial is now on a break.

Judge Penney Azcarate informed both parties and the jury that there would have to be a short hiatus in the middle of the trial when it first kicked off last month.

Due to a scheduling conflict (the judge is attending a conference this week), there will be a short respite from legal proceedings in a trial that has had people all over the world glued to their screens.

So far, there have been allegations of abuse from both parties.

The court has heard Depp testify against his ex-wife. The Pirates of the Caribbean star spent an emotional few days on the witness stand, alleging how Heard cut off the tip of his finger, left feces in his bed, and got him dropped from several big-budget movie franchises with her allegations.

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Last week, it was Heard's turn to testify against Depp.

The 36-year-old Aquaman star broke down in tears multiple times on the witness stand as she testified for the jury how Depp allegedly beat her until she thought she was going to die. She also gave a harrowing account of an alleged incident of sexual assault.

Heard will continue her testimony on May 16, when court proceedings will resume an hour earlier than usual at 9:00AM.

The trial will continue to run Mondays through Thursdays, with the exception of Friday, May 27, when closing arguments will be made.

Featured Image Credit: Michael Melia / Alamy