WASHINGTON — After weeks of explosive testimony, the jury is finally deliberating in the defamation case between actors Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Depp filed suit against Heard over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018 in which she described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse."
Heard did not name Depp in the piece, but he sued her for implying he was a domestic abuser and is seeking $50 million in damages.
Heard countersued for $100 million, claiming she suffered "rampant physical violence and abuse."
Here are some of the key talking points from the blockbuster trial.
The severed fingertip
Actor Johnny Depp's finger, injured while he and his ex-wife Amber Heard were in Australia in 2015, is seen on the screen as he testifies during his defamation trial against Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, April 20, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
Hours of testimony during the six-week trial were devoted to a grisly incident in March 2015 in Australia, where Depp was filming the fifth installment of "Pirates of the Caribbean."
The tip of Depp's right-hand middle finger was severed during a heated argument with Heard at their rented home.
Depp said it occurred when Heard threw a vodka bottle at him.
Heard said she did not know how it happened but it may have been when he smashed a wall-mounted phone.
Both agreed though that Depp used his bloody digit to scrawl cryptic messages on walls, lampshades and mirrors in the home.
Actor Johnny Depp displays the middle finger of his hand, injured while he and his ex-wife Amber Heard were in Australia in 2015, as he testifies during his defamation trial against Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, April 20, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
Poop on the bed
Among many bizarre incidents cited during the trial was a story about feces deposited one day on Depp's side of the couple's bed.
Depp said he was shown a photograph of "human fecal matter" on the bed after he and Heard argued during her 30th birthday party.
Heard tried to blame it on their dogs, Depp said, but "they're teacup Yorkies, they weigh about four pounds each."
Heard said the dog had bowel problems after eating some of Depp's marijuana as a puppy.
As for the dogs, Heard accused Depp of once holding one of them out of the window of a moving car while "howling like an animal."
The dog was unhurt.
The witnesses
Richard Marks, a technical forensics expert, is sworn in before he testifies in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 2, 2022.
AFP/Steve Helber
Whitney Henriquez, sister of Actor Amber Heard, testifies on the stand during Johnny Depp's defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, on May 18, 2022.
AFP/Kevin Lamarque
Disney Executive Tina Newman appears on a monitor in a February 2022 recorded deposition played during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 19, 2022.
AFP/Shawn Thew
Kate James, Amber Heard's former assistant, testifies via video during the 50 million US dollars Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on April 14, 2022.
AFP/Shawn Thew
Dr. Richard Gilbert, an orthopedic surgeon, testifies at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 26, 2022.
AFP/Michael Reynolds
Both sides presented multiple witnesses although rumored testimony by billionaire Elon Musk, Heard's ex-boyfriend, and her co-star James Franco ultimately did not materialize.
But there were celebrity appearances.
Kate Moss, Depp's former girlfriend, shot down a longstanding rumor he had once thrown the British model down a flight of stairs.
Moss said by videolink that it never happened.
Actor Johnny Depp listens as his former girlfriend, Model Kate Moss testifies via video link during Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 25, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
Related: Kate Moss testifies for ex Johnny Depp: 'He never pushed me, kicked me or threw me down any stairs'
Actress Ellen Barkin, another ex-girlfriend, testified Depp was jealous, controlling, and drunk "a lot of the time," and once threw a wine bottle in a hotel room.
Other witnesses included bodyguards, agents, business managers, psychiatrists, doctors, friends, relatives, and even the former doorman of the luxury penthouse complex where the couple once lived in Los Angeles.
Doorman Alejandro Romero probably spoke for many involved in the case when he said: "I am so stressed out. I don't want to deal with this anymore."
Beverly R. Leonard, a worker of the airport, testifies via video link during US actor Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 25, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
Bryan Neumeister, a forensic and metadata specialist testifies in the courtroom during actor Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 25, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
Morgan Tremaine, a former employee of the news organization TMZ, testifies in the courtroom during actor Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 25, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
Dr. David Kulber testifies at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 24, 2022.
AFP/Jim Watson
Dr. Richard Moore, Jr., testifies in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 23, 2022
AFP/Steve Helber
A screen shows a previously recorded video deposition by Actor Amber Heard's make-up artist, Melanie Inglessis, during Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, May 18, 2022.
AFP/Kevin Lamarque
Actor Johnny Depp listens to a previously recorded video deposition by Elizabeth Marz during his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 18, 2022.
AFP/Kevin Lamarque
Raquel Pennington testifies during a previously recorded video deposition next to an evidence picture depicting alleged injuries to Amber Heard's scalp during Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 18, 2022.
AFP/Kevin Lamarque
Erin Falati, a former nurse of Amber Heard (L), speaks via video conference in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 3, 2022.
AFP/Jim Watson
Travis McGivern, security for Johnny Depp, is seen on a monitor as he testifies remotely in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 2, 2022.
AFP/Steve Helber
The evidence
Evidence showing a picture of US actress Amber Heard appears on a screen during a defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 17, 2022.
AFP/Brendan Smialowski
A photograph appearas on a monitor during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia on May 26, 2022.
AFP/Michael Reynolds
Audio and video recordings of heated, profanity-laced arguments between Depp and Heard were also entered into evidence.
In one video recorded by Heard in their kitchen, Depp is seen shouting, smashing glass cabinets and pouring himself an enormous glass of red wine.
Both Depp and Heard submitted photos of injuries they claimed were inflicted by the other.
A photograph appearas on a monitor during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia on May 26, 2022. Actor Johnny Depp is suing ex-wife Amber Heard for libel after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse.”
AFP/Michael Reynolds
A picture of actor Amber Heard is seen on a screen during actor Johnny Depp's defamation trial against her, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 25, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
Actor Johnny Depp is reflected on a monitor displaying a picture of Actor Amber Heard during Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 25, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
A picture introduced into evidence of actor Johnny Depp and his ex-wife actor Amber Heard with the staff of the Orient Express train taken at the end of their honeymoon trip in Singapore after their wedding in 2015, is displayed on the screens during Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 25, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
Heard's lawyers also presented photos purporting to show Depp passed out after drinking excessively or using drugs.
A photograph appearas on a monitor during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia on May 26, 2022.
AFP/Michael Reynolds
Text messages between Depp and various people were displayed in which he described in crude and violent language what he would like to see happen to Heard.
Depp's lawyers downplayed the texts, saying he just had a colorful way of writing, similar to that of his late friend, the journalist Hunter S. Thompson.
Evidence showing text messages from Morgan Higby Night, a writer, director and producer, appear on a screen during a defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 24, 2022.
AFP/Jim Watson
Evidence showing text messages between US actress Amber Heard and US actor Johnny Depp appear on a screen during a defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 17, 2022.
AFP/Brendan Smialowski
Evidence showing text messages between US actress Amber Heard and US actor Johnny Depp appear on a screen during a defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 17, 2022.
AFP/Brendan Smialowski
Evidence showing text messages between US actress Amber Heard and US actor Johnny Depp appear on a screen during a defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 17, 2022.
AFP/Brendan Smialowski
Evidence showing notes from US actress Amber Heard appear on a screen during a defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 17, 2022.
AFP/Brendan Smialowski
A Fairfax County Deputy Sheriff officer holds a knife that actor Amber Heard gifted to actor Johnny Depp in 2012 in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, May 17, 2022.
AFP/Brendan Smialowski
Evidence appears on a monitor during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on April 28, 2022.
AFP/Michael Reynolds
Actress Amber Heard listens to her ex-husband Johnny Depp, as a picture of an injury to his face is seen on a screen, during his defamation trial against her at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, April 20, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
A knife with an inscription "from Amber Heard to Johnny Depp" on the blade is seen during Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, April 20, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
Actor Johnny Depp testifies, as an article seen on a screen is entered into evidence, during the defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, April 20, 2022.
AFP/Evelyn Hockstein
The Depp fans
Fans of Depp queued up for hours daily to secure coveted seats in the public gallery for the trial held in Fairfax, Virginia.
While the spectators mostly behaved themselves, Judge Penney Azcarate threatened to expel them at one point during Heard's testimony.
"If I hear one more sound, I will clear the gallery and we will continue this testimony without anybody in the courtroom," Azcarate warned. "Understood?"
Depp fans also waged a massive campaign on social media in support of the actor with the hashtag #JusticeForJohnnyDepp.
Heard said she had received thousands of death threats. "People want to kill me and they tell me so every day," she said.
The trial has also been closely followed online by millions of people tuning in to YouTube livestreams of proceedings. Many of them generated memes or animated GIFs in real-time, often either lauding Depp or ridiculing Heard.
Damaged Hollywood careers
Douglas Bania, licensing and damages expert, testifies in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 2, 2022.
AFP/Steve Helber
Both Depp, a three-time Oscar nominee, and Heard claimed their careers have been damaged.
Heard, who starred in "Aquaman," one of the top-grossing films ever, said she had to fight to retain a role in "Aquaman 2" and Depp tried to get Warner Brothers to cut her from the sequel.
Heard's legal team presented an entertainment industry expert who estimated she has suffered $45-50 million in lost film and TV roles and endorsements.
An industry expert hired by Depp's side said he has lost millions because of the abuse accusations, including a $22.5 million payday for a sixth "Pirates" installment.
Jack Whigham, talent manager for US actor Johnny Depp, is seen on a monitor as he testifies remotely in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virgnia, on Monday May 2, 2022.
AFP/Steve Helber
But Tracey Jacobs, Depp's former agent, said there never was a formal agreement for another "Pirates" film.
Jacobs also said the actor's star had begun to dim since 2010 because of "unprofessional behavior" which included drinking and drug use.
US actor Johnny Depp's former talent agent Tracey Jacobs appears on a monitor during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 19, 2022.
AFP/Shawn Thew
