After ANOTHER embarrassing and unsuccessful attempt to get the case dismissed, the Judge instead agrees to delay.
The trial for actor Johnny Depp’s defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard could stretch out over the better part of a month – but not until May 2021, more than two years after the lawsuit was filed, a Virginia judge ruled Friday.
The trial was set for Jan. 11, which coincides with the filming schedule for another installment of the “Fantastic Beasts” series in which Depp will star, prompting his lawyers to request a continuance last month. But Heard, an actress who will also film an “Aquaman” sequel sometime next year, objected to the delay.
Judge Bruce White made clear in a hearing Friday that his decision to push the trial start date to May 3 had nothing to do with the actors’ schedules, but with the backlog of court cases caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
After unsuccessful attempts to have the case dismissed, Heard filed her counterclaim Aug. 10 charging that Depp “orchestrated a false and defamatory smear campaign” accusing her of being a liar, hoax artist and perjurer.