Depp, 58, is suing Heard, 35, for $50 million US in a Virginia court after she accused him of abuse. He has argued that Heard was the one who became violent in the relationship.

Starting their cross-examination of Depp, Heard’s attorneys read text messages that Depp sent in 2015 near the start of their roughly two-year marriage.

“We’ve been perfect. All I had to do was send the monster away and lock him up, we’ve been happier than ever,” he texted to a former security guard.

“Amber and I have been absolutely perfect … I have locked my monster child away in a cage deep within and it has f—–g worked,” Depp said in a text to one of his doctors.

Depp said Heard used the word monster to describe when she thought he was using drugs or alcohol, though he said her perception was not always accurate.

Depp used disturbing language in texts referring to Heard

In other texts to friends or associates, Depp referred to Heard as a “filthy whore,” and other names.

Writing to actor Paul Bettany in 2013, Depp made comments about drowning and burning Heard, and then having sex with her dead body.

Depp apologized to Heard in a text in 2014, saying he was a “savage” and “went too far.”

On Wednesday, Depp told a Virginia jury that Heard would “strike out” with a slap or shove. During one argument, Heard threw a vodka bottle at Depp’s hand, cutting off the top of his right middle finger, he said. Another time, Heard repeatedly punched him, he said.

WATCH | The Depp-Heard defamation trial began last week:

Opening statements begin Tuesday in a $50 million US defamation lawsuit brought by actor Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp says she defamed him in a 2018 newspaper opinion piece about domestic abuse. Depp was not named in the article. 3:35

In a separate legal case in Britain, Heard denied throwing a bottle and severing Depp’s finger. She said she threw things only to escape when he was beating her, and once punched him because she feared he would push her sister down the stairs.

Depp said he never struck Heard or any woman. He has accused Heard, also an actor, of defaming him when she penned a December 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse.

The article never mentioned Depp by name, but his lawyer told jurors it was clear Heard was referencing the Hollywood leading man.

Depp said Heard’s allegations cost him “nothing less than everything.” A new Pirates movie was put on hold, and Depp was dropped from the Fantastic Beasts film franchise, a Harry Potter spinoff.

Attorneys for Heard have argued that she told the truth and that her opinion was protected free speech under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. In opening arguments, Heard’s attorneys said Depp physically and sexually assaulted her while abusing drugs and alcohol.

Actor lost libel case against British tabloid in 2020

A state court judge in Fairfax County, Virginia, is overseeing the trial, which is in its second week and is expected to last six weeks.

Less than two years ago, Depp lost a libel case against The Sun, a British tabloid that labelled him a “wife beater.” A London High Court judge ruled he had repeatedly assaulted Heard.

Depp’s lawyers have said they filed the U.S. case in Fairfax County, outside the nation’s capital, because the Washington Post is printed there. The newspaper is not a defendant.

Heard, known for roles in Aquaman and Justice League, and Depp were married for roughly two years. Their divorce was finalized in 2017.

Heard has brought her own libel claim against Depp, saying he smeared her by calling her a liar. Heard’s counterclaim, seeking $100 million US, will be decided as part of the trial.

“Never did I myself reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way, nor have I ever struck any woman in my life,” said Depp, who wore a dark suit with his hair in a ponytail.

“I felt it my responsibility to stand up not only for myself in that instance but stand up for my children,” Depp said. His two children from a previous relationship were in high school at the time, he said.

“It’s very strange when one day you’re Cinderella so to speak, and then in 0.6 seconds you’re Quasimodo,” Depp added.

Article never mentioned Depp by name

Depp, 58, alleges Heard, 35, defamed him when she penned a December 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse. He filed a $50-million lawsuit against Heard in 2018.

The article never mentioned Depp by name, but Depp lawyer Benjamin Chew told jurors a week ago that it was clear Heard was referencing the Hollywood leading man.

Lawyers for Heard have argued she told the truth and that her opinion was protected as free speech under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

A state court judge in Fairfax County, Va., is overseeing the trial, which is in its second week and is expected to last for six weeks.

Witnesses called by Depp’s lawyers have included friends of the Pirates of the Caribbean star and a doctor and a nurse who said they treated him for substance abuse. The witnesses testified that they were aware of arguments between the couple but had not witnessed physical abuse by Depp toward Heard.

“Their arguments were a trigger for him emotionally,” Debbie Lloyd, who worked as a nurse for Depp when he was engaged to Heard, said in a videotaped March 8 deposition that was played for the jury on Monday. “They would cause him to be upset, add stress.”

When asked by a lawyer for Depp if she was aware that any of the arguments between Depp and Heard became physical, Lloyd replied, “No.”

On the heels of U.K. trial

Less than two years ago, Depp lost a libel case against The Sun, a British tabloid that labelled him a “wife beater.” A London High Court judge ruled he had repeatedly assaulted Heard and put her in fear for her life.

In the U.S. case, Depp and Heard both submitted long lists of potential witnesses they could put on the stand.

Heard’s list includes her ex-boyfriend and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, with whom she texted about Depp. Also on the list of potential witnesses is actor James Franco.

The Washington Post is not a defendant in the case. Depp’s lawyers have said they filed the case in Fairfax County, outside the District of Columbia, because the newspaper is printed at a facility there.

The United States is a difficult forum for libel plaintiffs, especially public figures like Depp, who must prove by clear and convincing evidence that Heard knowingly made false claims.

Heard seeks $100M in damages from Depp 

Depp and Heard met while making 2011 film The Rum Diary and married four years later. Heard accused Depp of domestic abuse after filing for divorce in 2016.

Heard, known for roles in Aquaman and Justice League, has brought her own libel claim against Depp, saying he smeared her by calling her a liar.

Heard’s counterclaim will be decided as part of the trial. Heard is seeking $100 million in damages from Depp, according to court papers.

Following the November 2020 ruling in the London libel trial, Depp was replaced with Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen in the third film in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, a spinoff from the Harry Potter books and films.