Johnny Depp's Body Language During Amber Heard's Testimony Is Branded 'Concerning'

Warning: This article might be distressing for some readers.

As Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's defamation trial continues in Virginia, a lawyer has noted what she calls a 'concerning' feature of Depp's body language.

You can watch a clip here:

Lawyer and host of Court TV, Julie Grant, spoke to Good Morning Britain earlier this month about Amber's testimony so far, and described her ex-husband's behaviour as "concerning."

She said: "I thought Amber Heard testified as well as she could. [Johnny] looking down most of the time was concerning. Sometimes it can be effective to look like you're not paying attention to a jury. That's a trial advocacy trick."

"But to do it for such a prolonged period of time on Wednesday, that to me was a problem. I'm mindful that these two are actors. It's really hard to know what is authentic and what is an act."

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On week four of the high profile trial, Amber began to detail her alleged experience of the relationship she shared with Depp, as well as the abuse that she reportedly suffered.

Compared to Johnny's time on the stand, during which Amber watched him intently from her seat, Amber's testimony time has seen the Pirates of the Caribbean star seemingly shrinking in his seat and avoiding eye contact.

Speaking on the stand, Amber told the court about the first time Depp allegedly slapped her, stating: "I will never forget it, it changed my life."

"I was sitting on the couch, we were having a normal conversion, there was no fighting, no nothing. He was drinking and I didn't realise at the time, but I think he was using cocaine, he had a jar of cocaine.

"I asked him about the tattoo he has on his arm, it looked like black marks, I didn't know what it said... and I asked him what it said. He said 'Wino'... I laughed because I thought he was joking, and he slapped me across the face..."

"And I laughed because I thought 'this must be a joke'. I didn't know what was going on."

She continued: "I just stared at him, kind of laughing, still thinking he was going to start laughing and was going to tell me it was a joke. He said: 'You think it's funny?'...

"It was clear it wasn't a joke anymore. I stopped laughing but I didn't know what else to do."

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Across social media, spectators are largely divided over what Depp's body language could mean. While some argue that his decision to avoid eye contact is a tactic, others are convinced it's victim behaviour.

The ongoing trial is expected to wrap close around Thursday 19th May, although it could be days before a jury come to a unanimous decision.

Depp 58, is suing Heard, 35, for libel over a 2018 article in The Washington Post.

Depp’s legal team say the article implies Heard was physically and sexually abused by Depp when they were married, although the article does not mention him by name.

Heard's legal team believe she is covered by the first amendment of the US constitution which protects freedom of speech.