The Real Reason Amber Heard Could End Up Behind Bars

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp separated in 2016, and at the time, the actress shocked the world by accusing the Pirates of the Caribbean actor of physical abuse. Since then, things have gotten messier and messier for the exes, and as it turns out, Heard could end up in prison.

An April 2020 report by the International Business Times reveals that the Aquaman actress could face up to three years behind bars if she's found guilty of manipulating evidence against Depp. This comes after he sued her for defamation over the abuse claims.

Though Heard filed a document of more than 300 pages — including photos of herself covered in scratches and bruises — when she initially accused Depp of abuse, new details suggest she may have faked some of that "evidence." In her lawsuit against Depp, Heard alleged that she suffered two black eyes the night before appearing on The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2015, but in a court document obtained by the Blast, Heard's stylist, Samantha McMillen, testified that the actress "did not have any visible marks, bruises, cuts, or injuries to her face or any other part of her body" at the time.

Evidence supplied by Amber Heard and Johnny Depp in their explosive legal war includes recordings of the former couple's violent fights, texts alluding to the physical violence, and post-fight photos of broken objects in their former home. In court documents, Heard has referred to Depp as a "monster."

While Heard has not blatantly denied that she was also violent with Depp during their marriage, she has long painted herself as a victim of his abuse and claimed that he beat her before and during their 18-month marriage (via USA Today). She even wrote an opinion piece in The Washington Post about the alleged abuse. 

In March 2019, Depp fired back by filing a civil lawsuit against his ex-wife, seeking $50 million and accusing her of defaming him. Two months later, in May 2019, he stated in his lawsuit that not only was Heard violent with him, but that once, "while mixing prescription amphetamines and non-prescription drugs with alcohol," she "hit, punched and kicked" him. He added: "She also repeatedly and frequently threw objects into my body and head, including heavy bottles, soda cans, burning candles, television remote controls and paint thinner cans, which severely injured me."

As evidence of Amber Heard's alleged abuse, Johnny Depp submitted photos of broken glass (which Heard allegedly threw at him one month after their wedding) and of himself with black eyes and scratches on his face and body — following an alleged attack by Heard (via USA Today).

Since then, people close to Depp have taken his side, including Vanessa Paradis, the mother of his children (whom he was with for 14 years). In a statement, the actress, musician, and model said: "I am aware of the allegations which Amber Heard has publicly accused Johnny of for more than 4 years now. This is nothing like the true Johnny I have known, and from my personal experience of many years, I can say he was never violent or abusive to me." She even called Heard a liar, according to the Blast, and said: "I have seen that these outrageous statements have been really distressing, and also caused damage to his career because unfortunately, people have gone on believing these false facts."

While it's no surprise that Johnny Depp's loved ones have defended him against the abuse allegations, some of Amber Heard's connections have taken his side as well. 

Laura Divenere, Heard's former interior decorator and friend, stated in a court document obtained by the Blast that she never saw any injuries on the actress (via Fox News). "On those days, I worked with Amber, retrieved packages for her, rode elevators with her, and saw her up close and in person. On none of those days immediately following the abuse claims did I observe any signs of physical abuse or injury, including redness, swelling, cuts, bruising, or damage of any kind. I never saw Amber injured in any way, although I am now aware that she has had many different abuse claims," Divenere said. 

Depp's legal team alleged in his defamation lawsuit that Heard painted on her bruises to look like a victim and to get a temporary restraining order from him (via the International Business Times). 

It's unclear how things will go down now, as both actors continue to maintain their innocence, but we'll be sure to keep you up to date.