The New York Post reports the US actor, 58, is “taking time to rest” overseas while his defamation trial against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, takes a brief hiatus in Virginia. “Johnny is in Europe taking some time out to rest for a few days, hang out with old friends, playing music, and is taking long walks in the countryside,” a source told the outlet.The case has become a media circus for the couple, with their explosive testimonies making headlines around the world.Heard, 36, was the most recent to testify, alleging Depp was physically abusive. However, Depp denies the claims, saying it was his ex that was abusive toward him.Depp is trying to prove to a jury that the actress defamed him in a 2018 op-ed she penned for the Washington Post that alleged she was the victim of domestic and emotional abuse without specifically naming the Pirates of the Caribbean star.Depp’s case is no easy feat for his legal team, according to a leading entertainment lawyer.Daniel Gutenplan, who has represented clients on both sides of high-profile defamation cases, contends Depp still has an “uphill battle” to win his case and secure the $70 million judgment he is seeking.“As most defamation plaintiffs have, Depp and his team have an uphill battle and have a challenge in proving the case because they have to prove, first of all, that anything that was said [in the op-ed and Heard’s testimony] is completely false,” the media, entertainment and IP lawyer told Fox News Digital.“The Washington Post piece in question, of course, doesn’t mention Mr. Depp by name, although, his camp will argue — and I think it’s a compelling argument — that a reasonable reader will assume that the article was written about Mr. Depp. “But of course, it doesn’t just not mention him. It also does not mention any specific instances of abuse or events. So it doesn’t say, ‘On this date, at this time or at this place, this thing happened. He did this to me.’ It just generally references being a victim of abuse,” the lawyer added.A cross-examination of Heard’s claims will start when court reconvenes May 16.This story originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permissionDomestic Violence helplines
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