By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. Defamation Trial for Johnny Depp and Amber Heard begins Monday. Heard is accused of domestic abuse.

Depp (58) has filed a lawsuit against Heard for $50 Million, alleging that she defamed Him when she wrote a Washington Post 2018 opinion piece about her experience as a victim of domestic abuse.

Although Depp was not mentioned in the op-ed, his lawyers stated that Heard clearly referred to him and that it had damaged his career and reputation.

Depp denied any allegations of abuse and stated in his lawsuit, that Heard’s claims are an elaborate hoax meant to create positive publicity for Miss Heard as well as advance her career.

In the case, jury selection will start Monday.

Depp asks the Fairfax County jurors to determine that Heard made false statements.

Heard for her part will claim that she is protected, or “immune”, from liability as her 2018 opinion piece on domestic violence addressed a concern of the public.

“I never named him. Instead, I spoke out about the costs women face for criticizing men at power. Heard released a statement on Saturday, saying that he continues to pay the cost, and that he hopes when this case is over, he can move forward with Johnny.”

The Washington Post does not stand trial.

The U.S. trial comes less than two years after Depp lost a libel case against The Sun, a British tabloid that labeled him a “wife beater.” Heard was repeatedly assaulted by Depp and placed her in danger for her safety, according to a London High Court judge.

It is not an easy place for plaintiffs of libel, particularly those from public positions like Depp. There are many obstacles in Depp’s Virginia case. Depp must show that Heard knew of the false claims.

English defamation law states that the defendant must prove the claims.

Depp and Heard met while making “The Rum Diary” in 2011 and married four years later. Heard claimed that Depp had been a victim to domestic abuse when he filed for divorce in 2016.

Depp was a Hollywood superstar in the 1990s thanks to his portrayals as outsiders or loners, in such cult classics like John Waters’ (NYSE:) “Cry-Baby”, and Tim Burton’s “Edward Scissorhands”.

With the Disney series “Pirates of the Caribbean”, he became an iconic character playing Jack Sparrow, a fan favorite.

Heard (35), is well-known for her roles as Aquaman and Justice League. Depp was accused of smearing her and calling her a lieur. She brought her own lawsuit against her.

Heard’s counterclaim is to be considered as part of the trial. This could take up to six weeks. Court papers state that Heard wants $100 million from Depp.

In her evidence to the London High Court, Heard said Depp would turn into a jealous alter ego, “the monster”, after binging on drugs and alcohol and had threatened to kill her.

When she claimed that the actor had choked, punched and slapped her head, head-butted, throttled, kicked or choked her 14 times, she detailed them all. These accounts were confirmed by the London judge who accepted 12 of them.

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 spin-off from the “Harry Potter” books and films.