By Lisa Richwine

(Reuters) – Johnny Depp’s ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, will question him Thursday. He was accused by the star of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” of making false claims that ruined his career and reputation.

Depp, now aged 58, has sued Heard, 35 for $50 millions after she claimed he was abusing her.

Depp, who testified under oath Wednesday before a Virginia jury, said that Heard had become violent and “strike out.”

Heard said that he threw one vodka bottle at Depp during an argument and cut off his right middle finger. He said that Heard had also repeatedly punched Depp.

“She needs violence. Depp stated, “It erupts in the middle of nothing.”

Heard denied punching Depp and throwing a glass at him in the same legal case. According to her, she was throwing things in order to escape from him when he beat her and punched him once because she worried he might push her sister down steps.

Depp claimed that he had never struck Heard, or any other woman. He also accused Heard (an actor) of defaming his character when she wrote a Washington Post opinion piece about her being a victim of domestic abuse in December 2018.

Although Depp was not mentioned in the article, his lawyer stated that he was clearly referring to him.

Depp claimed that Heard’s accusations cost him nothing less than his life. Depp was relegated to the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise and put on hold a new movie about “Pirates”.

He said, “When the accusations were made, we were quickly circling around the globe telling people that I was a drunken cocaine-fueled menace who beat girls – suddenly, in my 50s–it’s over.” I will continue to carry it for all my life.”

Heard’s attorneys argued that Depp told the truth, and her opinions were protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Heard’s lawyers stated that Depp had physically and sexually assaulted them while she was using drugs and alcohol.

Fairfax County’s state judge is leading the trial. The trial has just entered its second week. It should last at least six weeks.

Depp was a victim of a libel suit against The Sun in London, which, less than two years before, called him a “wife-beater”. Heard had been repeatedly attacked by Depp, a judge at the London High Court ruled.

Depp’s attorneys claim that they filed the U.S. lawsuit in Fairfax County outside of Washington DC because there is a Washington Post newspaper. It is not an accused newspaper.

Depp and Heard, who are well-known for their roles as Aquaman and Justice League characters respectively, were married approximately for two years. They divorced in 2017.

Heard filed her own libel case against Depp. She claimed that Depp smeared and called her a fool. Heard’s counterclaim for $100 million will also be considered as part of this trial.