Depp says Herd slandered him when he wrote an article in the Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” Depp is never mentioned by name, but says the article still involves him because it refers to previous accusations made by Herd when he asked for a restraining order against him. Depp denies the allegations of abuse. A seven-member political committee, plus four alternates, was selected Monday to hear the case in Fairfax County District Court. Herd’s lawyers had asked for the case to be heard in California, where the actors live. However, a judge ruled that Depp had the right to sue Virginia because the Washington Post’s computer servers were located in the county. The trial is expected to last more than a month. A long list of witnesses includes actors Paul Bettany and James Franco and tech businessman Elon Musk. Some witnesses are scheduled to appear in person, while others are scheduled to appear via video link.
