On Monday (May 16), Amber Heard testified on the witness stand during the defamation trial that she and ex-husband Johnny Depp agreed on a code word to put an end to recurring heated arguments.
“Couch” as a code word
Heard testified that the word “couch” was used as a safe-word in her arguments and discussions with Depp. She went on to say the two began recording their conversations to resolve their communication issues. In addition, she confirmed again during her statement that Depp hit her.
Previously, the jury repeatedly heard the supposed safety word on audio recordings. In an audio recording, Heard was heard saying, “I want the couch. By the way, you just threw a damn cigarette at me.” When questioned by her attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, Heard then said they used the word “couch” as a safe word to signal a truce.
constant violence
In the course of her testimony, Amber Heard noted that at some point the violence was almost commonplace. She also added that she dealt with different versions of Johnny Depp during her marriage. It could even happen that Depp couldn’t remember certain episodes:
“I had to constantly juggle which version of Johnny I was dealing with. They sometimes didn’t even remember what the other version was doing or saying.”
More on the trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard
Johnny Depp previously gave a different explanation for the word’s use. When asked what the exchange meant, Depp replied, “It’s pretty clear she’s calling me to the couch.”