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Heard Friend Jennifer Howell Expected To Testify For Johnny Depp, Blow Up Sisters’ ‘Staircase Incident’

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Actor Amber Heard testifies about the first time she says her ex-husband, actor Johnny Depp hit her, at Fairfax County Circuit Court during a defamation case against her by Depp in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 4, 2022.
ELIZABETH FRANTZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

A witness expected to testify this week on behalf of actor Johnny Depp in his defamation suit against his ex-wife Amber Heard has allegedly claimed Heard’s sister told her the actress was “extremely violent” and might kill the actor, but it was unclear if the bombshell claim would be admitted into evidence.

Jennifer Howell was a close friend and former boss to Whitney Heard Henriquez, Heard’s younger sister. Whitney confirmed on the stand last week that she lived with Howell for at least six months and referred to Howell as her “chosen sister.”

“CONFIRMED: Jennifer Howell will testify in #JohnnyDepp’s rebuttal case next week and will dispute some of #WhitneyHenriquez’s testimony, specifically about the ‘staircase incident,'” reported Court TV’s legal correspondent Chanley Shá Painter.

Whitney testified last week that Depp repeatedly smacked her sister Amber in the face during an alleged 2015 incident in the couple’s penthouse.

“He called her a ‘used-up trash bag,’ she called him ‘old and fat,'” Whitney recalled of the alleged incident. Then, Depp allegedly hit Whitney in the back, sparking Amber to “land one” on the actor, Whitney said. In response, Depp allegedly repeatedly smacked Amber in the face, the sister added.

In a follow-up post, Painter outlined what the jury knows about Howell thus far:

-Founder of the Art of Elysium

Whitney moved in w/her in May 2015 after allegedly fighting with #AmberHeard BUT

-Whitney said it was b/c #JohnnyDepp had accused her of leaking stories

-Whitney called Howell “chosen sister”

A Court TV report added, “Howell maintains Whitney told her a much different version of the infamous staircase incident.”

Law&Crime reporter Angenette Levy noted that Whitney on cross-examination last week was asked about her relationship with Howell, adding that Howell “disputes [Whitney Heard’s] account.”

“On cross: Whitney Heard is asked by #JohnnyDepp’s lawyer about her relationship with Jennifer Howell. A friend of hers. Howell disputes WH account #AmberHeard,” she wrote, attaching an alleged declaration from Howell. 

The alleged 2020 declaration posted by Levy included an account of the aftermath of the alleged 2015 “staircase” incident.

Notably, a report from Newsweek calls into question the authenticity of the declaration.

“Although some versions of the document bear a Fairfax County Government letterhead, it has not been admitted as a piece of evidence in the trial,” the report said. “Heard’s lawyers have argued that it was falsely procured and passed off as evidence to mislead the public. The document’s claims have not been verified and the declaration has not been admitted as trial evidence.”

In the alleged declaration, Howell said Whitney “was a mess” when she arrived at her home.

“Whitney told me she tried to stop her sister Amber from hitting and attacking Johnny on the stairs,” the document continued. “Whitney said when she tried to intervene to stop Amber from going after Johnny, Amber nearly pushed Whitney down the stairs. She told me she was worried Amber ‘was going to kill Johnny.'”

Howell claimed Whitney told her Amber was “extremely violent.” 

“My father reminded me this morning that I told him that ‘Whitney had moved in with me because she was terrified of her sister,'” the document said.

“Whitney said to me on multiple occasions that she did not know why he (Depp) was staying in the relationship, nor why he was putting up with Amber’s abuse,” it added.

Related: WATCH: Amber Heard Sobs Uncontrollably On Stand Recalling Depp Allegedly Beating, Penetrating Her With Bottle

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