A jury in the US state of Virginia has resumed deliberations in Johnny Depp’s libel trial against ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp, the 58-year-old “Pirates of the Caribbean” star, sued Heard for $50 million and argued that she defamed him when she called herself “a public figure representing domestic abuse” in a newspaper opinion piece.

Heard, 36, countersued for $100 million, saying Depp smeared her when his lawyer called her accusations a “hoax.”

The seven-person jury deliberated for about two hours Friday before adjourning for the US Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Depp has denied hitting Heard or any woman and said she was the one who turned violent in their relationship.

Johnny Depp v Amber Heard defamation lawsuit in Virginia (2022) 1 /45 Johnny Depp v Amber Heard defamation lawsuit in Virginia (2022) AP POOL/AFP via Getty Images AP POOL/AFP via Getty Images Fairfax County Court . POOL/AFP via Getty Images POOL/AFP via Getty Images POOL/AFP via Getty Images POOL/AFP via Getty Images Fairfax County Court Fairfax County Court Amber Heard was tearful in court (Elizabeth Frantz/AP) AP Actor Johnny Depp walks during his defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on April 27, 2022. POOL/AFP via Getty Images Actor Johnny Depp greets his legal team as he arrives in the courtroom AP Actor Amber Heard speaks to a member of her legal team after a recess amid her ex-husband Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against her POOL/AFP via Getty Images Actor Amber Heard appears in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., Thursday, April 28, 2022. AP Amber Heard took to the stand on Wednesday REUTERS Johnny Depp demonstrates what he claims was an alleged attack by his ex-wife Amber Heard as he testifies during his defamation trial against Heard, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse POOL/AFP via Getty Images Amber Heard speaks with her legal team in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court AP Amber Heard filming Johnny Depp smashing kitchen cupboards Handout Amber Heard looks on at the end of the second day of her ex-husband Johnny Depp’s testimony during his defamation trial against her, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse POOL/AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp is seen laying in a hospital after his finger was injured while he and his ex-wife Amber Heard were in Australia in March 2015, in this evidence photograph that was displayed as Depp testified during his defamation trial against Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse REUTERS Johnny Depp testifies at the Fairfax County Circuit Court AP Amber Heard arrives in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court AP Amber Heard attends her ex-husband Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against her, as a picture of an injury to his face is seen on a screen, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse REUTERS A knife with an inscription “from Amber Heard to Johnny Depp” on the blade is seen during Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse POOL/AFP via Getty Images Evidence appears on a monitor in the courtroom during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court REUTERS Amber Heard listens in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court AP Evidence appears on a monitor in the courtroom during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court REUTERS Amber Heard is embraced as she arrives at the start of the day during the 50 million US dollar Depp vs Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court REUTERS Johnny Depp demonstrates how he claims he shielded himself from an alleged attack by his ex-wife Amber Heard as he testifies during his defamation trial against Heard POOL/AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp displays the middle finger of his hand, injured while he and his ex-wife Amber Heard were in Australia in 2015 AP Johnny Depp holds up his bandaged finger, injured while he and his ex-wife Amber Heard were in Australia in March 2015, in this evidence photograph that was displayed as Depp testified during his defamation trial against Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse REUTERS

At the centre of the legal case is the December 2018 opinion piece by Heard in the Washington Post, in which she made the statement about domestic abuse. The article did not mention Depp by name, but his lawyer told jurors it was clear that Heard was referring to him.

Heard’s attorneys argued that she had told the truth and that her comments were covered as free speech under the US Constitution’s First Amendment.

Depp and Heard met in 2011 while filming The Rum Diary and wed in February 2015. Their divorce was finalised about two years later.

Over six weeks of proceedings, jurors listened to recordings of the couple’s fights and saw graphic photos of Depp’s bloody finger. He said the top of the finger was severed when Heard threw a vodka bottle at him in 2015.

Heard denied injuring Depp’s finger and said Depp sexually assaulted her that night with a liquor bottle. She said she struck him only to defend herself or her sister.

Testimony was livestreamed widely on social media, drawing large audiences to hear details about the couple’s troubled relationship.

Once among Hollywood’s biggest stars, Depp said Heard’s allegations cost him “everything.” A new “Pirates” movie was put on hold, and Depp was replaced in the Fantastic Beasts film franchise, a Harry Potter spinoff.

Depp lost a libel case less than two years ago against The Sun, which labeled him a “wife beater.” A UK High Court judge ruled that he had repeatedly assaulted Heard.

Depp’s lawyers filed the US case in Fairfax County, Virginia, because the Washington Post is printed there. The newspaper is not a defendant.

As the verdict loomed, Depp appeared on stage alongside Jeff Beck in the UK for the second night in a row.

The actor appeared at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday night after performing with Beck at Sheffield City Hall on Sunday.