Johnny Depp’s smoking in court premises during Amber Heard trial unlikely to cause another international uproar
An awkward video showing a dismal Amber Heard and Johnny Depp apologising for disrespecting Australia’s strict bio-security laws has gone viral. The video allowed Heard to walk away free from all charges from a Southport court. However, Hollywood hotshot Depp has flouted yet another rule and that’s Australia’s very-strict anti-smoking law.
According to reports, as Heard’s trial was in progress, Depp asked where he could smoke. A Department of Justice spokesman said that a member of the courthouse staff authorised Depp to smoke on a courthouse balcony.
“This was at the request of Mr Depp's security personnel who were concerned for his welfare should he leave the building, due to the extraordinary public interest in today's proceedings,” the spokesman said.
He added that the courthouse staff will be reminded of their obligations and that the situation is being reviewed. However, no further action will be taken against Depp as he acted in “good faith.”
Although Queensland’s laws does not allow smoking in government buildings and public places, the permission Depp received from the court staffer means it would not become an international incident, reports Brisbane Times.
Depp was found smoking on an upper-level balcony of the court as he was chatting with wife Heard and long-time bodyguard Jerry Judge. Depp then made his way back to Court 10, signing an autograph for a lucky fan. The final decision by the jury decided to free Heard of all charges along with a $1000 good behaviour bond.
The dog smuggling controversy started last year when then-Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce (now deputy prime minister of Australia) lashed out at Heard and threatened to euthanise the dogs lest they spread diseases. He alleged that the celebrity couple smuggled the dogs in a private jet to Queensland in May without undergoing quarantine and through falsifying documents. Heard took the dogs back to the US shortly afterward.
