Depp v. Heard — Trial Archive
Person Sean Bett Depp v. Heard← All People
Witness

Sean Bett

Courtroom still of Sean Bett.

Johnny Depp’s lead U.S. security guard, who testified about injuries he photographed and a penthouse confrontation.

2022 Defamation Trial Apr 11 – Jun 1, 2022
Called by plaintiff
348 lines 3 proceedings 9 highlights

About

A former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, Bett worked as Depp’s lead U.S. security guard. He testified that he photographed marks on Depp’s face in March and December 2015 and described arguments he encountered between Depp and Heard. He said he had never observed injuries on Heard.

Bett said that when he arrived at the penthouse on May 21, 2016, Heard was screaming with her hands raised, but he saw no facial injury. Raquel Pennington, who was also present, later described Depp standing over her and Heard while yelling. She said she did not see Depp touch or throw anything at Heard.

Questioning tested the limits of Bett’s account. He had not been present for incidents in Australia, the Bahamas or Tokyo. Depp’s 2017 text about heavy drinking and Bett’s earlier deposition statement about whether he had seen Heard act violently were put to him on cross-examination. Surveillance footage placed Bett and Depp at the building for about 90 minutes, rather than the 30 to 40 minutes Bett had estimated. On redirect, Bett said Depp had not appeared intoxicated to him on May 21 and that the facial marks he had photographed were the basis for his concern about Depp’s safety.

Trial Record (3)

2022 Defamation Trial Apr 11, 2022 – Jun 1, 2022 3 proceedings

Day 4

Direct Direct Examination of Sean Bett Sean Bett Camille Vasquez 4 181
Summary

Depp's security guard testifies he photographed Depp's 2015 injuries, never observed injuries on Heard, and witnessed no violence by Depp against Heard including on May 21, 2016.

Highlights (4)
Quote

“he's kind of too cool for school. He goes into that kind of Jack Sparrow mode and he's just, you know, very likeable, whether he drinks or he doesn't drink.”

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Quote

“we needed it as evidence in case Ms. Heard tried to make allegations towards Mr. Depp. I was emphatic with him, telling him that's a serious mark, and we need to photograph it.”

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Day 5

Cross Cross Examination of Sean Bett Sean Bett J. Benjamin Rottenborn 2 150
Summary

Rottenborn challenges Bett's credibility through text message impeachment, deposition contradictions, and surveillance video showing a 90-minute stay Bett had significantly underestimated.

Highlights (2)
Quote

“Well, that specific bedroom door in his Los Angeles house, it has a tricky lock to it, so it's, you know, there have been times where I've gone upstairs and maybe had a glass of water for him, and so I would have to open that door for him, correct.”

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Redirect Redirect Examination of Sean Bett Sean Bett Camille Vasquez 3 17
Summary

Vasquez rehabilitates Bett on May 21 sobriety and penthouse layout, and closes with Bett stating his safety concerns were for Depp alone.

Highlights (3)

Locations

ECB Penthouse 3 procs
Australia 1 proc
Bahamas 1 proc

Evidence From Their Proceedings (8)

Documents Admitted

Floor plan / schematic of Eastern Columbia Building penthouses

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Photographs Unclear

Bett Facial Injury Photos — Undifferentiated Reference

Photographs of Johnny Depp's facial injuries taken by security guard Sean Bett on multiple occasions, referenced as the basis for Bett's stated safety concern for Depp. The…

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Digital Communications Excluded

Bett–Depp 'Not-Drugs' Text (Jun 12 2019, Ex. 967)

A text exchange between Sean Bett and Depp dated June 12, 2019, referencing 'not-drugs' in connection with visitors at Depp's house.

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Digital Communications Excluded

Bett–Depp September 2017 Drinking Text

A September 1, 2017 text exchange between Depp and his security guard Sean Bett in which Depp describes drinking wine and pounding an entire bottle of tequila, and Bett mentions…

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Video Admitted

ECB Lobby: Depp, Bett, and Judge Arrival (19:02, May 21, 2016)

Surveillance video from the Eastern Columbia Building lobby showing Sean Bett, Johnny Depp, and a person identified as Judge entering the building at 19:02 (7:02 p.m.) on May 21,…

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Video Admitted

ECB: Depp, Bett, and Judge Departure (20:29, May 21, 2016)

Surveillance video from the Eastern Columbia Building showing Sean Bett, Johnny Depp, and a person identified as Judge departing the building at 20:29 (8:29 p.m.) on May 21, 2016.

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Photographs Admitted

Plaintiff's Ex. 146 — Depp Swollen Cheekbone, circa March 2015

Photograph of Johnny Depp's swollen upper left cheekbone, taken by security guard Sean Bett around March 2015. Bett authenticated the photograph and explained the protective…

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Photographs Admitted

Plaintiff's Ex. 65 — Depp Facial Scratches and Bruising, December 2015

Three-page set of photographs documenting Johnny Depp's facial scratch marks and bruising, taken by security guard Sean Bett in mid-December 2015. Bett authenticated each…

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