It's a common accusation. Depp supporters often point to the mistaken 'fact' that Amber didn't hand over her devices for the trial.
Relevant Data
Depp's team were entitled to relevant data (i.e. photos on abuse dates) obtained through forensic imaging of her devices by her expert Julian Ackert, supervised by Depp's expert Bryan Neumister. This included phones, laptops, desktops and cloud storage.
Arrangements
Following the forensic imaging, there would be an extraction of relevant data. Depp's team was required to "make arrangements" for the required hardware and software for this process.
Neutral Party
A neutral third party was to filter the relevant photos. The chosen third party (Craig Young) did not have the right hardware and there were delays caused by software crashing. Again it was the responsibility of Depp's team to make arrangements for said hardware.
Extraction of Amber's Devices Did Take Place
The declaration of Julian Ackert confirms that the forensic imaging and extraction supervised by Depp's expert then sent to a neutral party for filtering took place. This was completed by 17th December 2021 which was the date agreed upon by all parties.
Sanctions
Even though Amber had honoured her responsibility to provide her devices for extraction and then review, Depp's team delayed the process. Amber's team argued that Depp's team repeatedly ignored communications to set a date for the analysis of her extracted information. They also noted that Depp's own expert stipulated that they needed specific hardware but failed to provide it. Depp also demanded that the exchange process be changed. Unhappy with delays, Depp's team filed sanctions.
This was Heard's team's response
Judge Ruling
For some reason, the judge denied forensic imaging and extraction of Depp's devices but did require him to produce "native files with metadata" of his recordings and injury photos. The judge then granted Depp's motion to suppress Ackert (Amber's expert) from giving testimony regarding the authenticity of these files.
Conclusion
Amber complied with the courts instructions to organise her own expert to oversee the extraction of her data. This was done efficiently before the deadline expired. The analysis which was to take place once the information had been extracted was delayed by Depp's team. Depp then blocked his own data from being reviewed by Amber's expert, Julian Ackert.
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