Dog smuggling case against Johnny Depp’s wife Amber Heard set for trial next April

THE dog smuggling case against Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp’s wife Amber Heard has been set for trial in April next year, with a magistrate ordering more secret evidence be sealed by the court.

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THE dog smuggling case against Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp’s wife Amber Heard has been set for trial in April next year, with a magistrate orders more secret evidence be sealed by the court.

Heard is charged with illegally bringing her and Depp’s pet pooches, Pistol and Boo, into Australia aboard a private jet while he was on the Gold Coast earlier this year filming the latest instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

The 29-year-old actor’ lawyers sought a five-day hearing but Southport magistrate Chris Callaghan today questioned the need for such a lengthy hearing, saying ‘we’ve all got to tighten our belts’. “Why is it going to take five days?” he asked.

He set down a four-day hearing from April 18 next year due to ‘witness availability’.

Mr Callaghan also agreed to seal a letter to the court which Ms Heard’s barrister said ‘raises confidential matters of a personal nature to my client’.

Other correspondence was also ordered sealed earlier this month.

Depp is expected to be called as one of 12 witnesses at the trial.

Heard has indicated she will plead not guilty to the federal charges.

“My decision to defend these charges, as will become apparent in the appropriate forum of the court, is not intended to in any way diminish the importance of Australia’s laws,” she said in a statement earlier this month.

“I look forward to attending the hearing of these matters … Whilst I am unable to comment on the specific matters before the court I would like to say that I respect the importance of Australia’s laws.”