Johnny Depp is ‘afraid to testify’ and ‘expected to opt out’ in his restraining order battle with Amber Heard

JOHNNY Depp is allegedly NOT going to testify in his restraining order trial on Friday – and is said instead said to be pleading a constitutional amendment which prohibits self-incrimination.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 53, is said to be pleading the 5^th amendment instead of testifying against estranged wife Amber Heard’s request for a permanent restraining order.

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The 5^th amendment imposes restrictions on the government’s abilities to prosecute someone accused of a crime and prohibits self-incrimination from those accused of capital or infamous crime.

Sources told TMZ: “Amber's team is convinced Johnny is afraid to testify and, given the police are already involved, it's just too risky to take the oath and endure a hard cross-examination.”

The sources also feel that considering Amber is prepared to testify, the judge will have no choice but to grant the order if Johnny refuses.

However, the US site states that it is ‘common’ for those accused of such crimes to plead the 5^th amendment in civil cases.

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Amber, 30, filed for divorce from Johnny Depp in May, originally citing ‘irreconcilable differences’.

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However allegations of domestic abuse throughout their 15-month marriage soon surfaced.

Heard was later photographed leaving court with a black eye - allegedly from an incident that saw Johnny throw an iPhone at her face in a temper.

A temporary restraining order was granted to Amber after she said: “I live in fear that Johnny will return to the residence unannounced to terrorise me, physically and emotionally."

The court hearing on 17 June will determine whether or not the order will be made a permanent one.

The warring couple were last seen together as a couple in the now infamous ‘war on terriers’ apology video to the Australian government back in April.

While Amber has maintained a low-profile since the split became public, Johnny began a European tour with his band Hollywood Vampires.

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Text messages apparently from Depp’s assistant Stephen Deuters apologising on his behalf after a violent outburst have also leaked online, although Stephen has since claimed they were fake.

Many have been quick to leap to Johnny’s defence, including ex Vanessa Paradis, daughter Lily-Rose Depp and comedian Doug Stanhope.

Amber is now also suing Doug after he wrote an open letter to the public accusing her of “threatening to lie about [Johnny] publicly” and calling her a “demon”.

He has now said to have jetted to his island in the Bahamas, where the couple got married, in order to hide out from the press.

Amber and Johnny did not get a pre-nuptial agreement before the wedding and Amber is seeking spousal support.

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