Amber Heard didn’t report abuse by Johnny Depp in order to protect him, attorneys say
After a restraining order was issued Friday against estranged husband Johnny Depp, Amber Heard is clarifying why she didn’t previously share with police her allegations of abuse.
“In reality, Amber acted no differently than many victims of domestic violence, who think first of the harm that might come to the abuser, rather than the abuse they have already suffered,†Heard’s attorneys Samantha F. Spector and Joseph P. Koenig said in a statement issued Tuesday morning.
Heard filed for divorce May 23 after an argument with Depp May 21 that resulted in a call to the Los Angeles Police Department, which reported “at that time, no evidence†of a crime and that Heard had told officers it was a “verbal dispute only.â€
“As the result of Amber’s decision to decline giving an initial statement to the LAPD, her silence has been used against her by Johnny’s team. Amber did not provide a statement to the LAPD in an attempt to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career,†Heard’s attorney’s said.
Heard has since given a statement to the LAPD according to her attorneys.
The attorneys said their client has “suffered through years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Johnny,†adding that Heard “cannot continue to leave herself open to the vicious false and malicious allegations that have infected the media.â€
The statement notes that none of her actions “are motivated by money,†a likely reference to the $50,000 in monthly spousal support Heard is seeking from Depp.
Representatives for Depp did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The actor has been overseas, touring with his band Hollywood Vampires, playing Monday in Stockholm and scheduled to perform Wednesday in Horsens, Denmark.
Depp’s latest effort at the box office, Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass,†disappointed over Memorial Day weekend, garnering only $34.2 million, a far cry from the $116-million take of 2010 predecessor “Alice in Wonderland.â€
The weak box office may not be attributable to the actor’s mercurial personal life, but bad reviews could be. “I’d guess the bad reviews probably scared more people,†said Paul Dergarabedian, comScore senior media analyst.
The news is not all bad for Depp this weekend, as 17-year-old daughter Lily-Rose Depp posted a photo of herself and her father on her Instagram feed with a message stating, “My dad is the sweetest most loving person I know, he’s been nothing but a wonderful father to my little brother and I, and everyone who knows him would say the same.â€
More
Amber Heard alleges Johnny Depp physically abused her; judge grants her a restraining order
‘X-Men’ and ‘Alice’ lead a tepid Memorial Day weekend box office
‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ is more blunder than wonder
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UPDATES:
12:37 p.m.: This article has been updated to clarify that Heard has now given a statement to the LAPD, according to her attorneys.
This article was originally published at 9:18 a.m.
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