Johnny Depp sues British newspaper The Sun at Amber Heard pre-trial for branding him a 'wife-beater'
In a surprise move, actor Johnny Depp appeared at London's High Court on Wednesday, February 26, to sue The Sun newspaper over claims that the media outlet branded him as a "wife-beater" through a column published in April 2018.
According to Daily Mail, the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor brought a lawsuit against The Sun and its executive editor Dan Wootton for libel, two years after the latter wrote a piece where he claimed that the star hit his ex-wife, Amber Heard, during their tumultuous 18-month marriage. The article in question chastized author JK Rowling for casting Depp in her film 'Fantastic Beasts' even after the 'Aquaman' actress alleged in 2016 that he was a "monster" who had physically abused her multiple times during their marriage, including instances where he choked her and ripped out clumps of her hair.
Additionally, she claimed that the alleged violence started in 2013, even before the couple married. As a result, she claimed that she feared for her life at one point.
Before going head to head with his former wife in the central London court in March, in the bid to prove that it was she and not he who was the domestic abuser in their past relationship, Depp appeared at a pre-trial on Wednesday, denying allegations of violence against Heard "100 percent."
The actor looked dapper in a blue suit and sunglasses, as he made it clear before the court that he was determined to clear his name by presenting evidence before the judge. "The Sun's article contains serious and criminal accusations against Mr. Depp; that he beat his wife and caused her significant injury," David Sherborne, Depp's lawyer, told the court on Wednesday. "Mr. Depp has the right to have himself publicly vindicated. This is a vital function of the libel trial when it takes place."
While Depp was prepared to submit testimony from two Los Angeles police officers, new video and audio evidence, as well as produce 17 witnesses to prove that he is innocent, Heard, who will also be flying from the US before the trial begins, will reportedly bring new allegations of violence which will be supported by a number of her friends who will be traveling to London to give evidence on her behalf.
"New, horrible allegations are being made by Ms. Heard, which Mr. Depp completely denies. One side is lying, and one side is not. We say that it's Ms. Heard," Sherborne said.
