Amber Heard hits back at ex-husband Johnny Depp's $50 million defamation lawsuit, furnishes more evidence of abuse

Amber Heard has asked a judge on Thursday to dismiss the $50 million defamation lawsuit that her ex-husband Johnny Depp has filed against her over an op-ed that was published in The Washington Post concerning alleged domestic violence and provided new evidence for the same.

In the motion filed in the Circuit of Faifax, Virginia, Heard elaborated on more than a dozen instances before and during their marriage when Depp had allegedly slapped her, shoved her pulled her hair or choked her. The allegations have appeared in the couple's divorce and other legal fights. However, Depp has denied any such abuse.

Heard also included exhibits such as photos of her with bruises on her face and scars on her arms, images of damage that allegedly Depp did to their home. She also produced new screenshots of text messages describing the incidents at the time and excerpts of her divorce that had deliberated upon the domestic abuse.

"Johnny Depp physically and verbally abused Amber Heard," said her attorney Eric George in a statement. 

She also added that since their divorce, Depp has continued to publicly harass Heard, and has even attempted to manipulate the world by denying his abuse. She further added, "It is long past time for Mr. Depp's despicable conduct to end."

However, Depp's lawsuit that was filed last month, called the ongoing allegations of domestic abuse, 'categorically and demonstrably false.' The lawsuit states that they were a part of an "elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity" for Heard and therefore, advance her career. The lawsuit claims that "she is a perpetrator."

Depp's attorney, Adam Waldman, has said that he is reviewing the filing. Previously, he said that Depp and he are looking forward to providing evidence that would clear Depp's name.

Published last summer, the Heard's piece in the Post does not mention Depp explicitly by name or describe any incidents, but it discusses the societal plight of those who speak up about domestic abuse.

READ: TWIST: Now, Johnny Depp Counter-accuses Ex-wife Amber Heard Of Domestic Abuse, Claims She Severed His Finger

"I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath,” said the actress and added that she felt as though she was on a trial 'in the court of public opinion.'

Things then took a wrong turn for Depp, as Depp's lawsuit said that it was evident that Heard was talking about him and that it worsened the damage the allegations had done to his career.

The lawsuit states that Depp has suffered financial losses because of the accusations, as he was dropped from his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Heard's lawyers have also argued that the lawsuit should be moved to Los Angeles because that's where the relevant events took place and the court would be in a position to subpoena witnesses and dig in for facts.

Heard had first accused Depp of domestic violence in May 2016, the year after they were married. They got divorced in 2017.

The actress who has starred in 'Aquaman' and 'Justice League' met Depp on the set of their 2011 film, 'The Rum Diary.'

(with agency inputs) 

READ: Johnny Depp Presents New Documents Claiming He Never Assaulted Amber Heard