Amber Heard Cancels Johnny Depp Abuse, Drugs, And Terrorism Claims: $7 Million Deal Drama
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have been battling it out within court as well as outside the legal system, caught up in the drama of a volatile divorce that was complicated by her accusations of domestic violence and a request for a restraining order. And then abruptly, it was over, with the bombshell announcement that Heard had withdrawn both her accusations of abuse and her request to extend the temporary restraining order.
Because Amber made the decision to both withdraw her claims of abuse and retract her restraining order request (i.e., dismiss the case “with prejudice”), Heard now does not have the option to re-file, according to Variety.
“We are very pleased that this matter has been settled and Amber has been vindicated in the Court of Public Opinion,” stated the legal team of Johnny’s ex. “The case was incredibly challenging and demanding on everyone involved, but mostly on Amber, who showed great grace and strength under fire. It was an honor to represent her.”
“My assertion that Amber Heard has been vindicated in the court of public opinion is not true. We regret the error and apologize to Johnny Depp.”
Did Depp Assault His Wife?
In her initial April 27 declaration, Heard alleged that Johnny assaulted her multiple times. She described a fight on May 21 in their house in downtown Los Angeles. Although her description included the claim that Depp threw a cellphone and hit her eye and cheek, police discovered no evidence of such an assault from Johnny.
Moreover, Amber claimed that Depp had a history that included substance abuse, violence in the form of outbursts, and anger problems. Following those allegations, she received a 100-day restraining order against Johnny. That bombshell exploded just one week after her original divorce filing, in which she cited irreconcilable differences. The two had been married for 15 months.
‘Volatile’ Relationship ‘Bound By Love’
As for the next step, the couple teamed up to attempt to prevent any additional accusations emerging. Their statement admitted that their relationship had been “volatile,” while stressing that their love had kept them together.
“Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love.”
Heard’s and Depp’s joint statement continued to deny the speculation that one or both had been focused on the financial aspect of their split, while also contradicting the previous allegations that Johnny had assaulted his wife.
As for comments on the aspect of their split that featured allegations that Depp had subjected Heard to domestic violence outbursts throughout their relationship, the statement also emphasized that she wished “the best” for her ex-husband in the future. She will donate the “financial proceeds” from the divorce settlement to a charity, according to the conclusion of their announcement summing up their future.
Accusations Of Substance Abuse And Violence
Beginning in April, Heard repeatedly spun out new allegations that Depp had abused her, contending that Johnny’s violence was connected to his “cycle of substance abuse.” She specifically claimed that fights occurred in April, May, March, and December of 2015. In the papers that she filed in April, Amber claimed that she felt fearful of the potential that Johnny would “terrorize” her.
“I live in fear that Johnny will return to (our house) unannounced to terrorize me, physically, and emotionally.”
In addition to emphasizing her fear, Heard alleged that Depp had abused drugs and alcohol.
“I am extremely afraid of Johnny and for my safety,” declared the actress as part of her request for a restraining order. “Johnny has a long-held and widely-acknowledged public and private history of drug and alcohol abuse.”
Inside The Aftermath: Who Won?
It’s been about three months since it all began, and with the divorce settlement in place, People investigated who is the winner, asking Los Angeles family law expert Steve Mindel to analyze what it all means.
Now that the divorce dust has settled, Depp is obligated to pay Heard $7 million to wrap up the settlement, while she in turn has dismissed her domestic abuse case against Johnny. Mindel believes that the outcome leaves both Johnny and Amber satisfied — well, sort of.
“This is a settlement that both parties can be happily unhappy with – and those are usually the best settlements.”
When it comes to the emphasis in their public statement that neither sought financial gain, Mindel explained that it was designed to prevent future accusations that one of them lied in order to reap a profit.
“In some future situation, no one can say Heard was a liar in this case because there is now a public statement saying no one lied for financial gain,” he pointed out.
[Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]
