8 h, may 31, 2016 y - Lawyers Call Amber Heard a “Hero” for Going Public with Johnny Depp Abuse Allegations

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In the statement, Heard’s attorney Samantha F. Spector and her co-counsel Joseph P. Koenig write that their client “can no longer endure the relentless attacks and outright lies launched against her character in the Court of Public Opinion.” (Depp’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, accused Heard of attempting “to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse.” Stanhope alleged that he watched Heard “manipulate and f— with [Depp] for years.”)

Spector and Koenig say Heard “suffered through years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Johnny,” but did not provide a statement to authorities earlier, including on the evening of “the tragic events of May 21”—when Heard says Depp struck her with a cell phone—in order “to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career.”

“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,” the lawyers continue, adding that Heard has given an official statement to the L.A.P.D. to “set the record straight as to the true facts.”

“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,” say Spector and Koenig. The legal team claims that when Heard did decide to move forward with the divorce, she did so discreetly.

“From the beginning it has been Amber’s desire to keep this matter as private as possible, even though LAPD officers responded to a 911 call made by a third-party,” Spector and Koenig allege. Heard’s legal team notes that it could have served Depp with divorce papers at the premiere of his latest film, Alice Through the Looking Glass, in front of a myriad of media and photographers. Instead, “we sent a letter to Johnny’s counsel team the next morning making it clear we wanted to keep this matter out of the media.”

“We took the high road,” Heard’s legal counsel alleges. “Unfortunately, Johnny’s team immediately went to the press and began viciously attacking Amber’s character. Amber is simply a victim of domestic violence, and none of her actions are motivated by money. Amber is a brave and financially independent woman who is showing the courage of her convictions by doing the right thing against Johnny’s relentless army of lawyers and surrogates. . . . Amber is the victim. Amber is a hero.”

SOURCE:
US VA Court Documents:
- Johnny Depp Exhibit 415 / 427

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