Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Winona: Johnny was so caring.. it’s impossible to believe horrific allegations
Depp exes claim star was never violent with them
WINONA Ryder has described Johnny Depp as “extremely caring” and said he was never violent or abusive when they were together.
The Stranger Things star said she found it “impossible to believe” claims he assaulted ex-wife Amber Heard.
Ryder, 48, who was engaged to the Pirates of the Caribbean star in the 1990s, praised him in a statement supporting his libel claim over an article that described him as a “wife beater”.
In it she said: “I was absolutely shocked, confused and upset when I heard the accusations against him.
“The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved.
“He was never, never violent towards me. He was never, never abusive at all towards me. He has never been violent or abusive towards anybody I have seen.
“I only know him as a really good man, an incredibly loving, extremely caring guy who was so very protective of me and the people that he loves, and I felt very, very safe with him.
“I do not want to call anyone a liar but, from my experience of Johnny, it is impossible to believe that such horrific allegations are true.”
Depp, 57, was also backed by singer Vanessa Paradis, 47, the mother of his two children. She said: “I have known Johnny for more than 25 years.
“Through all these years I’ve known him to be a kind, attentive, generous and non-violent person. On movie sets the actors, directors and entire crews adore him because he is humble and respectful to everyone, as well as being one of the best actors we have seen.
“I am aware of the allegations Amber Heard has accused Johnny of.
This is nothing like the true Johnny I have known. He has helped so many in his personal and professional life, with kindness and generosity.”
Ryder and Paradis were due to appear at the High Court in London via videolink from their respective homes in France. But Depp’s legal team said NGN’S defence was now that the actor was not violent generally, but only towards Heard, so there was no need to call them to give evidence.
Photos seeming to show bruises on Depp’s face were shown in court.
The star’s head of security, Sean Bett, claimed Heard was “verbally and physically abusive” throughout the relationship.
Mr Bett, a former deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department, said Depp told him Heard “had slapped him on the face a few times”. Depp is suing NGN and journalist Dan Wootton over an article on April 27, 2018 with the headline: “Gone Potty: How can JK Rowling be ‘genuinely happy’ casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?”
His lawyers say the article bore the meaning that there was “overwhelming evidence” that Depp assaulted Heard on a number of occasions and left her “in fear for her life”.
Heard claims that, during an incident, she was subjected to a “three-day hostage situation” during which actor Depp drank to excess and took pills. NGN says Mr Depp was “controlling and verbally and physically abusive towards Ms Heard, particularly when under the influence of alcohol and/ or drugs”.
The hearing continues.