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Johnny Depp's Ex-Lovers Come To His Defense, Describe Him As 'Kind, Attentive And Non-violent'

Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradi submitted witness statements attesting to Johnny Depp's character for his libel case against a British tabloid newspaper.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp's former lovers Vanessa Paradis and Winona Ryder came to his defense and submitted witness statements protecting his character ahead of the libel case Johnny filed against a UK tabloid newspaper.

Johnny Depp is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) and its executive editor Dan Wootton for an article published in The Sun in April 2018 calling Depp a "wife-beater".

The statement referenced Amber Heard's allegations of abuse against Depp.

The article was written by Dan Wooton and was first published under the headline "Gone Potty - How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy' casting wife-beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?"

The article has been updated on Jun 12, 2018, and is now under a much safer headline "GONE POTTY How can JK Rowling be ‘genuinely happy’ casting Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film after assault claim?"

Johnny Depp's ex-wife Vanessa Paradis, however, denies violence claims against the actor.

She described Depp as a "kind, attentive, generous and non-violent person and father".

Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis

The 47 -year-old French singer, model, and actress share two children with the Pirates of The Caribbean actor.

In a witness statement, Paradis said:

"I have known Johnny for more than 25 years. We've been partners for 14 years and we raised our two children together. Through all these years I've known Johnny to be a kind, attentive, generous, and non-violent person and father. He was never violent or abusive to me."

Winona Ryder who was in a relationship with Depp in the '90s echoed a similar statement. 

Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder

"I cannot wrap my head around (Heard's) accusations. He was never, never violent towards me. He was never, never abusive at all towards me."

In a hearing conducted remotely, Depp's lawyers stated that they are seeking to admit evidence from Paradis and Ryder as part of his case.

Depp's lawyers also wanted to present evidence from Heard's former personal assistant, and the mechanic that worked for them when they were still together.

A two-week trial was supposed to start on March 25 in London but it was put on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The case will now be heard over a three-week trial starting July 7 at the Royal Courts of Justice with Mr. Justice Nicol as the presiding judge.

Depp is expected to travel from his hometown France to London to give evidence. 

Meanwhile, a separate $50 million defamation suit filed by Johnny Depp against Amber Heard in the US continues after Heard's dismissal attempt was denied by the court. 

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard

The defamation suit was filed in Virginia following an op-ed Heard wrote regarding domestic violence for the Washington Post in December 2018.

Heard did not mention Depp's name in the op-ed, however, with her allegations of abuse against the actor in 2016, it is easy for the public to connect the dots and assume that Depp is the subject of the article.

Heard's lawyer tries to remain positive despite the court's decision.

“Today’s decision leaves it to a jury to decide the meaning of Ms. Heard’s op-ed and the truth of what she said,” Heard's lawyer Roberta Kaplan said to Deadline in an interview following the dismissal.

Read Related Article: Crazy Video Of Johnny Depp Throwing A Fit in The Kitchen and Yelling At Amber Heard Resurfaces