Amber Heard recently filed for divorce from Johnny Depp, initially citing “irreconcilable differences”. Married in February 2015, Heard and Depp officially separated on May 22, 2016 – only two days after the death of Depp’s mother.
According to her legal documents, Heard wants their house, the Range Rover, the two dogs, spousal support, and legal costs. According to his legal documents, Depp rejects her claims and cites that they were only married 15 months.
As if that weren’t enough, things got even nastier when Heard later filed a domestic violence restraining order against Depp. Reportedly, Depp’s recent smashing of an iPhone against her face triggered Heard’s move to file for divorce. Depp allegedly got angry, grabbed the phone, “wound up his arm like a baseball pitcher and threw the cell phone at [her], striking [her] cheek and eye”. When Heard’s friend called the police, Depp supposedly fled. The police arrived at the scene and informed Heard that they could find Depp and arrest him if she gave a statement regarding the violence, but she refused.
Heard claims that Depp has been verbally and physically abusive throughout their relationship, brutalizing her on multiple occasions. Last month, Depp allegedly showed up to Heard’s birthday party “inebriated and high”. After guests left, he went on a violent tirade – throwing a magnum-sized bottle of champagne at the wall and a wine glass at Heard, and later grabbing her shoulders and shoving her onto the floor and bed.
On May, 27 2016, Heard arrived to court with a bruise on her face. The judge issued a temporary restraining order requiring Depp to stay 100 yards away from Heard, and further ordered Heard the right to live in the matrimonial home. The judge however, rejected requests for protection of their dogs, and also rejected her claim for spousal support.
In Ontario, Depp’s outbursts could be considered domestic violence, and such behaviour (whether accidental or not) is punishable under the Criminal Code of Canada. If Heard were to have reported these incidents in Ontario, Depp could have been arrested, charged, and jailed.
If police were called to the scene, Depp would have been removed from the family home, and he would have no longer been able to return (except with a police escort, for the purposes of retrieving his belongings). It is also likely that Heard would have had de facto exclusive possession of the matrimonial home (much like what she has already been granted in the form of the right to live in the home) by virtue of the criminal order; and this would have then prejudiced Depp’s legal claim to the home.
If Depp and Heard had any children together (which they do not), Heard would have likely had de facto custody of the children as a result of the criminal charges; thereby also impacting Depp’s entitlement to custody.
Furthermore, Depp’s arrest could also have potentially triggered an immediate requirement to start paying spousal and/or child support.
And last but certainly not least, domestic violence could seriously and negatively impact Depp’s reputation and professional career. Now we’ll have to wait and see if these allegations affect the recent release of Alice through the Looking Glass.