Kate Moss flatly denied Johnny Depp pushed her down a flight of stairs – a rumour spread by Amber Heard – as she testified at the star-studded defamation trial today.
In what could be the shortest testimony of the Depp v Heard trial – and could prove to the most damaging to Heard – supermodel Moss took the witness stand today.
news.com.au reports that the star’s testimony took all of four minutes during which she denied a rumour, raised in court by Heard, that Depp had thrown the model down a staircase while the former couple were on holiday in Jamaica.
It’s the first time Moss has discussed the allegations.
Moss’ denial that she was attacked reduces the ability of Heard’s legal team to show a pattern of behaviour from Depp of domestic violence.
Heard is being sued by Depp for $US50million for implying he abused her in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed. Although she did not name him, he claims her allegations are false and cost him lucrative movie roles.
Heard has countersued, asking for $US100 million and claiming she suffered “rampant physical violence and abuse” at his hands but was defamed when claims were made that she had manufactured the allegations.
Moss was never due to be called to the stand.
But earlier in the trial, Depp’s lawyers were seen to be celebrating when Heard suddenly brought up Moss during her testimony.
Heard told the court about an alleged fracas in 2015 between Depp and her sister Whitney Henriquez, which took place near to a staircase. Heard said she punched Depp because of her concern he could have pushed her sister down the staircase.
Heard added that she instantly thought about “Kate Moss and the stairs”.
Those five words referenced a rumoured – but never confirmed – incident.
In Depp’s UK defamation trial in 2020, Heard also brought up the alleged incident and said she had “heard” that Moss had been pushed down a staircase.
Conduct not related to the case in question is usually not allowed to be introduced by lawyers as it’s not relevant. But Heard bringing up the incident of her own accord had given Depp the opportunity to call Moss as a witness to address the allegation, stated the New York Post.
Despite their break up, Depp and Moss were thought to still be on good terms.
[Source : news.com.au, New York Post]
