Johnny Depp Denies Punching Crew Member But Argues Injuries Are Due to ‘Self-Defense’

Johnny Depp has claimed that the film crew member who has accused the star of punching him on the set of “City of Lies” sustained his injuries due to “self defense/defense of others.”

In a legal documents obtained by TheWrap, Depp’s attorneys do not admit that the actor or his co-defendants struck location manager Gregg “Rocky” Brooks but argue that Brooks himself “provoked” the actions that resulted in his own injuries.

“The acts complained of by Plaintiff were provoked by Plaintiff’s unlawful and wrongful conduct in that Plaintiff willfully and maliciously acted out and conducted his activities in such a manner as to cause, Defendant Depp to fear for his safety, and according to Defendant Depp’s observations, Defendant Brad Furman for his safety,” read the legal filing.

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Moreover, the documents read, “the Complaint and each of its causes of action are barred, or recovery reduced, by Plaintiff’s own carelessness, recklessness and/or negligence.”

Brooks, who said he was working as a location manager on the film, filed a suit in July that claimed things got ugly during a shoot at the Barclay Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

According to the suit, permits for the shoot initially allowed for exterior shooting at the hotel until 7 p.m. and inside the hotel until 10 p.m. An extension was granted, and at 10:50 p.m. they were asked to make the current shot the last exterior shot of the night. Brooks said that he was told to instruct Depp of the request, but wanted an on-set LAPD officer to assist him in doing so because he knew Depp “may become upset.”

Before he could enlist the officer’s help, however, Brooks’ suit said that Depp accosted Plaintiff and began attacking him, angrily screaming in his face ‘WHO THE F— ARE YOU? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO!'”

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According to the complaint, Depp also “angrily and forcefully punched Plaintiff twice in the lower left side of his rib cage and causing pain.”

When Brooks maintained his composure, the suit said, Depp yelled that he would give Brooks $100,000 to punch him in the face. According to the suit, Brooks still didn’t react, and Depp’s bodyguards physically removed the actor from the scene.

In the legal filing answering Brooks’ lawsuit, Depp contended that Brooks’ own actions caused the damages claimed in the initial complaint and that he didn’t take the necessary steps to mitigate the damages he “proximately caused to himself.” Depp, therefore, asked for a judgment in his favor and that the costs of the suit and attorney fees and further relief be returned to him.

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In a statement to TheWrap, Depp’s lawyer Adam Waldman said, “Despite false media reports suggesting otherwise, Johnny Depp never touched the person suing him, as over a dozen witnesses present will attest. In a court filing we have generally denied all claims and we will fight these latest sham allegations.”

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report. 

For the record: A previous version of this story incorrectly suggested that Johnny Depp’s legal team had admitted that the star had hit Brooks.