Aaron Phypers is pushing back against allegations of domestic violence in his ongoing divorce from Denise Richards, telling a Los Angeles court that the actress “bruises easily” and insisting he never harmed her.
Us Weekly reports that Phypers, 53, took the stand on Wednesday, October 8, where his attorney presented him with a photo of Richards from January 2022 showing a black eye. He acknowledged seeing bruising at the time but denied causing it.
“She would bruise her arms, all sorts of stuff,” Phypers testified, alleging that Richards often hurt herself “while cooking” or from “falling down.” He added, “It may have been accidentally [done], I don’t know,” while clarifying that he did not believe Richards intentionally gave herself injuries.
When pressed on the black eye specifically, Phypers said he had no memory of it and only saw the photo after filing for divorce in July. “Absolutely not,” he responded when asked if he struck Richards.
Richards, 54, was also in court Wednesday, testifying as part of her request for a permanent restraining order. In filings from July, she described repeated acts of violence throughout their six-year marriage, including being slapped, choked, and pinned to the ground. She claimed Phypers once slammed her head into a bathroom fixture and threatened to kill her. Richards also alleged he hacked into her devices to access private messages.
The testimony this week has included multiple witnesses. Richards’ makeup artist, Pamela Brogardi, told the court she overheard Phypers threaten to break the actress’ legs. Phypers denied the accusation, saying, “No. Absolutely not.”
Earlier in the trial, his cousin, Dr. Kathleen McAllister, claimed she witnessed Phypers hit Richards at his Malibu wellness center in 2022, leaving her with a black eye.
Phypers, however, rejected all such claims on the stand. “I don’t abuse my wife,” he testified, directly disputing Richards’ account of violent confrontations. He also denied grabbing her hair or choking her during arguments.
The couple, who married in 2018, separated earlier this year. Richards was granted a temporary restraining order in July, which she now hopes to make permanent as the proceedings continue.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 for confidential support.