Will Smith Faces Deposition Push in Jada Pinkett Smith's $3 Million Lawsuit
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 17
Will Smith Faces Deposition Push in Jada Pinkett Smith's $3 Million Lawsuit
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 17
Summary
A July 7 email shows Bilaal Salaam asked to depose Will Smith in his $3 million emotional-distress suit against Jada Pinkett Smith.
Pinkett Smith's lawyer rejected the request, saying Smith is not a party and Salaam must subpoena him as a nonparty; she said no subpoena had been served.
The exchange surfaced in Pinkett Smith's July 15 motion to compel Salaam to turn over more evidence, including medical records supporting the injuries behind his damages claim.
Salaam sued in November, alleging threats tied to his comments about the couple, including after the 2022 Oscars slap and while he was writing a memoir.
A judge in April struck claims tied to public media statements under California's anti-SLAPP law, ordered Salaam to pay $32,836 in legal costs, and set the next hearing for Aug. 19.