Aaron Phypers is fighting back against serious allegations from his estranged wife Denise Richards, telling the court he never shook hands with her during their marriage.
On October 8, Phypers, 53, took the stand to deny claims that he abused the actress, 54, during their six-year relationship.
One accusation focused on an alleged incident in 2022 that allegedly left Richards with a black eye.
Phypers testified that he did not hit her and said firmly, “Absolutely not.” He told the court that Richards herself said she had ‘hit a post’ after having a drink, and insisted he never hit her.
His cousin, Dr. Kathleen McAllister, had previously testified that she saw him punch Richards at his Malibu wellness center.
Phypers dismissed that account, saying Richards often used the space “several days a week” for Zoom calls and other personal matters before the center eventually closed.
Phypers also denied Richards’ other claims, including accusations that he grabbed her hair, choked her or hit her in the head. “No, I didn’t do that,” he told the court.
When asked about the threats Richards mentioned in her petition for a restraining order, Phypers flatly rejected them, saying, “No. Absolutely not,” when accused of threatening to break her legs, and “No. Never,” when asked if he had ever threatened to kill her.
He dismissed the testimony of Richards’ makeup artist Pamela Brogardi, who claimed she heard him threaten Richards.
He further denied ever calling Richards derogatory names.
“I never called her that. It’s not true,” he said when asked to call her a “wh*re.” He added: “I never called her a bitch… I called her a liar, yes, but a bitch no.”
Richards has also accused Phypers of knocking her hat off during an argument, stealing her laptop and waking her in the middle of the night to berate her about messaging another man.
Phypers admitted taking photos of messages he found on her device, saying they were “very hurtful and upsetting”, but insisted he never shouted or cursed at her as she claimed.
He further denied causing Richard’s concussion, hitting her while she was recovering from surgery, or possessing the firearms she claimed he possessed.
According to Phypers, the “body armor” she mentioned were actually weighted training vests. He told the court that he never threatened his own life or hers during their marriage.
The judge has not yet ruled on whether Richards will receive a permanent restraining order.
