He should still lose this case because it's for defamation. He hasn't proved he didn't abuse her. The fact that she was abusive too doesn't magically erase his abuse toward her.

You're always saying we have to stay within what the law allows .... well?

I don't get why he didn't file a civil suit for battery, DV, assault, etc instead of defamation. He would have had his say, told his side and been more likely to win. There's evidence. He only needs one instance of her admitting she hit him or a recording of her doing it. Clearly, that was available. Even if he had to drop this suit and file another one, I think that would have been better in the long run. A lot of this he said / she said would have died down and they both would have been held to some accountability. The way I is now, they've both ruined each other and there will always be die hards in each camp gunning for the enemy.

What a mess!