Watch live as Johnny Depp defamation case against Amber Heard continues
The trial for Johnny Depp’s defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard has resumed for a fourth day of testimony in Virginia.
Monday’s proceedings opened with the second half of a pre-recorded video testimony from Dr David Kipper, who treated the couple during their marriage and still treats Depp for addiction.
Dr Kipper testified that he never witnessed abuse between the pair, but recalled treating Depp’s severed finger after a March 2015 incident in which the actor later claimed Heard had hurled vodka bottles at him.
His testimony came after the couple’s former marriage counsellor testified last week about their “mutual abuse”.
The trial centres around Depp’s claim that Heard defamed him by implying that he abused her in a 2018 column. Although she did not name him, lawyers claim her allegations have made it difficult for the actor to land movie roles.
He is asking for $50m (£38.2m) in damages during the trial in Fairfax County’s district courthouse. Heard has filed a counterclaim against Depp for nuisance.
Depp has previously lost a defamation case in the UK against The Sun newspaper over the same article by Heard.
Jury hears testimony from Depp’s former nurse
Depp’s former nurse, Debbie Lloyd, is now giving testimony via pre-recorded video.
Ms Lloyd was assigned to help treat Depp by the previous witness, Dr Kipper.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 16:43
Doctor describes missing payments from Depp
At one point in his testimony, Dr Kipper described a period of time in which he was not paid by Depp.
He said he could not recall how long the period was, after Heard’s lawyers indicated it was about three months.
Around the same time, Dr Kipper said he became concerned about Depp’s alcohol and drug use.
The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander reports:
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 16:39
RECAP: Doctor Kipper’s testimony
In a pre-recorded video, Dr Kipper testified at length about his knowledge of Depp and Heard’s relationship over the course of six years that he spent treating both actors.
A standout moment came on Monday, when he spoke about treating Depp’s severed finger after an alleged fight between the pair in March 2015.
The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander breaks down Dr Kipper’s full testimony:
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 16:33
Court takes 15-minute break
Dr Kipper’s testimony has concluded, with the court now on a 15-minute break.
The judge indicated that the next witness will also testify via pre-recorded video.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 16:12
Doctor says he’s never witnessed abuse between Depp and Heard
Under questioning from Depp’s attorneys, Dr Kipper said he “never” witnessed abuse between the actor and Heard over the six years that he treated them.
He said neither Depp nor Heard ever reported abuse to him either.
Depp’s lawyers are seeking to make the point that if Depp abused Heard, Dr Kipper would have been aware of it.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 16:06
Doctor recalls Depp’s finger injury in 2015
Dr Kipper has now told the court how he treated Depp for a finger injury in Australia in March 2015 – after an incident in which the actor claimed Heard threw a vodka bottle at him.
The physician said he found Depp bleeding profusely and treated his finger wound, but said he was not sure how the injury occurred.
He said he spoke to Heard the same day but did not observe any wounds on her. Heard had said that Depp threw her against a ping-pong table and shoved her into a fridge.
Depp denied…
Read More: Johnny Depp trial – live: Doctor recalls treating severed finger after Amber