The 3rd day of a defamation trial between Johnny Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard concerned a number of witnesses, together with Depp’s physician who spoke concerning the actor’s efforts to get better from dependancy.
In a video deposition exhibited to the jury on Thursday, Dr. David Kipper testified that he was once employed as a concierge physician for Depp in 2014. The actor had a historical past of substance abuse with alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines and stimulants like cocaine, and sought after the physician’s assist detoxifying from ingredients.
Kipper, who was once the protection’s witness, spoke on a number of items of proof referring to his notes about Depp’s growth, together with the repeatedly the actor attempted to halt the detoxing procedure. The proof additionally incorporated on occasion incoherent messages from Depp to the physician detailing his frustration with Heard.
The pass judgement on made up our minds to forestall Kipper’s deposition midway thru on Thursday and proceed the place it left off on Friday.
Depp has accused Heard of defamation in a 2018 op-ed she wrote in The Washington Put up, the place she refers to herself as a “public determine representing home abuse.” Heard does now not title Depp within the piece, despite the fact that his lawyers argue it references a restraining order Heard sought in 2016 after the couple started divorce lawsuits.
Heard has alleged that Depp violently abused her all through their dating in divorce paperwork in addition to in proof from a separate defamation lawsuit Depp filed and misplaced towards British tabloid The Solar, who referred to as the actor a “spouse beater” in 2018.
Depp denies abusing Heard, arguing as an alternative that it was once she who abused him. The actor is suing Heard for $50 million, and Heard is counter-suing for $100 million. Depp’s attorneys are seeking to argue that there’s no proof that the actor engaged within the abuse Heard alleges, and Heard’s attorneys say that proof will turn out differently — arguing that a lot of the abuse stemmed from Depp’s substance use.
One in all Depp’s witnesses was once Kate James, a former private assistant to Heard who testified that she by no means noticed the actress revel in any bodily abuse by the hands of her then-husband. James mentioned Depp was once “a complete Southern gentleman” with a peaceful demeanor, whilst calling Heard a “very dramatic individual” who would verbally abuse her and regularly be inebriated or medicine.
James, who mentioned she was once paid “very poorly” through Heard, testified right through cross-examination on an August 2016 textual content message Depp despatched her after he and Heard separated.
“Thanks, sweetheart … I’m disgusted that I ever fuckin’ touched that scum … Again on Tuesday!!! After which … Court docket!!!” the textual content learn. “Will hit you when I am getting again, doll … Come over for a place of crimson and we’ll repair her flabby ass, great and just right!!!”
James mentioned she did meet with Depp, however that they didn’t drink wine. The previous assistant mentioned she didn’t recall main points of the assembly, pronouncing, “It’s too way back.”
Any other of Depp’s witnesses, “Gina” Deuters, started attesting about her longtime friendship with the actor, in addition to his drug use and his dating with Heard. The pass judgement on pushed aside Deuters and struck her testimony from the file after the witness admitted to having watched one of the trial ahead of showing in courtroom.
Legal professionals additionally confirmed a video deposition of Laurel Anderson, a pair’s therapist who labored with Heard and Depp in 2015. Anderson testified that each actors suffered formative years abuse, and engaged in “mutual abuse” of their marriage.
“It was once some extent of satisfaction to her, if she felt disrespected, to start up a combat,” the therapist mentioned of Heard, including that she “rose to the problem” and “fought as laborious as [Depp] did.”
Heard advised Anderson in a solo consultation that Depp hit her, appearing her bruises on her face, each in footage and in individual. The therapist additionally testified that Heard “sought after to desire a divorce” however would somewhat be in a combat than see Depp go away.
Either one of the previous spouses are anticipated to testify on the trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court docket in Virginia.
Want assist? Within the U.S., name 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the Nationwide Home Violence Hotline.