Johnny Depp trial – live: Doctor recalls treating severed finger after Amber Heard
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.
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.
Court is shown video of Depp’s home on private island
Ms Lloyd’s testimony has resumed, with her being shown video from inside Depp’s home on his private island.
The nurse confirmed she recognised the home, which was decorated with brightly-coloured furniture.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 19:19
Juror excused for health reasons
One member of the jury, Juror 25, has been excused due to health issues.
The juror spoke briefly to the judge following the lunch break, saying he needed time to overcome stomach problems.
He offered to come back tomorrow after getting some rest, but the judge said that was not an option and excused him altogether.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 19:13
Court is back in session
Monday’s lunch break has ended, with the jury preparing to hear more from Ms Lloyd’s testimony.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 19:10
Special guests outside the court
Two unusual spectators showed up ourside the court on Monday: alpacas.
A snap by Law & Crime photographer Eric Benson captured the two leashed alpacas, one of them wearing a “Justice for Johnnie” sign, in front of the Fairfax County courthouse with a young woman.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 18:40
RECAP: Nurse testimony so far
The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander describes what we’ve learned so far from Ms Lloyd – including about Depp’s fights with Heard and his fear that he would never be able to kick his addiction:
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 18:20
Court on lunch break
The court has broken for lunch until 2pm EST.
After the break the jury will continue to hear testimony from Ms Lloyd.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 18:02
Depp laughs as court sees his text asking for morphine
Depp broke into a small laugh when the court was shown a text message in which he told Ms Lloyd: “You can give me some morphine to see if my tongue and penis touch.”
The message was part of an apology after he had refused to see Ms Lloyd – or anyone else – earlier in the day.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 18:01
Jury sees texts between Depp and his nurse
The jury has been shown text messages between Depp and Ms Lloyd in March 2015 after the finger injury, in which the actor shares sadness over being “fired” by Dr Kipper.
Ms Lloyd said she did not remember the messages but does believe they are accurate.
Depp refers to Ms Lloyd as “Little Debbie” and “Nurse Shark” in the messages and says he will miss having her around.
In one message Ms Lloyd tells Depp that Dr Kipper would resume care if he “stops using” – but the nurse said she did not recall what that message meant.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 17:42
Nurse recounts severed finger incident
Ms Lloyd is now recounting the March 2015 incident in which Depp was treated for a severed finger.
She said she arrived at the home to find it in disarray, but did not remember many details about that.
She said she was told several rumours about how Depp sustained the injury, including that Heard had thrown vodka bottles at him. She said she did not remember who told her that story or whether she spoke directly to Depp about the incident.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 17:32
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