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       Watch live as Johnny Depp defamation case against Amber Heard continues

       Johnny Depp is expected to take the stand on Tuesday and give testimony in his $50m (￡38.2m) defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard.

       Depp’s friend and sound engineer Keenan Wyatt will also testify on behalf of the Pirates of the Caribbean actor, who is suing Heard for defaming him by implying he abused her in a 2018 column. Although she did not name him, Depp’s lawyers claim her allegations have made it difficult for the actor to land movie roles.

       Heard has filed for a $100m (￡76.m) counterclaim against Depp for nuisance and immunity from her the actor’s allegations.

       On the fourth day of testimony on Monday (18 April), 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.

       Depp has previously lost a defamation case in the UK against The Sun newspaper over the same article by Heard.

       Recommended Everything we know about the defamation trial opposing Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Johnny Depp and Amber Heard: A timeline of their relationship, allegations, and court battles From James Franco to Elon Musk, who could testify at defamation trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard?

       Key points Everything we learned in the first week of testimony Doctor recalls finding Depp’s severed finger after alleged fight with Heard Marriage counsellor describes ‘mutual abuse’ between Depp and Heard Johnny Depp’s friend ejected as witness as she admits watching clips of defamation trial Court shown plans of Depp and Heard’s extravagant five-home penthouse Depp’s tearful friend pleads for couple to ‘go heal’ at Amber Heard trial

       Show latest update 1650369658 Johnny Depp next in line to testify: Report

       Johnny Depp will reportedly testify on his behalf Tuesday (19 April) when hearing of the actor’s $50m defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard resumes at Fairfax Circuit court.

       The Oscar-nominated actor will return to the stand on Wednesday (20 April) to be cross-examined by Heard’s attorneys, according to a new Deadline report.

       The publication also reported on Monday (18 April) that sound technician Keenan Wyatt will also take the stand Tuesday, appearing on behalf of long-time friend Depp.

       Tesla boss Elon Musk and actor James Franco are among the high-profile witnesses in Depp’s $50m lawsuit against Heard over her 2018 The Washington Post op-ed which implied the actor had been abused by Depp during their short marriage.

       Maanya Sachdeva 19 April 2022 13:00

       1650366058 ICYMI: Heard’s former assistant claims actor treated her sister ‘like a dog’

       Amber Heard’s former personal assistant Kate James was called as a witness on behalf of Johnny Depp last week.

       During her testimony, James labeled the Pirates of the Caribbean actor a “total Southern gentleman” and outlined Heard’s verbally abusive treatment towards herself, Depp, and the actor’s mother and sister.

       Heard descended into screaming fits of blind rage, sent incoherent text messages at 4 a.m. and was often drunk and high on illegal drugs, James testified during a video deposition on 14 April.

       “Her poor sister was treated like a dog that you kicked, basically,” James told the Fairfax Circuit court.

       James also said Heard paid her “very poorly”, claiming she was hired at a salary of $25 (￡19) an hour. Her duties apparently ranged from picking up Heard’s dry cleaning to talking with the actress’ Hollywood agents.

       She also said Heard was a “very dramatic person” who was deeply insecure in her relationship with Depp, adding that the Never Back Down actor often called James to cry and complain about Depp.

       Maanya Sachdeva 19 April 2022 12:00

       1650362400 Heard’s defence: What is anti-SLAPP provision?

       Amber Heard is likely to argue that The Washington Post op-ed over which ex Johnny Depp is suing her is a matter of public interest during their ongoing trial at Fairfax County Circuit Court.

       Judge Penney Azcarate ruled in a preliminary hearing in Virginia in March that Ms Heard’s legal team was entitled to use a defence known as an anti-SLAPP Provision, which stands for a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.

       According to the provision, Heard is free to argue before a jury that she should be protected from a libel lawsuit given that the article in question addressed a matter of public interest and safety.

       Depp is suing Heard for $50m for defamation over the 2018 article in which she alluded that the Pirates of the Caribbean actor assaulted her.

       What is an anti-SLAPP Provision? Hollywood actors return to court for new defamation lawsuit

       Megan Sheets 19 April 2022 11:00

       1650355200 Voices: I was Johnny Depp’s biggest fan as a teenager – but I’d never admit that now

       The Independent’s Harriet Williamson penned a column last week explaining how this defamation trial has tainted her perception of Depp - whom she “worshipped” as a teenager.

       “His image as a free-thinking rebel and non-conformist – choosing quirky independent film roles, refusing to fit the Hollywood mould and getting into confrontations with the police – has, over time, transformed into something that feels much darker and sadder,” she writes.

       Opinion: I was Johnny Depp’s biggest fan as a teenager – but I’d never admit that now I’m sure I’m not alone in having previously worshipped a now-problematic star – it seems as if all of our idols fall short eventually, although some in more controversial and damaging ways than others

       Megan Sheets 19 April 2022 09:00

       1650348000 Who could testify this week?

       Before the trial kicked off, Depp and Heard each published a list of witnesses their teams may wish to call upon.

       The lists feature a number of very well-known names, including James Franco, Elon Musk, Paul Bettany - and the actors themselves.

       Clémence Michallon takes a look at who could be called to testify and why:

       From James Franco to Elon Musk, who could testify at Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial? Trial began with jury selection on 11 April in Virginia

       Megan Sheets 19 April 2022 07:00

       1650344400 Will Depp take the stand?

       Depp is rumoured to be gearing up to testify this week, giving the jury a direct account of the anguish he claims to have suffered at the hands of Heard.

       Both Depp and Heard indicated they may take the stand in pre-trial witness lists.

       If and when they will testify remains to be seen.

       Johnny Depp is seen entering the Fairfax County courtroom on 18 April

       (AP)

       Megan Sheets 19 April 2022 06:00

       1650340860 ICYMI: Depp and Heard’s former marriage counselor describes ‘mutual abuse’

       The professional who counseled Depp and Heard through marital issues took centre stage in the courtroom on Thursday as she told the jury how she believed they engaged in “mutual abuse”.

       Asked whether Heard had ever reported any physical violence by Depp to her, Dr Laurel Anderson said yes. Asked whether she had seen photos, she said she had but doesn’t remember when. Asked whether “there was violence from Mr Depp toward Amber”, she said: “Yes, you’re right.”

       “He had been well controlled for, I don’t know – 20, 30 years, and both were victims of abuse in their homes, but I thought he had been well controlled for decades,” she added. “And then with Ms Heard he was triggered and they engaged in what I saw as mutual abuse.”

       The Independent’s Clémence Michallon reports:

       Depp and Heard’s former marriage counselor says couple engaged in ‘mutual abuse’ Dr Lauren Anderson was called as a witness in defamation trial

       Megan Sheets 19 April 2022 05:01

       1650337211 Nurse notes reveal Depp’s fear of kicking addiction

       Notes from Depp’s former private nurse Debbie Lloyd were shown to the jury on Monday, revealing his fear of “never feeling normal without his drugs”.

       In the notes, which began in 2014, Ms Lloyd wrote that Depp started taking opioids after getting dental work done, and he became addicted.

       “Patient is fearful of coming off opioids, but knows it’s something he needs to do,” the notes state.

       The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander reports:

       Johnny Depp feared ‘never feeling normal without his drugs’, nurse’s notes say The notes of Johnny Depp’s former private nurse state that the actor feared “never feeling normal without his drugs”.

       Megan Sheets 19 April 2022 04:00

       1650333611 Doctor describes finding Depp’s severed finger

       The court on Monday heard how Dr Kipper 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. The tip of Depp’s finger was later found on the kitchen floor.

       Dr Kipper 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 those allegations and previously said of the altercation: “After the incident where Ms Heard threw the vodka bottle, the second vodka bottle at me, which severed the top of my finger and crushed the bones, that’s when I began what I feel was probably some species of a breakdown, a nervous breakdown or something.”

       Johnny Depp’s doctor found his finger on floor after Amber Heard vodka bottle fight Physician says he found actor bleeding heavily and that he cleaned finger wound

       Megan Sheets 19 April 2022 03:00

       1650330011 Doctor says he never witnessed abuse between Depp and Heard

       Under questioning from Depp’s attorneys in a video deposition shown in court on Monday, 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.

       Read more about Dr Kipper’s testimony:

       Johnny Depp’s doctor says he wasn’t paid as he worried about actor’s drug use ‘I recall not being paid. I don’t remember how long – it always turned back around,’ physician says

       Megan Sheets 19 April 2022 02:00

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