Johnny Depp trial – live: Doctor recalls treating severed finger after Amber
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.
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.
Johnny Depp laughs in court during testimony from his nurse Debbie Lloyd on 18 April
(Fairfax County court)
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
Nurse responds to Depp call about ‘nasty freakout’
Ms Lloyd is now being asked about her notes from 22 September 2014, where she indicated that Depp and Heard had been in a fight on his island.
The notes state that Depp asked her for medication – which he described as “some f**kin’ knockout yum yum” – after Heard had a “nasty freakout”.
Ms Lloyd wrote that she found Depp agitated and with bloody knuckles on his right hand.
In her testimony, Ms Lloyd confirmed that she did write those notes but said she did not recall anything outside of what was written down.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 17:16
Nurse describes island detox
Ms Lloyd is now being asked her visit to Depp’s private island in 2014, when she was brought in to help oversee his detox.
In her notes, she wrote that Depp was afraid that he would never be able to function normally without drugs.
Ms Lloyd was also shown texts between herself and Heard, who was also at the island at that time.
Megan Sheets18 April 2022 17:05
Nurse recalls receiving gifts from Depp
Ms Lloyd said she began working with Depp in 2015 or 2016 after being recruited to help with his detox treatment by Dr Kipper.
She said she was paid by Dr Kipper rather than Depp directly, but said she did receive gifts from Depp: a jewellry box and a “fancy” notebook.
Ms Lloyd said she perceived the gifts as “thank yous” for her help with his…
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