Sharjah24 – Reuters: A parade of expert witnesses testified on Amber Heard's behalf on Monday (May 23), saying that Johnny Depp's behavior was consistent with narcissism and rebuffing a number of his claims.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Moore testified that photographs and x-rays of Depp's finger which was severed in Australia could not have been injured by a vodka bottle, which Depp claimed that Heard threw at him. Moore said the clinical presentation and the radiographic images showed a crush injury.
Psychiatrist Dr. David Spiegel said that based on his examination of the evidence, he believes Depp has traits consistent with narcissism, which he said is common in abusers. Spiegel, however, never spoke to Depp directly. Spiegel also contradicted earlier expert testimony produced by Depp's team that claimed that Heard had traits consistent with borderline personality disorder. Instead, he said, her traits were consistent with Battered Wife Syndrome, which he said was a type of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The legal case hinges on a December 2018 opinion piece by Heard that appeared in the Washington Post. The article never mentioned Depp by name, but his lawyer told jurors it was clear Heard was referencing him. The couple's divorce was finalized in 2017.
Depp, once among Hollywood's biggest stars, said Heard's allegations cost him "everything." A new "Pirates" movie was put on hold, and Depp was replaced in the "Fantastic Beasts" film franchise, a "Harry Potter" spinoff.
Heard's attorneys have argued that she told the truth and that her opinion was protected free speech under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. They have counter-sued.
Entertainment expert Kathryn Arnold claimed that negative publicity has cost Heard USD $45 to $50 million dollars in lost wages over a period of years.
Closing arguments are scheduled for May 27.
Less than two years ago, Depp lost a libel case against the Sun, a British tabloid that labeled him a "wife beater." A London High Court judge ruled that he had repeatedly assaulted Heard.