A so-called ‘expert psychiatrist’ took the stand for Amber Heard in Johnny Depp’s defamation case against the actress. The guy’s behavior was strange, to say the least. During deposition, he clearly called Mr. Depp an ‘idiot’ but denied ever doing so on the stand. Depp’s lawyer read back the transcript and things only get weirder from there.
Depp is suing Heard, his ex-wife, for $50 million over defamation he claims significantly hurt his Hollywood career. Heard has countersued for $100 million.
“I didn’t call Mr. Depp an idiot, I called that planning an ‘idiot,’” Heard’s expert psychiatrist Dr. David Spiegel said on the stand.
“I think it was in the context — you probably should read the context,” Dr. Spiegel told Depp’s legal team, explaining his deposition. “If you’re coming to some deposition … he took an overnight the night before [from Europe], and what I think I said was that, if you’re going to do a major thing for a trial that you’re involved with, I think you’d be an idiot to come in the night before.”
Depp’s attorney shot back with the transcript. “So the words, ‘So, I mean he’s an idiot,’ are mistranscribed?”
Spiegel argued the quote was missing “context.”
“Is idiot a professional opinion?” Depp’s team pressed. “Was it a psychiatric opinion?”
The expert psychiatrist conceded it was not, but again referred to “context.”
Lawyer Camille Vasquez and Depp both giggled and looked amazed during the exchange.
Watch
#JohnnyDepp’s attorney questioned #AmberHeard's expert psychiatrist on calling Depp an “idiot.” @LawCrimeNetwork pic.twitter.com/a7i7UWK3tw
— Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) May 23, 2022
The same ‘expert’ was seen earlier moving his mouth in a strange way. To me, it looked like a person ‘on’ something. I’m not sure how you would explain it so just watch:
@mculokii this is by far the worse witness. #justiceforjohnnydepp #johnnydepp #amberheard #drspiegel #fyp #foryou
I haven’t really covered the Depp-Heard case before, but I’ve followed it intensely. At the very least, I can say it’s a strange and embarrassing ordeal for the entire Heard team. If you’re not familiar and you’re looking for some sideshow type entertainment, I advise you to check it out.
Erica Carlin is an independent journalist, opinion writer and contributor to several news and opinion sources. She is based in Georgia.