A psychiatrist who testified in the trial between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp is now heavily criticized himself. Because the doctor had made his diagnosis without ever having met the actor.

The defamation trial between ex-husbands Amber Heard and Johnny Depp is in its final stages. Heard’s attorneys continue to do everything possible to present evidence that Depp is an abuser. So on Monday, the team put psychiatrist David Spiegel on the witness stand to assess the actor’s character. What he had to say about Depp had it all. According to Spiegel, Depp shows five out of nine narcissistic personality traits – which he believes include a lack of empathy. Following his appearance in court, criticism of the psychiatrist himself, who now has to put up with accusations of unprofessionalism, rained down. Some critics are even demanding that the doctor’s license be revoked. The reason for this is the way Spiegel arrived at his judgment – because he never examined Depp himself.

Depp is a narcissist, according to Spiegel in court. The actor’s behavior is consistent with that of someone who “has both a substance abuse disorder and the behavior of someone who is abusive in intimate relationships.” Afterwards, Spiegel explained that Depp’s drug use – the psychiatrist listed a number of drugs that Depp is said to have taken, ranging from alcohol and marijuana to cocaine, LSD, ecstasy and opiates – had significantly damaged his memory. In addition, Depp has “significant problems” if a desire is not satisfied quickly.

Psychiatrist evaluates Depp based on films

If you add illegal substances to a situation where domestic violence is an issue, Spiegel explained, Depp’s brain can no longer stop him from physically attacking Heard, even though such behavior is “wrong.” One of many hearty statements from the psychiatrist. In his assessments, the doctor from Virginia repeatedly referred to supposed evidence such as a video by Depp and statements by others. This did not go unnoticed in court. During cross-examination, Spiegel had to admit that he had asked for it, but ultimately never spoke to Depp himself. And that he made all his psychiatric assessments on the basis of the evidence presented in the process, statements by third parties and various appearances by Depp. Apparently he was also referring to Depp’s acting performance in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.

A treat for the many, many die-hard Depp fans. His court appearance earned the psychiatrist a full-blown shitstorm. His page on the medical website WebMD has been inundated with one-star reviews, according to NBC News. However, many of the ratings on Google Reviews have since been deleted. The doctor is now accused of working unprofessionally. Some are even demanding on the Internet that Spiegel’s license as a psychiatrist should be revoked. One should, according to an online comment, “never give medical [advice] unless you have personally examined and interviewed the patient.” One commentator wrote that he couldn’t believe that Spiegel watched a film to make a diagnosis. Another notes that medical advice should never be given without personally examining and interviewing the patient.

Top model Kate Moss is expected to testify in court this Wednesday. Moss dated Depp for a number of years in the ’90s. It was a relationship with many depths. However, it is believed that she will contradict previous statements by Heard and testify in Depp’s favour. She could become his trump card in the ongoing process.

Quelle: “NBC News”, “DailyMail”