Sky News
'Depp was a narcissist'
Psychiatrist David R Spiegel is giving expert evidence on behalf of Amber Heard's team. He says he has reviewed various notes, including those of Johnny Depp's private doctor, Dr Kipper, as well as "
councillor notes, therapist notes, psychologist notes and evaluations, and videos."
Dr Spiegel describes one form of intimate partner violence (IPV), saying: "
Psychological aggression would be engaging in behaviour with the sole purpose of physically or emotionally harming someone with the aim of control."
He is asked about career control and says "
preventing someone to succeed [in their career] would be a form of psychological aggression". The court has previous heard that Depp allegedly discouraged Heard from taking roles, and didn't like her working.
The doctor says both substance abuse and lack of behavioural control and impulsiveness are "
risk factors" for IPV. He goes on to say "
writing on wall and mirrors, writing in blood, damaging furniture... all that would be factors in that". We have previously seen images of such house damage which Heard alleges was carried out by Depp in a rage.
Dr Spiegel goes on to describe narcissism, saying it's characterised by "
poor self control, rapid mood shifts, an undue sense of admiration, the worship of power and control and lack of empathy". He says "
people are kept around as long as they are useful to them [the narcissist], they have a large sense of entitlement, and a need for praise." He says all those traits would be included in a narcistic personality and raise the risk of IPV.
Heard's lawyer prompts: "
And being envious, having fragile self esteem?"
Dr Spiegel agrees.
Heard's lawyer asks what parts of Depp's behaviour correlate with being narcissistic, and he answers: "
The fact that Ms Heard owed him, and only wanted to be together with him because of his fame was an example of that. The jealousy was part of that."
He goes on: "
In order to maintain any form of self control, a narcissist has to have lack of empathy... That's another facet".
The doctor also says gaslighting, and the perpetrator blaming the victim of abuse themselves is very usual.