HAPPY DAYS - WINKLER TESTIFIES IN RITTER TRIAL

LATEST: Former HAPPY DAYS star HENRY WINKLER wrapped up his testimony in the ongoing JOHN RITTER wrongful death trial by telling the media he's still grieving the loss of his old pal. Winkler was in court in Glendale, California on Wednesday morning (13Feb08) helping Ritter's widow Amy Yasbeck prove the late actor's death could have been avoided if doctors at the Providence Street Joseph Medical Center hadn't misdiagnosed the star's heart condition. Winkler, who was working with Ritter on TV sitcom 8 Simple Rules on the day he was taken ill in 2003, told the court he still remembers the pain he felt when he heard his longtime friend had died. He told reporters outside court, "I couldn't comprehend it. It was like they were speaking from another planet. We kept repeating over, 'What? What?'" In court, Winkler insisted his late friend would have continued working in TV and cinema for many years if he had been properly treated by doctors on the day he died. The actor maintained Ritter's death cost his family millions in future earnings. Ritter's wife and his eldest children are suing two doctors for $67 million (GBP33.5 million) for misdiagnosing Ritter's torn aorta.