Johnny Depp, Amber Heard Trial Explained: Why Heard Was Awarded $2 Million In Defamation Suit A Virginia jury on June 1 ruled that actor Amber Heard defamed ex-husband and actor Johnny Depp. The jury also ruled in favour of Amber Heard in some aspects of her counter-suit against Depp. The jury said Depp should receive $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. However, the state law caps the amount for punitive damages at $350,000, meaning Depp was awarded a total of