Denise Johnson is the widow of veteran Daniel Johnson, who Charlie Kovac killed after Denise hired him and then shot Kovac herself.
History[]
Denise grew up in poverty and dreamed of being a restauranteur. She shared ownership of the restaurant she was opening with Daniel, who retired to cab driving after his service in the military. Daniel’s bad investments and other reckless expenditures and loan procurements left the couple with heavy debts, Denise risking losing her restaurant even if she filed for divorce.
Denise hired Kovac, a former colleague of hers at a restaurant she was employed at, to kill Daniel when he was repaying a loan shark with Denise’s money behind her back. When Kovac demanded more of a cut in Denise’s benefits than they originally agreed, Denise stole her old boss’ gun and killed Kovac with it.
Denise was only tried for Kovac’s murder due to the stronger evidence, until another would-be hired gun, Dewey Lattimer, was found to have shot Daniel months ago at Denise’s behest, then sold him out to the cops. Latimer is arranged for testimony, pressuring Denise to take a plea deal with her credibility thrown out once her motive would be establish for any and all courts she could face.
Denise was found guilty of the premeditated murder of Kovac and imprisoned, likely facing additional charges for her other crimes afterwards. (L&O: “Purple Heart”)