Story Behind Why This US Woman Poisoned Husband's Coffee Over Time

A US woman, who was charged with attempted murder for poisoning her husband's coffee, has been sentenced to three years of probation on May 13. In August 2023, Arizona resident Melody Felicano Johnson was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault and adding harmful substances to food, drink or medicine. Roby's revelations during the investigation painted a chilling picture of his wife's motivations, claiming that she sought his demise to gain access to his death benefits.

She could have been jailed for a maximum of two years for each count. However, she pleaded guilty to two counts in April 2024 and struck a deal to avoid jail time. Her lawyer argued for leniency, citing her nearly year-long custody while unable to post her $250,000 (₹2,08,79,375) bail. 

A report in CNN stated that Johnson will also undergo mental health treatment during probation and is allowed to contact her husband in the presence of a legal team.

Woman Poisons Husband Coffee For Months

The case came to light in August 2023, when details laid bare by court documents brought to light the unnerving circumstances that led to the apprehension of the accused. The survivor, identified as Air Force official Roby Johnson, first began to detect an unusual and off-putting taste in his coffee starting in March 2023 while the couple was stationed in Germany. 

The plot took on a particularly sinister dimension when security cameras placed in their house reportedly captured footage of Melody Johnson pouring bleach into a container and then pouring liquids from that container into the coffee machine. Using pool testing strips, Roby detected alarmingly high levels of chlorine in his coffee pot. 

Rather than confront his spouse immediately, Roby ingeniously bided his time, maintaining the façade of sipping the tainted coffee until their return to Davis Monthan Air Force Base. It was then that he took decisive action by filing a police report, exposing the sinister nature of his situation.

Roby's revelations during the investigation painted a chilling picture of his wife's motivations, claiming that she sought his demise to gain access to his death benefits. CNN disclosed that the couple was engaged in a tumultuous phase in their marriage and were compelled to continue sharing a home while raising their child.