Man gets 34 years in prison for trying to hire hit man to kill ex-wife
An unrepentant and unapologetic John F. Johnson received a 34-year prison sentence Tuesday for soliciting his ex-wife's murder.
The 42-year-old Chicago man, who acted as his own attorney at his April trial, said he was the victim of a conspiracy during a rambling 10-minute speech that closed the sentencing hearing.
"There will be a time when the rabbit will have the gun and it won't be no fun. But I'm not talking about a gun-gun," he said near the end of his closing arguments to Judge Daniel Guerin.
Johnson was facing a maximum of 40 years in prison for trying to arrange his wife's murder while in custody at the DuPage County jail in Wheaton. He was under arrest for violating an order of protection his ex-wife had taken out against him following their divorce.
Johnson was caught on a jail phone arranging the murder with a DuPage County sheriff's detective who was posing as a hitman. He is heard in the recordings telling the fake hitman that he wants his ex-wife shot twice in the head. The detective asks five different times if Johnson wants to back out, but Johnson never does.
Johnson argued that his threats against his ex-wife were mere jailhouse bravado. He claimed he was set up by authorities who used a fellow inmate to mediate the hit.
The jury spent less than an hour deliberating before returning a guilty verdict.
Guerin said the lengths that Johnson was willing to go to carry out his ex-wife's murder were "persistent and determined" and not "just idle threats." The judge said Johnson's criminal history also weighed in on his sentencing decision.
"Your criminal history demonstrates an inability or disinterest in obeying the law," Guerin said.
Johnson's ex-wife also read a statement at the hearing. The couple was married for barely a year when the divorce was granted. She said Johnson lied to her about his criminal history and attacked her with a frying pan during the fight that led to her seeking a divorce.
Prosecutors Demetri Demopoulos and Michael Pawl asked the judge for the maximum sentence.
"His actions have caused (his ex-wife) tremendous pain," Demopoulos said. "There's really nothing we can do to bring back her feeling of safety. He's earned the maximum."
Two of Johnson's ex-girlfriends testified about being physically abused by the man during their relationships.
Johnson claimed the women were lying about being struck, calling the women's testimony and his ex-wife's statement "foolishness."
"Maybe people are underestimating my physical strength, but if I swing a frying pan at your head and hit you in the leg, you would need medical attention," he said. "I'm not trying to brag."