Woman accused in common-law husband's death in court

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Thursday, August 3, 2017

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A woman accused of shooting and killing her common-law husband appeared in court Thursday morning.

Police say Debra Davis, 58, surrendered to police Wednesday after Rodney Johnson was fatally shot. She was apparently sitting in a car while confronting the 49-year-old Johnson when she allegedly fired a round, hitting Johnson in the lower torso.

Johnson was hanging out with a woman identified as his girlfriend in front of a friend's home, in the 9400 block of Cathedral, at the time of the shooting.

In court, prosecutors alleged Davis pepper-sprayed Johnson during an argument sparked by Johnson being with another woman.

Prosecutors say Davis drove off, then turned her vehicle around. She drove up to Johnson and shot him once before leaving, police say.

Johnson was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital, where he died.

She told investigators Johnson was holding a baseball bat, but he never hit her with it.

Bond was set at $50,000. Davis due in court Friday morning.

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Eyewitness News has learned Davis is not yet divorced. It turns out, Davis has been married to Rogers Davis, Jr. since 1985. Divorce attorneys tell us the couple has been separated for some time. However, Davis only filed for divorce against her husband last year.

The divorce is still pending. Up until recently, Rogers Davis was still hoping to reconcile with his wife. Through his divorce attorney, the estranged husband declined to comment. The divorce attorney also tells Eyewitness News that Davis met her now dead common-law husband through their children, who are married to each other.

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