Denise Calvo: Murder Suspect

Tales of illicit affairs, heavy drug use, prostitutes, a strained marriage -- no wonder police are suspicious

A A A Comments By Kirk Nielsen Thursday, May 6 2004

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Is it true that your husband threatened to kill someone who you claim robbed you?

Marquese Williams told police that in May 2003 Denise was mugged while in her car on a nighttime visit to the black Grove to buy crack. "Some guys came up to the car and pulled her out and tried to rob her," Williams said. "And she jumped back into the car and she ran over one of the guy's bicycle."

The Miami Herald

Suspect Anthony Craig Lee (seated) observes Denise Calvo at the witness stand: Were they partners in crime?

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Verneka Lee provided the detectives with more details about that incident. Previously, she said, Williams had interacted with Denise and José separately and had not known they were married until an enraged José arrived shortly after the mugging. "I seen her husband walking up," Verneka recounted. "Me and Marquese [Williams] were out there together. [José] was very upset because he said, 'Somebody just robbed my wife and beat her up.' He was coming to retaliate. And that's when Marquese realized that Denise and José were husband and wife."

Denise herself learned something new that night, according to Verneka. "I told her that her husband and Marquese had been going around looking for hookers for her husband," Verneka noted. "She was like in disbelief." Verneka also told police that Williams was Denise's preferred cocaine courier and that she suspected the two were having sex regularly.

When Barrar finished his litany of questions, Denise Calvo left the courtroom, accompanied by her lawyer Michael Rosen. They were joined by her father Michael Angelo Caligiuri, whom federal authorities once labeled an "armed and dangerous" member of the Gambino organized crime family. (He was released from prison in 2002 after serving about five years for racketeering and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.) Mr. Caligiuri wandered off, leaving Calvo and Rosen to march down the hallway toward a horde of television reporters and cameras. Neither she nor her lawyer had anything to say.

Earlier in the bond hearing, Barrar had questioned Det. Ervens Ford, and in the process revealed another important line of inquiry they will likely pursue at trial.

You do not know what gun was used to kill the deceased?

Ford replied: "The answer to that is: correct."

That bullet could have come from Denise Calvo's gun?

"Objection!" shouted prosecutor Gail Levine, arguing that the question called for speculation.

"Sustained," replied the judge.

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