A Nevada murder trial took a shocking turn this week when a 29-year-old man admitted to having a sexual relationship with his stepmother that began when he was just 19 years old.
Disturbing Testimony in Courtroom
Deviere Willette gave evidence on Thursday that he started the intimate relationship with Devyn Michaels, now 47, approximately ten years ago while he was still a teenager. The court heard how this relationship would eventually lead to marriage in 2021, though Willette expressed regret about this decision during his testimony.
Prosecutors presented a chilling narrative to jurors, alleging that Michaels beheaded Willette's father, Jonathan, on August 7, 2023, to remove him as an obstacle to her relationship with his son. According to Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani, Michaels saw a future with Deviere Willette and their children that required Jonathan to be 'out of the picture'.
Gruesome Crime Details Emerge
The prosecution displayed stomach-churning crime scene photographs showing Jonathan Willette's headless body. Police evidence indicated that Michaels had beaten the victim with a stick before decapitating him and pouring chemicals on his remains.
The murder weapon and Jonathan's head have never been recovered, with investigators believing municipal trash services may have unknowingly collected the missing head. The crime occurred at Jonathan's home in Henderson, Nevada.
Although Michaels and Jonathan Willette were never married, they shared two children together and were reportedly in the process of moving back in together when the murder occurred.
Legal Strategy and Defence Claims
Robert Draskovich, Michaels' defence attorney, presented a different version of events, suggesting the relationship between Michaels and Deviere Willette had deteriorated before the killing. Draskovich claimed Michaels wanted a divorce and had called Willette a 'liar' and 'cheater' days before the murder.
The defence lawyer also highlighted that Willette worked as a home-security system technician with access to power saws, though investigators found no evidence placing him at the crime scene through cellphone or video records.
Willette testified that he was living with Michaels when his father was killed but denied any involvement in the death.
Plea Deal Reversal and Ongoing Trial
The case took another unexpected turn when Michaels initially accepted a plea agreement that would have made her eligible for parole after 15 years in prison. However, she later revoked this plea, leading to the current trial.
The judge accepted this reversal but warned Michaels that she now faces the possibility of a first-degree murder conviction with much more severe consequences.
Court records revealed additional context to the case, showing that Michaels and Jonathan Willette had been engaged in a custody battle before the murder, which resulted in Deviere Willette obtaining full custody of their daughters.
Michaels, who also uses the names Nikki Fairchild and Tracee Tavarez, had previous legal troubles, including a child abuse arrest in 2022 after childcare workers reported bruising on one of her children's legs. She received a one-year probation sentence for this charge on August 9, 2023, just two days after the alleged murder.
The trial continues as prosecutors work to prove their case that Michaels committed this brutal killing to pursue a life with her stepson-turned-husband.
