Son testifies he had affair with stepmom, who is now on trial for killing dad in Henderson

Deviere Willette, whose father was found decapitated in his Henderson home in 2023, told jurors Thursday that he never mustered up the courage to admit he was having an affair with his stepmother — the same woman now on trial for killing his father.

Willette, now 29, testified that he and Devyn Michaels, 47, were married and living together when Michaels was arrested on suspicion of killing his father, Johnathan Willette, 46. Deviere Willette said he was first introduced to Michaels when she was his father’s girlfriend, and starting when he was 19, developed a sexual relationship that culminated in a marriage with her.

Johnathan Willette and Michaels had two daughters, who are currently under the age of 13, and had an on-again, off-again relationship, according to attorneys. Johnathan Willette was planning to move into the house where Michaels lived with Deviere Willette.

Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani said Johnathan Willette had custody of the daughters, but that he and Michaels were planning on “reuniting” and living together for the sake of the children.

“I was trying to fill the shoes of my father — shoes that I had no business filling,” Deviere Willette said. Michaels and Deviere Willette both initially told police that it was a marriage of convenience and for insurance purposes. The two are still married, though Deviere Willette said he hoped to get a divorce after the trial ended.

‘Breakup’ call from jail

Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani, while questioning Deviere Willette, apologized multiple times for what the prosecutor said was “airing out his dirty laundry.”

Giordani then played audio recordings of phone calls Michaels made to Deviere Willette while she was in custody at the Clark County Detention Center.

“They have no evidence, no murder weapon. They have absolutely nothing on me,” Michaels told Deviere Willette during the call.

“There’s a lot of news articles about you and what happened … I don’t know what to believe,” he responded, adding that he was leaving for California, where he had lived previously. “One article was very graphic and points that you did it. If you did, I can’t be here.”

After the audio was played, Michaels, sitting with her attorneys, held her head down and reached for a tissue. Giordani asked if the call was essentially a “breakup conversation,” and Deviere Willette replied, “Yes.”

Deviere Willette denied having any involvement with his father’s killing.

‘Downplayed’ the relationship

Robert Draskovich, Michaels’ attorney, cross-examined Deviere Willette and took issue with his testimony, saying that the witness had, in previous interviews with detectives, “downplayed” the depth and passion of his relationship with his wife

Draskovich showed photos from Michaels’ and Deviere Willette’s wedding, in which Michaels wore a white dress and a veil, and Deviere Willette wore a suit. He asked if both parties wore wedding rings and had a “traditional marriage,” to which Deviere Willette replied, “Yes.”

“You’re getting more and more truthful concerning the nature of your relationship with Devyn, the further it gets away from you having been charged with (the) murder,” Draskovich said.

Earlier Thursday, Deviere Willette described his relationship with his father as “fine” and said he loved him.

Draskovich said that there were tensions between Johnathan Willette and Deviere Willette, and also said that Deviere Willette originally told detectives that the two had never gotten along.

“You agree with me that you lie under oath if it fits you?” the defense attorney asked.

“No, sir. I had become a very big alcoholic, so it’s all a little fuzzy,” Deviere Willette replied. “I will answer truthfully to what I can.”

Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.