Woman found guilty in killing of man found decapitated in Henderson

Jurors on Friday evening returned a guilty verdict against a woman in the killing of her on-and-off boyfriend, who was found decapitated in Henderson.

Devyn Michaels, 47, was married to the son of Johnathan Willette, the 46-year-old who was killed. Willette’s body was discovered in his mother’s house in August 2023.

Michaels was found guilty of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon Friday evening after the jury deliberated for about two hours.

The jury heard Michaels admitted to police that she was giving Willette a back massage when she hit him in the head with an object and he went limp. Prosecutors said she admitted to the murder but minimized the confession by saying he continued to breathe.

A detective had also testified outside the presence of jurors that Michaels indicated she disposed of the head in the trash.

Jurors declined to comment after the verdict, but defense attorney Robert Draskovich said jurors told attorneys they had doubts until they learned of Michaels’ confession.

“Any time there’s a confession, it’s a difficult case to defend,” he said.

During the trial, he suggested there was a power imbalance between Michaels and police interviewing her.

The defense lawyer also suggested Deviere Willette, Willette’s son, committed the crime.

“I am extremely grateful that the jury saw Deviere’s innocence and saw the overwhelming evidence of Devyn’s guilt,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani after the verdict.

Deviere Willette has denied having any involvement in the killing of his father.

Michaels previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a deal that specified a sentence of 15 years to life in prison but withdrew her plea after insisting she could prove her innocence.

Prosecutors and Michaels’ attorney mentioned Michaels’ relationship with Deviere Willette in closing arguments before the jury left at 4 p.m. to start deliberating.

“Devyn is a master manipulator and that is shown through the evidence,” said Deputy District Attorney Brittni Griffith. “This is a woman in her late 30s that decided to begin a sexual relationship with her 19-year-old stepson, who had just lost his virginity.”

Attorneys have said Johnathan Willette was planning to move into Michaels’ house, essentially displacing Deviere Willette.

Prosecutors are “trying to paint her as this devious, manipulative, conniving temptress,” Draskovich said. “But think about that, the flip side, 19 years old. When we talk about motive, what drives a person to murder? Is it not passion of a young man, his first love, his first love that’s coming to an end when dad’s coming in and moving him, the dad that he said was never there for him?”

He went on to discuss literary examples, including the story of Oedipus, the Greek mythological figure who killed his father and married his mother.

Griffith suggested Michaels was motivated by Willette receiving full, primary custody of the daughters they shared.

Draskovich said the girls were already living with Michaels.

Michaels made inconsistent statements, Griffith argued, indicating, for example, that she had nothing that belonged to Johnathan Willette when she had his Social Security card. Johnathan Willette’s bloody phone was also found at Michaels’ home, Griffith said.

Police testified the phone was located in the driveway of Michaels’ house.

Draskovich asked the jury whether it was believable Michaels was “sophisticated” and “cunning” about the murder and decapitation, but dropped his phone in the driveway. He also questioned whether the phone screen really contained blood.

“John’s droplet of blood being on that phone convicts the defendant even without her confession,” Giordani argued to jurors.

Griffith said an expert testified a knife and mechanically powered saw were used for the decapitation. The decapitation followed Willette’s murder, the deputy district attorney told the jury.

“There’s a lot of discussion during trial about whether it’s possible for a woman to do this,” said Griffith, adding that the expert said a mechanical saw is designed for any person to use.

“Women can do anything,” she said.

Michaels’ sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8.

Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X.