Friday, July 18, 2025 - A Las Vegas woman who previously pleaded guilty to beheading
her boyfriend stunned the courtroom Thursday, July 17, by declaring her
innocence and claiming she has proof.
Devyn Michaels, 47, admitted in September to second-degree
murder with a deadly weapon in the 2023 killing of her on-again, off-again
boyfriend, 46-year-old Johnathan Willette. The plea deal offered her the
possibility of parole after 15 years in prison.
But during what was supposed to be her sentencing hearing,
Michaels, also known as Tracee Tavarez, turned directly to District Court Judge
Tierra Jones and delivered an emotional outburst.
"I know
my family doesn't believe I'm innocent, and I understand that," she said
through tears. "But I can actually prove my innocence. I actually can. And
I’m not going to stop fighting to prove it."
She then accused her legal team of steering her in the wrong
direction.
"I
don’t know how to fix any of this anymore," Michaels continued. "I
keep listening to what everyone says is the best thing to do‘just follow this
advice’—but it never turns out the way they promise."
Her emotional claims triggered a swift reaction from Chief
Deputy District Attorney John Giordani, who said he was "not
comfortable" with her allegations and agreed to let her withdraw the plea
deal.
Judge Jones warned Michaels that going to trial meant
risking a conviction for first-degree murder. Despite the risks, Michaels
insisted she wanted to proceed.
Michaels was arrested in August 2023 after Willette’s mother
found his decapitated body in bed at his Henderson home. When police arrived,
they discovered the body still "smoking" and reeking of chemicals
like bleach and ammonia.
An investigation revealed a disturbing trail: officers
recovered Willette’s wallet, social security card, keys, and a blood-covered
phone at Michaels' residence. They believe she transported Willette’s head to
her Las Vegas home and disposed of it in a trash can. The head was never
recovered.
Initially, Michaels denied any involvement, claiming she
left Willette’s home the night he died. But under questioning, she later
admitted to striking him with a wooden stick after, she claimed, he tried to
force her into a sex act. She said her intent was only to hospitalize him.
When a detective asked if it was possible she killed him and simply didn’t remember, Michaels replied, “Very possible,” according to KSNV. She also alleged that Willette had been abusive and accused him of disturbing behavior involving his children, claims police included in their arrest report.
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