LAS VEGAS (CN) — Devyn Michaels, standing in a Las Vegas courtroom Thursday for her sentencing in the death and decapitation of her children's father, announced she’d never stop fighting to prove her innocence.
Then things went sideways.
“No one in the family feels that I am innocent at any point,” said Michaels, who pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder in the 2023 death of Jonathan Willette. “But I can actually prove my innocence, and I am not going to stop fighting to prove my innocence.”
Michaels’ words led Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani to say he’d let her out of her guilty plea — a move Michaels had tried herself, but failed. Eighth Judicial District Judge Tierra Jones then ensured whether Michaels wanted to face a jury on a first-degree murder charge or if she’d prefer to speak with her attorney, Clark Patrick, before proceeding.
“I don’t want to talk to Mr. Patrick,” Michaels said, adding she wanted a trial.
Michaels spoke as part of her scheduled sentencing hearing. Jones had just confirmed the days of credit Michaels would receive for her sentence and checked the restitution amounts for victims.
The judge then turned her attention to Michaels, giving her a chance to talk.
Michaels said Willette deserved to have the right person behind bars.
“I can show that I was trying to help him,” Michaels said, adding that she knows Willette’s family is angry and that she shares their anger.
“And it’s not right,” Michaels said. “It really isn’t. I’ve seen so much. It’s just terrible.
“I’m so sorry,” she added moments later. “I didn’t do this. I didn’t know this would end up like this.”
At one point, Michaels spoke directly to Giordani, saying “they” altered things. That drew a rebuke from the judge, who told Michaels to address her, not the prosecutor.
Michaels had sought to withdraw her guilty plea two months after making it. In a hearing last month, her attorney suggested someone had tampered with evidence.
At that hearing, Giordani elicited testimony from Michaels' prior attorney, who said no indication existed that someone had tampered with evidence. Giordani noted that Michaels said in an interview that “she needed the victim out of the way” because of a child custody issue. She also said Willette tried to force her to perform a sex act on him.
Jones denied Michaels' motion to withdraw her plea on Monday.
Describing the crime to the judge at Thursday’s hearing, Giordani said Michaels killed Willette and put chemicals on his body, causing it to burn. She admitted to striking the fatal blow, but not to decapitating him.
Willette’s head was never recovered.
Two days after the slaying, Michaels appeared in court on an unrelated issue. At that time, Michaels said she had stayed out of trouble, Giordani said.
“Walked right out of the courthouse and then was developed as a suspect,” Giordani said of the murder case.
Michaels said she’d listened to people’s advice in the case, though nothing turned out as they said it would.
“I don’t know how to fix anything anymore,” Michaels said. “I really don’t.”
Patrick, Michaels’ attorney, said he wanted to withdraw as her attorney, which Jones granted. Noting the case is two years old, the judge said she’d contact the Office of Appointed Counsel to ensure Michaels received a new attorney quickly.
“This case has been delayed,” Jones said, setting the next hearing for July 31.
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