LAS VEGAS—The trial of former porn star Nikki Fairchild began Wednesday at the Clark County District Court in Las Vegas, where she stands accused of decapitating the father of her children, with her own defense being focused on shifting the blame to her former stepson, whom she married at one point.
Henderson Police Department arrested Fairchild, 47, on August 15, 2023. Police allege she killed and decapitated her late husband, Johnathon Willette, 46, in their home in Henderson on August 7 of that year. She initially pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge in 2024.
As a part of that deal, should would have been eligible for parole after serving 15 years in prison. Fairchild, according to reports, attempted to revoke her plea deal and argued that she was innocent of the charges. This led to the current jury trial.
If she is found guilty, she could face lifelong imprisonment within the Nevada state prison system.
The court seated a full jury, with two alternates, on Wednesday, reports local CBS affiliate KLAS. The trial then began with opening statements. Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani, the lead prosecutor of the case, told jurors to be prepared for a "wild ride" as he shared crime scene photos during opening remarks.
Willette's decapitated body was featured in the photos Giordani shared with the jury. Note that Willette's head and the murder weapon were never recovered. A working theory by law enforcement, per the prosecution, is that Fairchild hit Willette with a stick, then decapitated him. She then poured chemicals over his body, they said.
The motivation, they allege, was to eliminate Willette from the picture so that she could live a stable life with her children. Deviere Willette, her stepson and biological son to Johnathon, reportedly was in a romantic relationship with Fairchild. Deviere and Fairchild married in 2021, despite her having children with Deviere's father.
Robert Draskovich, the attorney leading Fairchild's defense in the case, told the jury that Deviere was the killer. While never named as a suspect, the officers investigating the case interviewed Deviere several times. Draskovich said to the jury, "Look at the motivations, and find her not guilty."
Draskovich argued that even though Fairchild and Johnathon Willette were not involved, they were in the process of moving back in together. Fairchild's attorney further alleges that in the days leading up to Willette's murder, Fairchild messaged Deviere Willette, calling him out for supposedly cheating and asking for a divorce.
“What happened on Aug. 7, 2023, was Deviere was getting kicked out; he was no longer going to be in this relationship because dad, the dad he hated, was coming in and not only taking his home, but taking his wife,” Draskovich said in Fairchild's defense.
The cellphone and video evidence don't place Deviere at the crime scene, the prosecutor told the jury. In response, Daskovich said that Deviere worked as a home security system technician, had access to power saws, and was able to cover his tracks.
Fairchild was active in porn from about 2000 to 2012. She has starred in scenes for brands and studios including Elegant Angel, Reality Kings, Adam & Eve and Wicked Pictures.
