Yesterday, (May 7th) a Brevard County jury convicted JOHN FRANCIS DWYER (57) of First Degree Premeditated Murder in the April 30th, 2014 death of his live-in girlfriend Joan Meta Justis (52). DWYER was found to have strangled Justis and then fled the couple's home in Cypress Cove Apartments, 7667 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office learned of the murder and located Justis's body after an attorney hired to represent DWYER, (Brian Onek) reported the death. A subsequent investigation identified DWYER as the suspect and he was arrested May 4th, 2014 and charged with Justis's murder.

In a twist of events, Brian Onek, who was fired by DWYER as his attorney, testified in the trial and helped prosecutors obtain the conviction. Assistant State Attorney Russ Bausch who oversaw and directed the nearly four year long prosecution said "On behalf of the victim's family and our office, we are very grateful for the attentive and dedicated job of the jury." He also said "The agonizing four year wait for the family to have DWYER answer for the brutal murder of Joan Justis is finally over."

Judge David Dugan sentenced DWYER to Life in Prison without the possibility of parole.

Todd Brown
Public Information &
Communications
(321) 617-7310
(321) 704-0220 Mobile

Office of the State Attorney
18th Judicial Circuit
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Building D
Viera, Fl. 32940