Attorney General’s office appointed as special prosecutor in Tavaris Jackson case
DELTA COUNTY, Mich. (WLUC) - The Delta County Prosecutor has announced the Michigan Attorney General’s Office will serve as special prosecutor in the case against Tavaris Jackson.
Jackson was previously bound over to Delta County Circuit Court on one count of open murder, assault of a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage/stillbirth, and felony firearm in the death of Harley Corwin and their unborn child.
According to a Friday press release from Delta County Prosecutor Lauren Wickman, the prosecution was served a motion by the defense on Oct. 30. The motion argued that Wickman could be a potential witness in the matter due to her involvement and assistance with the investigation at the scene of the search warrant execution on July 8 seeking evidence in the homicide.
Friday afternoon, TV6 requested from Delta County Circuit Court a copy of the motion to disqualify Wickman as prosecutor for the case. The motion, filed by Jackson’s defense attorney Diane Kay-Hougaboom, said videos from the search provided in the discovery process indicated that Wickman was the person who found a critical piece of evidence pertaining to the case— a pair of black slide shoes — while the search warrant was being executed.
The motion also argues that in the video, Wickman directs investigators toward that evidence, whispering, “I found the slides,” and pointing into a room. However, during the preliminary examination on Aug. 21, Wickman is noted as asking a deputy from that night if he found the slides, to which he answers, “I did.”
The defense argued that it has the right to cross-examine Wickman about these actions, saying, “Ms. Wickman’s actions at the execution of the search warrant so blurred the line between investigator and advocate that she has become a necessary witness.”
After receiving the motion, Wickman said she submitted the matter for review to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to determine if a special prosecutor should be appointed. Following its review, it was determined that the Attorney General’s Office would be assigned as the special prosecutor to continue the prosecution of Jackson.
Prosecutor Wickman said, “I want to commend law enforcement for their persistence during the investigation. I would also like to thank the family of Harley Corwin, for understanding the current situation, and knowing that the Michigan Attorney General’s Office is more than capable for the pursuit of justice for Harley and her unborn child.”
With this decision, any future court appearances, as well as any trial, will be handled by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
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