Three people accused of plotting to kill Macomb Township businessman Eddie Jawad are due in court today for a preliminary examination that will decide whether prosecutors have enough evidence to send the case to trial. The hearing is set for 9 a.m. at the 41A District Court in Shelby Township.
Prosecutors say the defendants, 32-year-old Jasan Martin, 39-year-old Rachard Huffman, and 44-year-old Dawn Huffman, face charges that include conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and embezzlement. Martin is also charged with multiple weapons offenses. According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, the joint preliminary exam was rescheduled for Feb. 19–20 and will begin at 9 a.m. each day.
Prosecutors say Dawn Huffman, who they allege worked for Jawad for more than 22 years as his office manager, is accused of using a company card meant for utility bills to siphon more than $100,000 from Jawad Investments. Authorities say that when that alleged embezzlement was discovered, it became the motive behind the ambush, according to ClickOnDetroit.
How investigators say bird poop helped crack the case
Investigators say traffic and surveillance cameras tracked a black Ford Escape after the ambush. Detectives then used distinctive physical markings, including bird droppings, brake-dust residue and smudges, to match the SUV even after its license plate was swapped. FOX 2 Detroit reports that Martin was arrested during a raid in Warren after police executed multiple search warrants.
Court timeline and what is at stake
The preliminary exam is the stage where prosecutors present evidence to a judge to show probable cause. If the judge decides the evidence clears that bar, the case moves to Circuit Court for trial. Earlier filings and news reports state that Martin has been charged as a habitual offender, a designation that can significantly increase potential penalties, and that courts set six-figure bonds for the Huffmans at arraignment. As detailed by ClickOnDetroit, those filings list life-level exposure for the murder-conspiracy counts.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido has called conspiracy to commit murder among the most evil and reprehensible of all crimes and praised the investigation for uncovering evidence that led to the arrests, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. The office also emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Jawad was grazed by gunfire, treated at a hospital and is recovering, officials say. The Macomb County Sheriff told reporters there is no ongoing risk to the public and urged anyone with video or tips to call 586-307-9358, according to WXYZ.
