A Delta County jury yesterday found Tavaris Jackson guilty of murdering 22-year-old Harley Corwin, delivering a verdict that closes a case that has kept many in the Upper Peninsula on edge since Corwin’s body was discovered in 2023. The decision capped a weeklong trial that began earlier this month after years of delays and pretrial appeals.
The guilty verdict was first reported by My Up Now, which shared video of the jury’s announcement and noted that jurors deliberated for more than a week before reaching their decision. Local coverage of the trial indicates that sentencing and other post-verdict dates will be set by the Delta County Circuit Court.
Forensic Evidence Takes Center Stage
During the trial, prosecutors leaned heavily on forensic testimony that connected Corwin to biological stains and items recovered from vehicles, including a pair of Air Jordan slides and work gloves, according to the Daily Press. The Mining Gazette reported that Michigan State Police experts walked jurors through how the scene was processed, including the documentation of tire impressions, while noting that investigators did not recover the alleged firearm.
Timeline And Charges
Prosecutors told jurors that Corwin was reported missing and later found dead on July 8, 2023, near O.B. Fuller Park in Ford River Township, according to opening statements covered by Upper Michigan's Source. Jackson faced counts that included open murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and assault resulting in the death of a fetus. The case was prosecuted by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
What Comes Next For Jackson
With the conviction now on the record, the case shifts to post-verdict scheduling and sentencing in Delta County Circuit Court. An open murder conviction can carry the possibility of life in prison. Reporters following the proceedings say prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to return to court in Escanaba to set sentencing dates and handle any post-verdict motions, according to the Daily Press.
