ESCANABA — The trial for an alleged murderer is still not set, roughly 18 months after the alleged incident occurred.

Tavaris Jackson, of Escanaba, is accused of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend, 22-year-old Harley Corwin, and leaving her body in O.B. Fuller Park.

The alleged incident took place in July of 2023. It was initially scheduled to go to trial at the beginning of August 2024 but was postponed following the defense’s motion to stay as they await the decision of the Court of Appeals regarding particular testimony and whether it should be admissible.

The trial date was moved to Jan. 13, but could not move forward with proceedings as the Delta County Circuit Court is still awaiting the Court of Appeals decision.

According to the circuit court, scheduling for oral arguments regarding the appeal has not been set yet at the Court of Appeals. Delta County Circuit Court cannot set a trial date until after the appeal is over.

The defense’s appeal stems from testimony related to now-retired Det. Sgt. Tom Lewis.

Lewis had an inappropriate interaction with a potential witness that Defense Attorney Diane Kay-Hougaboom, who is representing Jackson, argued would call into question Lewis’ character.

Judge John Economopoulos rejected the potential testimony, saying the incident “would take us down a rabbit hole that would confuse the jury, perhaps irreparably, and it could mislead the jury as well.”

“The court believes that although the evidence would be relevant, I don’t believe it would pass the standard,” Econompoulous said, referencing court rules, which prohibit evidence — even if relevant — from being presented in certain cases.

Specifically, the court’s evidentiary rules include “extrinsic evidence is not admissible to prove specific instances of a witness’s conduct in order to attack or support the witness’s character for truthfulness.

The Daily Press will continue to monitor the case’s status as it awaits the decision of the Court of Appeals.