Sophie Vogelman, Daily Press photo Sandals associated with Tarvaris Jackson were shown as evidence in his murder trial Friday in Escanaba.

ESCANABA – More witnesses took the stand Friday in the Tavaris Jackson murder trial in Escanaba. Witnesses included a latent print examiner, a forensic biologist and an EMS paramedic. The 35-year-old Escanaba man faces one count of open murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend, 22-year-old Harley Corwin. Corwin’s body was discovered in July 2023 near a county park in Ford River. He additionally faces one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and one count of assault resulting in the death of a fetus. The murder and fetal death charges carry a maximum life sentence.

On Friday, Sarah Rambadt, a forensic scientist in the biology unit at the Michigan State Police (MSP) Grand Rapids Forensic Laboratory, testified about DNA evidence analyzed in the case. Rambadt explained her unit receives evidence that has already been screened for biological material, such as blood, and analyzes samples that may be suitable for DNA testing.

Among the evidence examined were a pair of Air Jordan slide sandals and work gloves recovered from Jackson’s truck. Multiple areas on the slides and gloves had previously tested positive for blood during earlier testing with some stains confirmed to be human blood. According to Rambadt, DNA testing showed Harley Corwin to be the most likely contributor to the stains found on several items linked to Jackson, including red-brown stains on the Air Jordan slides and a pair of black mechanic-style work gloves.

Expert witness Justina Hass, a former forensic scientist with the State Police Forensic Laboratory in Marquette, also testified Friday about fingerprint evidence in the case. Haas worked as an examiner in the lab’s latent print unit in 2023 and was asked by investigators to analyze Corwin’s vehicle for fingerprints. The investigating agency, previously reported to be the Delta County Sheriff’s Office, requested analysis of both the interior and exterior of the vehicle. Hass noted investigators did not request latent print analysis of the truck known to belong to Jackson.

During her examination of Corwin’s vehicle, Hass recovered 21 latent print lifts and documented 123 images of potential prints from the scene. She said she was able to identify a total of 16 fingerprints or palm prints from the vehicle, including prints belonging to Carolyne Corwin and Coy Corwin.

Hass also testified that one unidentified fingerprint was recovered from the vehicle. However, she said the print was not of sufficient quality to search in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, or AFIS. The print was excluded from all known comparison samples she received, which included prints from Jackson, Harley Corwin and others connected to the case.

Fingerprint evidence was also discussed Thursday after jurors learned of a discrepancy in a forensic report. Hass testified that while preparing for trial she noticed a note in her report referencing two potential prints labeled “G” and “H” on Harley’s vehicle. However, she could not locate photographs or physical lifts of those prints. “I didn’t have any physical latent lifts that I had collected, so I was questioning what that note indicated,” Hass said.

She explained the markings likely referred to areas of interest she initially documented but later determined were “of no value” for identification. Hass acknowledged she did not include that clarification in her original report and said she contacted former colleagues after discovering the discrepancy while preparing for her testimony in this case.

Additional witnesses taking the stand Friday included Delta County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Groleau, who assisted in searches and phone data analysis; Andrew Metzler, a paramedic with UP Health System Rampart who bagged Harley’s body; and Larry Lapalm, who recovered one of the bullets found where Harley’s body had been found by using a metal detector.

The trial, expected to last two weeks, was scheduled to resume in Delta County Circuit Court today.