Jackson, 35, is charged with one count of open murder – a felony punishable by up to life in prison – in the death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, 22-year-old Harley Corwin. In addition, he faces one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, a two-year felony, and one count of assault resulting in the death of a fetus, also punishable by up to life imprisonment.

The jury now consists of 15 members after one juror was discharged.

Escanaba Public Safety (EPS) Det. Lt. Tabitha Turnacliff took the stand Wednesday morning, testifying that her investigation into Jackson began with an interview of Chloe Benavides, who later told jurors she was romantically involved with Jackson while he was also dating Corwin.

Turnacliff stated she reviewed data obtained in a search warrant for Snapchat records belonging to Jackson, Corwin and other individuals interviewed in the case. EPS also issued a preservation letter to Snapchat to retain account data from several individuals at the time of the request.

On Wednesday, the jury in Tavaris Jackson's murder trial was shown several photos and videos. In this photo, a paused video taken by Chloe Benavides is displayed on the court's TV screen that shows Harley Corwin and Jackson looking at phones. (Sophie Vogelmann)

Turnacliff testified she interviewed Benavides and received a timeline of events along with certain phone data. She later seized Benavides’ phone and recovered deleted messages, though the significance of those messages was not discussed in court.

During cross-examination, defense attorney James Maki questioned Turnacliff about phone location data. Turnacliff said she did not obtain location information for Corwin’s phone directly from Life360, but instead received it from Isabelle Martin, a friend with whom Corwin shared her location.

Turnacliff also testified that Snapchat records included photos from July 3, 2023. One image included a text line reading “His other phone,” while another showed Jackson wearing a jersey-style shirt with the number 23. That clothing later became relevant during Benavides’ testimony.

According to Turnacliff, Snapchat provided location data associated with photos when available, as well.

Benavides then testified, telling jurors she began seeing Jackson in May 2023 and received Snapchat messages from Corwin regarding their respective relationships with him on July 2, 2023.

She testified that Corwin inquired about her relationship with Jackson and that she had not known Corwin was actively dating him before receiving that message.

Benavides invited Corwin to her apartment to discuss the situation and said there was no animosity between them during the conversation. Jackson arrived at the apartment at one point.

Jurors were shown a video recorded by Benavides depicting Corwin and Jackson standing next to one another while looking at phones. Corwin remained at the apartment for less than 20 minutes after Jackson left, Benavides said.

The two women continued communicating until July 3, when Corwin sent Benavides a voice recording of an argument between her and Jackson during a car ride. Benavides testified she also received a photo from Corwin showing Jackson wearing a jersey with the number 23.

Later on July 3, Benavides received another message from Corwin’s phone that she described as “coming at me and degrading me kind of.” She said she was surprised by the tone because they had parted on good terms earlier that day.

Jurors also heard from a volunteer search and rescue member who, along with another volunteer and former Delta County Sgt. Tom Lewis, discovered Corwin’s body at Fuller Park on July 8.

EPS Det. Todd Chouinard later testified that he assisted in the initial missing persons investigation and conducted a search of Corwin’s home, which yielded no significant evidence.

He also previously investigated an alleged February 2023 assault on Corwin, in which she reported being attacked at night by two masked assailants.

Chouinard testified he reviewed surveillance footage showing Jackson at Menards with two of his children on July 3, where he purchased a shovel. He testified that Jackson was wearing a red jersey.

During a noncustodial interview, Chouinard said Jackson provided conflicting accounts of his movements on July 3. Additionally, Chouinard testified that evidence led him to believe Jackson traveled to the Ford River area that day, which Jackson denied.

Chouinard said the interview eventually became more of an interrogation, and Jackson was arrested after authorities learned a body had been found in the Ford River area at the end of the interrogation.

As part of the investigation, Chouinard also spoke with Bianca Xheka, with whom Jackson shares children, as well as Xheka’s mother. He testified that he met with Xheka at EPS, likely on July 12, when she provided an alibi for Jackson.

According to Chouinard, Xheka said Jackson had been doing landscaping work for his landlord’s son, David Blevin.

Blevin then testified that he attended high school with Jackson and had spoken to Jackson “maybe once” in the years since. He said he had never socialized with Jackson, denied ever working with him on landscaping or gardening and denied being with him in the Ford River area on July 3.

Testimony in the trial is expected to continue.

—

Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.