Defendant's Ex-Girlfriends Testify About Domestic Violence in Delta County Murder Trial

Testimony details alleged pattern of abuse by man accused of killing pregnant woman

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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In the trial of a Delta County, Michigan man accused of murdering a pregnant 22-year-old woman, two of the defendant's ex-girlfriends testified about incidents of domestic violence they experienced with him, including allegations of choking, restraint, and other physical abuse. The prosecution is seeking to establish a pattern of violent behavior by the defendant toward women in his life.

Why it matters

The testimony from the ex-girlfriends is intended to show the defendant's alleged propensity for violence, which could be a key factor in the murder trial. Domestic violence is a serious issue that often precedes more severe crimes, and this case highlights the need for accountability and intervention to prevent escalation.

The details

The defendant, Tavaris Lee Jackson, is accused of murdering Harley Corwin, whose body was found in July 2023 in Ford River Township. Two of Jackson's ex-girlfriends, Melissa Griffith and Alyvia Edwards, testified about separate incidents of alleged abuse, including Jackson pinning Griffith against a wall while screaming, and choking and restricting Edwards' breathing on multiple occasions. The prosecution was granted permission to introduce this prior alleged domestic violence evidence to demonstrate Jackson's 'propensity for violence' toward women.

  • On July 8, 2023, Harley Corwin's body was found in the woods of Ford River Township.
  • About five months before Corwin's death, she reported being assaulted in her home, believing one of the masked attackers was Jackson.
  • The trial for Jackson's murder case has been underway for nearly a week as of March 9, 2026.

The players

Tavaris Lee Jackson

The defendant accused of murdering a pregnant 22-year-old woman, Harley Corwin, in July 2023.

Harley Corwin

A 22-year-old woman who was found dead in the woods of Ford River Township in July 2023. Jackson is accused of her murder.

Melissa Griffith

One of Jackson's ex-girlfriends who testified about incidents of domestic violence she experienced with him, including being choked.

Alyvia Edwards

Another of Jackson's ex-girlfriends who testified about his alleged pattern of abuse, including choking, restraint, and unexpectedly entering her home.

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What they’re saying

“He just, like, picked me up by my neck, and the next thing I knew, my feet weren't touching the ground and everything just kind of went black.”

— Melissa Griffith, Ex-girlfriend of the defendant (WZMQ19)

“There were times when he would dig his nails into my arm. There were times where he would put his hands on my neck and restrict my breathing, but he would just say he's joking and it's not a big deal... There were times when he would just twist my arm.”

— Alyvia Edwards, Ex-girlfriend of the defendant (WZMQ19)

What’s next

The trial will continue on Tuesday, with more testimony and evidence expected to be presented.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of addressing domestic violence allegations and patterns of abuse, as they can escalate to more severe crimes. The testimony from the defendant's ex-girlfriends aims to establish a history of violence that could be a key factor in the murder trial.