Prosecutors dismissed assault charges against a man they say helped spark a brawl that led to a fatal shooting outside a Superior Township apartment.

LaShawn Covington was scheduled to stand trial Monday on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon for his role in the Jan. 23 fight in the parking lot of the Sycamore Meadows apartment complex. But prosecutors dismissed the charge without prejudice, meaning the case is closed unless further evidence surfaces.

LaShawn Covington

The evidence, or lack thereof, was the issue in taking the case to trial, said Steve Hiller, chief deputy assistant prosecutor for Washtenaw County.

“As cases near trial and as you prepare, it sometimes becomes clear that the evidence is not sufficient to continue prosecution,” Hiller said.

Covington, 18, was the final defendant charged in connection with the incident that led to the fatal shooting of Jamar Gardner, 30. 

Larry Hunter, 27, was convicted of first-degree murder following a two-day trial last week.

Hiller said testimony provided by the victim in Covington’s case, who was a witness during Hunter's trial, was considered in the decision to dismiss the charge. He wouldn’t elaborate.

Prosecutors said Covington was thrown to the ground by another man during the fight, and Gardner prevented Hunter from intervening. Hunter pulled a 9mm handgun and shot Gardner three times at close range, testimony indicated.

Last Friday, Covington’s mother, Marget Pittman, pleaded no contest to aggravated assault charges for striking people with a baseball bat during the fray. She remains free on bond pending sentencing next month.

Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.