The Arkansas man allegedly responsible for the traffic accident that killed a popular Port Huron Northern teacher is proving to be an interesting defendant for St. Clair County prosecutors.
Justin Simon, the 45-year-old Tennessee resident accused of involvement in the October 20th accident that took the life of 33-year-old Ashley Nesbitt of Lexington, was back in court Tuesday, Nov. 7 for both his probable cause conference and to discuss a motion filed recently.
That motion, by Simon and his representing attorney Derrick George, was made to request bringing in Steven Sadow, a Georgia attorney, to assist the defendant’s case. Sadow’s current claim to fame is that he is serving as the lead attorney for former president Donald Trump in the Georgia criminal case.
While the requested lawyer’s notoriety might raise eyebrows, St. Clair County Prosecutors first raised eyebrows when Simon had his cash bonds almost immediately posted both days they were handed down, first $40,000 on October 24, and then an additional $35,000 on October 26.
Simon, as prosecutors later learned, is actually a former Arkansas CEO, once owning Simon Holdings, Inc., which contained several brands related to food and soap/cosmetics based in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is unclear what the status of his businesses are currently, or his standing in them, though it appears Simon Holdings, Inc, dissolved earlier this year. According to court records, Simon wasn’t the one who personally posted the bonds, with records showing that an Arkansas real estate agent posted the first $40,000 bond for Simon.
It is unclear how Simon knows the individuals who posted his bail, much like it’s unclear how Sadow could possibly help Simon’s case, should the court grant the request. Simon is due to appear again next week for a hearing on his motion, scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, at 9:30 a.m.
It is unknown how soon Sadow could join the case, if he were to join, due to not being licensed to practice Michigan law, requiring both permission from the case’s judge and for a lawyer licensed in Michigan, like Simon’s current lawyer, to file Sadow’s briefs in Michigan court for him. As such, it’s not clear if Sadow would be involved in Simon’s examination by the court on November 28.
The case stems from the tragic events on October 20, when authorities allege that a Jeep Wrangler, driven by Simon, crossed into oncoming traffic on Lakeshore Road that morning, hitting a semi-truck before spinning out and hitting a 2009 Chevrolet Impala driven.
The Impala’s driver, 33-year-old Ashley Nesbitt, died from her injuries on October 24, with Simon now facing a charge of Operating While Intoxicated – Causing Death. This charge is punishable up to 15 years. Simon, who was in the state for hunting, was also injured in the crash.
