MOUNT VERNON — A jury was seated on Tuesday morning in the trial of a man accused of starting two fires at FT Precision last year.
A Knox County Grand Jury indicted FT employee Zachery Snyder on April 22, 2024, on two counts of aggravated arson for fires on April 16 and April 17, 2024. Both counts are second-degree felonies.
The 37-year-old Fredericktown resident has been free on a personal recognizance bond.
Twelve jurors and two alternates were seated in the Knox County Court of Common Pleas in under two hours with no challenges from the prosecution or defense. One juror was subsequently released due to a prior medical appointment. Alternate No. 1 replaced the juror.
The April 16 fire was discovered in a second-floor janitor’s closet around 10 p.m. Fredericktown EMS, who were first on the scene, pulled burning items from the ceiling.
The April 17 fire occurred in a room adjacent to the janitor’s closet around 8 p.m.
Fredericktown Fire Chief Scott Mast called in the State Fire Marshal’s Office in both instances.
Opening statements
Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville and defense attorney Brandon Crunkilton presented opening statements.
McConville said the state will prove that Snyder had motive, means, and opportunity to set the fires, and that his behavior points to him.
He said the defendant was disgruntled because the company changed his compensation from hourly to a salary. The change allegedly cost Snyder $10,000 annually based on previous overtime wages.
McConville also said Snyder was unhappy because the company denied his request to move from second shift to first when his supervisor was promoted.
Additionally, McConville said a negative personnel review stated Snyder was not working as much as he should in his capacity as a working supervisor.
The prosecutor said Snyder’s behavior points to him because he would disappear for long periods during his shift. He was also seen in the vicinity of the fires.
Crunkilton said Snyder was not a disgruntled employee as alleged and that it is “clear that assumptions were made.”
He pointed out that Snyder had worked at FT Precision for more than a decade and that the company was going to send him to fire training because of fires that occurred earlier in the year.
Crunkilton said an FT Precision employee stated Snyder seemed OK during an April 15 conversation. The defense attorney said Snyder was financially stable and had no debt.
Crunkilton said in early March, Snyder got a [pay] restructuring he either did not understand or was not explained to him.
He also said a human resources employee said Snyder “thanked us for the raise and promotion,” and that it was made clear that Snyder could step down from the promotion.
The step down included keeping the raise, although Crunkilton said it was unclear whether Snyder would retain the title.
Opening testimony
Following a lunch break, McConville called Jason Whaley of the State Fire Marshal’s Office to the stand for direct examination.
Whaley has worked as a state arson investigator since 2010. Previously, he served with the Fredericktown and Mount Vernon police and fire departments.
Crunkilton then cross-examined Whaley.
The trial resumes at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Whaley will return to the stand for redirect examination by McConville.
