UPDATE: John Vailette Facing Life in Prison for His Role in Kathy Hardy's Death

Update 4:15 p.m.

Federal authorities and Branford Police Chief Kevin Halloran today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found John Vailette, also known as “John John” and “Snagglepuss,” 44, guilty of committing an arson in Branford in 2006 that caused the death Kathy Hardy.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny began on September 10 and the jury returned the verdict after approximately three days of deliberations.

Judge Chatigny scheduled sentencing for December 23, 2015, at which time Vailette faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Vailette has been in federal custody since 2007, and recently completed a 10-year sentence for distributing crack cocaine.

According to the evidence at trial, at approximately 8:45 a.m. on the morning of March 7, 2006, the Branford Emergency Communications Center received 911 calls reporting a fire at 27 Little Bay Lane in Branford, a single-family home rented by Kathy Hardy.

After members of the Branford Fire Department arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire, firefighters located the body of Kathy Hardy, 39, on the second floor of the residence.

Fire Department investigators ultimately determined that the fire was initiated by accelerants located in the first floor living room area and on the staircase leading to the second floor of the dwelling. An autopsy performed on Kathy Hardy concluded that the cause of death was smoke inhalation, and her death was classified as a homicide.

Approximately two days after the fire, investigators located a truck regularly used by Vailette, which had been hidden in New Haven for a period of time in the aftermath of the fire. The truck, which was found at the home of another close associate of Vailette, contained a silver serving platter, two watches and rosary beads that belonged to Kathy Hardy.

One trial witness testified that Vailette called her hours after the fire and asked her to deliver a change of clothes to his place of work. Other witnesses testified that, after the fire, Vailette made incriminating statements.

“John Vailette committed a heartless and cowardly crime – setting fire to a woman’s home,” said U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly. “That fire killed Kathy Hardy and took her from her three children, her parents, her siblings and many loved ones. This was a difficult case and I thank the jury for its thoughtful consideration of the evidence. I also want to thank the trial team, the prosecutors from our office and the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, and the investigators from the FBI, the Branford Police and Fire Departments, and the Connecticut State Police for their tremendous work on this case. Many of these dedicated investigators worked tirelessly on this matter for years. Justice has been served.”

Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane commended the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that collaborated on the investigation and subsequent prosecution. “This case is a perfect example of the benefits of teamwork and cooperation among federal, state, and municipal officials. Kathy Hardy’s family tirelessly advocated to fund the Cold Case Bureau in the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office. I hope that this verdict can bring some small measure of comfort as they continue to grieve for their loved one.”

“Today’s guilty verdict will hopefully provide some closure to Kathleen Hardy’s family,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick. “Thanks to the dedication of the investigators in this case, specifically the Branford Police Department and the Connecticut State Police, as well as the Branford Fire Department and the FBI special agents, Mr. Vailette’s crime will not go unpunished.”

“I am pleased with the jury’s guilty verdict of John Vailette in the arson murder of Kathy Hardy,” stated Branford Police Chief Halloran. “This case was never put on the back shelf from the day of the incident. Without the support of the New Haven office of the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, Branford Fire Department and other local, state and federal agencies involved in the investigation, we may not have had the same outcome. I hope this verdict provides some sense of closure to the family.”

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Branford Police Department and the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police, Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Durham and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Gailor and Kevin M. Shay.

Original post: A federal jury in Hartford is deliberating the fate of John Vailette for his alleged involvement in a fatal arson fire that claimed the life of Kathy Hardy, 39, of Branford, the mother of three children, in 2006, the New Haven Register reports.

John Vailette and Steven Martone were indicted in 2014 for the fire set at 27 Little Bay Lane for their role in the arson fire.

Investigators have testified during the trial, which began on Sept. 10, that Vailette allegedly played a role in the fire and accelerant was found at the scene.

Prosecutors have said the fire was no accident and during the trial witnesses have testified that Vailette had previously admitted his guilt in the case.

Background on the fatal arson case:

“These two defendants are charged with setting the fire that killed Kathy Hardy, a mother of three, in 2006,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly in 2014 when the indictments were served. “This lengthy, complex and ongoing investigation is being conducted with great care and professionalism by dedicated members of the FBI and Branford Police Department, with the assistance of state and local fire investigators. I want to thank them and our state partners from the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office for their diligence and excellent work in this ongoing investigation. Together, we seek justice for Ms. Hardy, her family and loved ones.”

Fatal Fire March 2006

According to federal officials, as alleged in the indictment, at approximately 8:45 a.m. on the morning of March 7, 2006, the Branford Emergency Communications Center received 911 calls reporting a fire at 27 Little Bay Lane in Branford, a single-family home rented by Kathy Hardy.

After members of the Branford Fire Department arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire, firefighters located the body of Kathy Hardy, 39, on the second floor of the residence.

Death Classified As Homicide

Fire Department investigators ultimately determined that the fire was initiated by accelerants located in the first floor living room area and on the staircase leading to the second floor of the dwelling.

An autopsy performed on Kathy Hardy concluded that the cause of death was smoke inhalation, and her death was classified as a homicide.

Truck Leads to Suspects

The indictment alleges that approximately two days after the fire, investigators located a truck regularly used by Vailette, which had been hidden in New Haven for a period of time in the aftermath of the fire.

The truck, which was found at the home of another close associate of Vailette’s, contained a silver serving platter and jewelry that belonged to Kathy Hardy.

The indictment also alleges that, after the fire, both Vailette and Martone made incriminating statements to other individuals.

‘A Callous and Horrific Crime’

FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick stated in a 2014 press release that he would like to thank the work of the Branford Police and fire departments — as well as the Connecticut State Police: Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit — “for their perseverance in securing an indictment and for their steadfast commitment to the rest of the judicial process.”

“This was a callous and horrific crime,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick. “That the dedicated investigators never relented in their pursuit of justice is a tribute to them and their respective agencies.

Read the full Register story here.