Morristown, TN (story courtesy of WVLT) – The arson case against Jeffery Cicirelli has been dismissed and he’s been released from custody, according to Dustin Click with the district attorney’s office. He’s the man accused of burning down the historic Parks-Belk building, and planning to burn others, in downtown Morristown in 2024.
Click confirmed to WVLT the district attorney’s office had to file a nolle prosequi bowing out of charging Cicirelli for the fire that changed the landscape of downtown Morristown. Click said the case had to be dropped because the prosecution’s witness — building owner David Silverstein — was unable to make it to court.
Court documents said Silverstein, who lives in New York, was planning to be in Tennessee for the trial, but his mother was hospitalized and he was unable to make the trip. The state hadn’t subpoenaed Silverstein, requiring him to be in court, because Silverstein had intended to cooperate of his own accord.
A clerk in the court’s office also confirmed the case had been dismissed without prejudice. It means the state can recharge Cicirelli, but Click confirmed the Hamblen County Grand Jury’s next meeting wouldn’t be until May.
Click said the district attorney’s office was planning to speak to the witness before making any moves to further prosecute Cicirelli.
“[Cicirelli] admitted to entering the building and setting the fire in multiple locations throughout the building,” the warrant said. “Five other full gas cans were found in the area of the downtown district that [Cicirelli] admitted to placing with plans of burning other buildings.”
The building itself was valued at over $250,000 and was part of a plan to renovate much of downtown Morristown.
