Trial begins for Timet employee accused of arson
By Carri Geer

"This case is about the defendant and other people crossing a different line - - a legal line," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Shoemaker told jurors during her opening statement.

Stephen Cupka, a 42 year old welder, was one of four TIMET employees indicted in the case in February 1996. He is the only defendant to go to trial.

Two other defendants, Richard Mix and Bahram Sarnessar, reached plea bargains in the case and agrees to testify for the government at Cupka's trial.

"This is a case of a mixed-up conspiracy - - concocted, carried out and continued by Richard Mix," said Cupka's attorney, Mace Yampolsky.

Yampolsky attacked Mix's credibility by reviewing the benefits he has received in exchange for his testimony.

"Mr. Mix was given the deal of the century,"the defense attorney said.

Shoemaker told jurors both Mix and Sarnessar pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and multiple counts of arson.

In exchange for their cooperation, she said, prosecutors dismissed another charge - - use of a destructive device in a crime of violence - - that carries a mandatory 30 year prison sentence. Under the federal sentencing guidelines, that sentence must run consecutive to the time a defendant receives for any other crimes, Shoemaker said.

Yampolsky said that would have amounted to a potential life sentence for the two middle aged defendants.