COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater man accused of deliberately running over an elderly couple in their front yard last year appeared in court Monday, as his cases advance following then Branch County Circuit Court Judge Bill O’Grady’s determination that he is competent to stand trial.
23-year-old Macain Matthew Snyder, faces multiple felony charges, including two counts of assault with intent to murder related to the June 10, 2024, incident in Kinderhook Township.
Prosecutors allege that Snyder intentionally drove his vehicle onto Simco Drive, striking 81-year-old David Sluyter, and 77-year-old Jill Sluyter, while they stood in their yard.
The victims suffered severe injuries—Jill with multiple fractures to her pelvis and lower back, and David with serious leg trauma that led to a partial amputation below the knee—though both survived after prolonged hospitalizations.
According to court documents, Snyder believed the Sluyters had sexually assaulted his fiancée and their granddaughter, a claim investigators found to be unfounded, with no assault occurring and the alleged victim not being his fiancée.
After the crash, Snyder fled the scene but was arrested later that night by Michigan State Police troopers. He was initially charged with two counts of assault with intent to murder and one count of failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing serious injury, and he has remained in the Branch County Jail since then.
As the investigation progressed, prosecutors added further charges, including three counts of aggravated stalking, using a computer to commit a crime, and malicious use of telecommunications services.
These stem from a revealed pattern of threats and harassment, including disturbing messages Snyder allegedly sent to a former friend and the friend’s mother—such as threats to kill, “drink your blood,” and “gut” the individual—after the friend ended their relationship due to Snyder’s erratic behavior and baseless accusations of sexual assault.
The case, previously delayed for competency evaluations, now moves forward through the Branch County court system.
Snyder remains in the Branch County jail on a $10 million bond.
Comments