After he was done, the fireplace worked properly and they never smelled any gas inside the home because of it. That's whatwe'll be asking the jury to consider.". "I don't understand it," Shircliff said of the judge's ruling. Leonard went to pick up Thompson in the white van witnesses in the neighborhood have previously testified seeing in Shirley's driveway. It was never no for an answer. They claim that Leonard wanted the hit man to force the witness to call 9-1-1 and recant his statement before killing him. In 2017, Leonard wasconvicted and received an additional 50-year sentencein a murder-for-hire scheme authorities say he concocted from jail after his arrest. "I don't know what happened. Wednesday in court, Shirley said that at the July 4th pool party, she called lighting the house on fire crazy. Glenn told me, Between Mark and Gary, theyre going to explode the whole neighborhood. I said, Dont play like that. "(Whoever is responsible will) have to pay for what they did to me and everybody else," Shirley said in the interview. -- John Shirley told jurors Tuesday that, while his relationship with his ex-wife Monserrate was severely damaged by the time he moved out, the gas appliances in their home were not. Its about becoming who you were meant to be. Shirley would receive over $300,000 in insurance money for the replacement of the home as well as personal items. Aaron Carter. ", When asked if the attacks on Shirley's credibility would damage the State's case, Deputy Prosecutor Denise Robinson said, "If you think about anybody who gives a number of statements, and you think about inconsistencies when you're asked questions and you have to answer the questions that you're asked [no more, no less]. The group researched methods of how to destroy the home and made more than one attempt at doing so before succeeding, authorities said. Minch: "Before that, you did have some problems with the pilot light on the furnace?" [1] Thirty-three homes were damaged severely enough to require demolition. Its a difficult case. Their first trip together was to the Hollywood Casino roughly 3-4 months after they first met. ProjectEuler/Program.cs at master gknicker/ProjectEuler [30] He died on January 30, 2018, at an Indianapolis hospital, aged 48, of natural causes. To see the faces of the neighborhood people and the sense of relief and calmness when the verdicts came in was a good thing, Garza said. monserrate is a real-life cousin of Shirley, and its said that her daughter monserrate will be taking us on when we die. Robinson could not tell them, for example, that Shirley would be facing a sentencing range of 20-50 years in prison. [8], Prosecutors alleged that on the Friday before the explosion, Leonard and his brother Bob spoke with a neighbor who was a Citizens Energy employee, asking that person about the differences between natural gas and propane. Your email address will not be published. Robert Leonard, who was convicted of murder and multiple felonies, was sentenced to life without parole. Prosecuting Mark Leonard presented with some challenges. Shirley: "She wanted us to live in a bigger house. One of the projects he took on was working on the gas line in the fireplace. The family, he said, will never truly get closure. When she got home, Mark told her he and Bob had gone to the library to research other similar homes that had been set on fire without anyone getting hurt. Monserrate Shirley was given the house after her divorce. Police arrest Monserrate Shirley, Mark Leonard and Robert Leonard for Check those tickets! Indianapolis blast: house owner, 2 others accused of deadly plot The topic came up again around July 4. I look at a neighbor that I would have been happy to help if she would have just come across the street and said, man I got a problem will you give me a hand? She told her daughter a friend had taken it to put a new frame on it. With good behavior, her earliest possible release date is Dec. 19, 2032. [The residents] clearly knew the Leonards were the bad actors, and that we needed to do everything we could to get to them, Robinson said. Mark had called her asking which credit card he could buy the thermostat with, but she didn't see him actually switch out the thermostat for the new one, nor did he ever say who did it. The explosion in the subdivision just south of the city on Saturday, Nov. 10, killed John and Jennifer Longworth. It was a good feeling.. She continued handling some of Marion Countys most heinous crimes until January 2017, when her former boss, then-Elkhart County Prosecutor Curtis Hill, called her up and asked her to join him at the Indiana Statehouse, where he had just been elected attorney general. He gave her $3,000 to use, and they lost it all. Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. Fixed: Release in which this issue/RFE has been fixed.The release containing this fix may be available for download as an Early Access Release or a General Availability Release. The cat, nicknamed Snowy, was a birthday gift for their daughter, he said, and "she misses him.". Prosecutors alleged that the natural gas explosion was intentionally set to collect insurance money. We knew somebody else was involved, and he was the only one whose name consistently came up, but it was only after she cooperated that we were able to charge Gary Thompson and Glenn Hults.. Robinson told the residents what she could: That they didnt need Monserrate Shirley as a witness, but that she would help fill in blanks they hadnt been able to. I was introduced to this once-a-year dish at a party and she was one of the first people to give it a shot. Jeff Wager, the lead homicide investigator in the case, talks about the surveillance and arrests of Mark Leonard and Monserrate Shirley: It was at a meeting with prosecutors in early 2015 that Richmond Hill residents learned of the plea deal being worked out with their former neighbor, Monserrate Shirley. [6] She was the nurse. Yes, I didnt think it would be possible, Monserrate Shirley said.HUGE EXPLOSION. Start the day smarter Notable deaths in 2023 The world's largest war 2023 meteor showers [37] She is serving her sentence at Indiana Women's Prison in Indianapolis. Prosecutors then proposed an unusual strategy involving one trial, but three separate juries, one for each defendant. Shirley claims Leonard coerced her involvement, testifying that he threatened her and her daughter. But Im not allowed to say that. He was sentenced to two life sentences without parole, as well as 70 years from other charges, on March 18, 2016. Its a game that only you can play. It's been hard for me and my daughter. I had to know I could make this case based on the evidence I had.. Im thankful for my trial team for sticking with me. In court, Shirley testified Leonard had promised to show her how to make a lot of money. Monserrate Shirley, 47, her boyfriend, Mark Leonard, 43, and his brother, Bob Leonard Jr., 54, are accused of intentionally leaking natural gas into the house and then using the kitchen's. They went home together that night and he moved in the first week of December. On December 21, 2012, Monserrate Shirley, Mark Leonard, and his brother Bob Leonard were charged with 2 counts of felony murder and . She and Mark then gassed up her car and drove to the casino. Two mental health experts testified that her childhood could have contributed to her decision to stay with Mark Leonard and go along with his plan to blow up her house for insurance money. Its about not letting the person who was watching your game die ever have a say in your game. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. A class C felony carries 2-8 years. "Mark can insult [Thompson], and he never does anything," Shirley said. Once again, she agreed to make the same three arrangements: the casino reservation, a babysitter for her daughterand boarding for Snowball. Shirley says they were his. 2012 explosion in Richmond Hill, Indianapolis, Indiana, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, "At least 2 killed, others injured in explosion, fire in Indianapolis neighborhood", "Family breaks ground on new home in Richmond Hill subdivision after Indianapolis home explosion", "36 homes critically damaged in explosion in south side neighborhood", "Homeowner at center of explosion feels lucky to be alive", "Authorities call Richmond Hill explosion a homicide case, seek details on white van", "Probable cause suggests pattern of fraud, details inconsistencies", "Richmond Hill suspect, friend face insurance fraud charges", "Affidavit: women say richmond hill blast suspect Mark Leonard has long history of scheming", "Shattered Subdivision Offers a Trail of Clues", "Life sentences without parole sought for Indianapolis explosion suspects", "4th person arrested in Indianapolis house explosion", "Fifth suspect charged in 2012 Indianapolis south side explosion", "Mark Leonard, Indy Blast suspect, pleads not guilty in murder plot", "Jim Voyles now representing Monserrate Shirley", "Home Explosion Case: Monserrate Shirley, Mark And Bob Leonard Due In Indianapolis Court", "Richmond Hill explosion: 3 trials for price of 1? She and her boyfriend, Mark Leonard, who also lived at the residence, told authorities they had left Friday night for a weekend at Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. "The State asked questions about [the interview] andthe judge said on the record that he saw no difference in her demeanor [on the video] than what she did today and that was our whole point: that she can tell a lie as easy as she tells the truth.". The defense certainly offered to stipulate that 60 homes were damaged. It was a restaurant that had the name of a famous Italian poet who died young, but the restaurant only lasted for a year. Heappears to have died of natural causes. [16] On March 13, Leonard allegedly placed a call to a man who he believed to be a hit man. I did everything to make him happy, Monserrate Shirley said in testimony. Her sister had lived in the same housing complex. He occasionally worked on those cars at Shirley's home so she saw he had a wide array of tools. A source who claimed to be in contact with the Shirley family told WISH-TV in Indianapolis that a family member had complained about smelling gas in the home at one time. Dion and Jennifer Longworth, two occupants in the house at 8355 Fieldfare Way, died in the explosion; seven others were injured. No one involved in this investigation or prosecution will forget the stories of this tragedy and the continuing fear and trauma that it caused to the survivors. This time, Shirley's daughterwas at home, but she was upstairs. The next morning, they drove back and saw the house was still standing so they went on to Thompson's house where Leonard confronted him. A tag already exists with the provided branch name. Source: http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/11/14/monserrate-shirley-speaks-about-indianapolis-house-explosion/, emmy rossum jay z and beyonce the big chill tony blankley charles barkley beyonce troy polamalu, http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/11/14/monserrate-shirley-speaks-about-indianapolis-house-explosion/. Its about remembering who you are. Shirley: "In order to pay a very large amount of child support, I was working a full-time job and two part-time jobs. ", When prosecutors asked if she was serious about the 401K offer, Shirley said, "I would have given him anything because I was in love with him.". [14] Shirley admitted raising the limit on her insurance coverage at Mark Leonard's urging, and only went along with the plot out of love for him. Man Gets Murder Conviction in Deadly Indiana House Blast Fraud Case If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Robinson also couldnt tell the residents that Shirleys cooperation would mean charges against two more suspects: Gary Thompson and Glenn Hults. Mark Leonard, the man considered the mastermind behind the 2012 Richmond Hill neighborhood explosion that killed two peopleand wounded at least adozen others, is dead. [28], Mark Leonard was found guilty on all 53 counts, including murder and felony murder charges, on July 14. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys asked Shirley if she thought Hults was joking. We did the right thing, for the right reason, and got the right result in the right way.. She now faces 20-50 years, though a judge has the right to suspend some, or all of that time. She has already been behind bars for four years. Below, find a transcript of John Shirley's testimony from Tuesday's hearing: 2:22 p.m. John Shirley, Monserrate Shirley's ex-husband, called as witness. She agreed that's what happened, but insisted she only said what Mark told her to say. But the plan went horribly awry when a vast amount of natural gas had built up in the home before something set inside a microwave oven ignited the blaze. ", Holts then asked who would get the money if they went through with it and Mark said, "Of course, me. In addition to his roofing business, Mastercraft, Leonard also flipped cars on the side. The explosion leveled 8349 Fieldfare Way, the home at the center of the explosion, and severely damaged a number of other residences, including several (on either side) which were damaged by the ensuing fire. Everything's under control.". I said I think theres ($10,000) or $12,000 in there, and he said, That was not enough, I want $300,000, Shirley said. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters: Britney Morales (Malcolm Richardson) and Maria Morales: two step-daughters Latasha (Nathan) Roberts and Kizzy Carter; three grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Shirley and her boyfriend Mark Leonard were out of town for the weekend while her 12-year-old daughter stayed with friends. . And you said she was crying? She was too involved. Her house exploded on their third attempt of trying to claim insurance money. But while he was living in the home, the only problem he had with its gas appliances the furnace, water heater and fireplace was that their pilot lights would sometimes go out when a draft blew in from an open garage door. This time, Leonard worked with Thompson instead of Thompson doing the work while Leonard stood next to him, watching and planning. Monserrate Shirley, the Indianapolis homeowner whose house is suspected of being the source of a deadly explosion that damaged nearly 80 homes in her subdivision, was inconsolable Tuesday as. monserrate shirley daughter - Investigative Guide The most money she ever remembered seeing him lose on a single trip was $7,000. American Greed: Property, auto insurance fraud is $30B problem - WSAV-TV Leonard died around 9:15. Ms. Shirley ultimately took responsibility for her actions by pleading guilty and provided important information during the investigation. [6] One woman had previously won a $70,000 judgment against Leonard in a civil suit after lending him $53,000, which he never repaid. Mark Leonard, the man considered the mastermind behind the 2012 Richmond Hill neighborhood explosion that killed two people and wounded at least a dozen others, is dead. And the game of death is the game of life itself. Leonard later tried telling Shirley that the only reason Holts wouldn't talk about his own fire was because he didn't want Leonard to end up with more money than he had. Shirley owned the home at the epicenter of the November 2012 explosion that killed two people and damaged dozens of other homes causing more than $4 million in damages. Gary Thompson, who had helped with the first two unsuccessful attempts to blow up Monserrate Shirleys house, pleaded guilty on Dec. 2, 2016, to conspiracy to commit arson and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. She owned the house. [26], In a case unrelated to the explosion charges, Mark Leonard and two other men were charged with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. "I moved out in February of 2011," he said. "He'll do anything I ask," Mark said of his brother. Shirley: "No.". [7] Shirley told the police she never smelled any natural gas, but that her daughter had thought she did recently. The defense wrapped up a little more quickly than expected after Judge John Marnocha denied their request to play a video of Shirley's 2012 interview with the media. And then there was the arrangement that when I picked up my daughter I would get to take some of my belongings. John moved out in February 2010 and their divorce was finalized that summer. I cant give back what was taken from them on November 10. She said they should be punished, Carter testified. Hults and his then-fiance babysat Shirley's daughter on the night of the explosion. More than 4 years later, Monserrate Shirley to be sentenced in Richmond Glenn Hults, the final defendant to stand trial for the explosion, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge last month that may result in no additional jail time. Until shed agreed and signed on the dotted line, there were things I could not tell them. The inmate and Leonard drew up a contract agreeing that Leonard would pay the inmate $15,000 when he was released, the affidavit said. [36] Shirley was sentenced to 50 years in prison, the maximum possible under her plea agreement, on December 20, 2016. Monserrate Shirley: 'I did everything to make him happy' - WISH-TV I don't want anyone to get hurt," then started cooking dinner. You were a nurse. The name comes from a restaurant that is on the run called theserie rossa which translates to the run of the wits. Shirley Temple's Children Remember Their Late Mother - Closer Weekly Prosecutors told Judge Marnocha Tuesday they will likely rest their case next Wednesday or Thursday. Shirley met Mark Leonard. [31][32][33] Bob Leonard was convicted on all 51 counts, including murder and conspiracy to commit arson, on February 24, 2016. And in each of those categories, you betrayed your trust.. "I am a nurse. [10] Included on the probable cause affidavit were complaints from several women claiming that Leonard scammed them out of thousands of dollars. That becomes eight years when good time credit is applied. John Shirley, her ex-husband, who owns the home with her, told The Associated Press that he believed the home's faulty furnace could have led to the explosion. It would have shortened the trial a week. Arguing for the maximum in this case, when you live with this case and you see the impact, and you know what devastating effect its had on these lives, it just compels you to argue for that, said Robinson. And your daughter lost some things?" When she arrived at the bar, she found Mark and Bob in the white van at a nearby gas station. I went into the breakroom and texted my ex about what happened. Much of Tuesdays testimony included accounts of Shirleys difficult childhood. Monserrate Shirley, Indianapolis Homeowner - AOL Real Estate