Shirley says he was paying Monserrate $1,000 a month in child support and mortgage payments. Again, she said, "Because I was not able to tell him 'no'." One year of his sentences wassuspended, and the rest was to be split between jail and work release. [3][4] Damage to homes in the neighborhood was estimated at $4 million. And that, Im sure, will never change.. And you have to weigh that out? As fate would have it, it would be Carter, just a few weeks later, who would place Monserrate Shirley in handcuffs. And your daughter lost some things?" Hed also been previously accused of insurance fraud in connection with a car accident. Then there was the question of Leonards history. Mark Leonard was convicted in 2015 of two counts of murder as well as a litany of other charges, including multiple counts of arson and conspiracy to commit arson. An autopsy will be conducted by the Marion County coroner's office Wednesday, according to the DOC. The cat, nicknamed Snowy, was a birthday gift for their daughter, he said, and "she misses him.". 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. I want everyone to know how sorry I am for this horrible tragedy, she said in court in front of Richmond Hill residents. [30] He died on January 30, 2018, at an Indianapolis hospital, aged 48, of natural causes. Shirley said after he and his wife's divorce was finalized in July 2011, the last time he was at the home at 8349 Fieldfare Way was August of that year. [6] Investigators said personal insurance on the home had recently been increased to $300,000. [5], Monserrate "Moncy" Shirley, a nurse, owned the home at the center of the explosion. Iwas scared. Robinson has said she will argue for 50 when the time comes. Bob Leonard said, "Well, you're in it. She could face 20-50 years in prison. "I feel like, you know, it would have been better off for me to be there [at the house when it exploded]," Shirley said. Shirley may have been the prosecution's highest profile witness, but that doesn't mean they're done. Hults and his then-fiance babysat Shirley's daughter on the night of the explosion. Indiana Neighborhood Explosion: Two Questioned in Connection to Blast The first time Gary Thompson first came over to discuss starting a fire, she told him, "I'm ready, as long is this is a small fire. ", 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]. Man Gets Murder Conviction in Deadly Indiana House Blast Fraud Case Robinson also couldnt tell the residents that Shirleys cooperation would mean charges against two more suspects: Gary Thompson and Glenn Hults. In fact, they said that at the time she raised her insurance policy to $300,000, she was roughly $300,000 in debt (more than $200K between her two mortgages on top of the bankruptcy settlement left over from her divorce). "In order to pay a very large amount of child support, I was working a full-time job and two part-time jobs," he said. Indianapolis blast: house owner, 2 others accused of deadly plot After her 12 hour shift, she planned to see her daughter at the Holts' house and change there. I cant give the Olveys back a peace of mind. [1] Thirty-three homes were damaged severely enough to require demolition. Even years later, Robinson says she doesnt know why Black brought the hitman allegations up. It was a good feeling.. She asked Mark not to try the house fire plan again. In exchange, she offered him the money in her 401K. Leonard told him Shirley was ready and she agreed. Shirley wasnt a suspect at the time, and the interview was a routine one. At the center of the case, Mark Leonard, a womanizer with gambling debts who preyed on divorcees, hatched an arson plot for money with his girlfriend, Monserrate Shirley. Not until the following morning, when I went from this job to another job, did I get a text from a friend who thought it might be my house. Psychologist Dr. Stephanie Callaway diagnosed her with dependent personality disorder, but stated under cross-examination that, while the diagnosis explains Shirley's actions, it does not absolve her of responsibility. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Shirley said she would come back immediately, but they told her there was no house to come back to. Too little, too late, said Jennifer Longworths father, Don Buxton. Monserrate Shirley, Indianapolis Homeowner Whose House Exploded, Bereft It also didnt carry much weight for the families of Dion and Jennifer Longworth, who died in the blast. She was crying and hysterical and said the house blew up.". I see a con artist when I look at her., If she really is apologetic, then I accept the apology, said Dion Longworths father, John Longworth. Shirley alleged that Hults initially came up with the idea. We believed that he did, we had some very thin evidence that he did. Glenn Hults, who had known of the scheme and kept Shirleys daughter Brooke out of the house, pleaded guilty on Dec. 28, 2016, to one count of assisting a criminal. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It had three gas appliances - the water heater, the furnace and the fireplace. They laughed at her for asking, but it was switched back out. West's Mortuary, Inc. Shirley testified Leonard asked to see the insurance policy on the home within a few weeks of moving in. At about 11:10p.m., on November 10, 2012, a large explosion occurred in Richmond Hill, a subdivision on the southeast side of Indianapolis. TRANSCRIPT | Opening statements in the trial of Mark Leonard. As of summer 2022 the show has aired sixteen . She lived in the four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home with her daughter. The November 2012 blast claimed the lives of John and Jennifer Longworth and spawned an investigation that landed five people behind bars. The human toll is harder to estimate. Its an interesting concept. I did my best. Its a game that only you can play. Shirley says they were his. Bob Leonard's son told investigators that several items were in the van that had been taken from the home, including photos and financial documents. And you said she was crying? Jurors will later hear that the golf bags and clubs were found at Bob Leonard's home after the explosion. They started looking around the house at potential ways to start the fire. SOUTH BEND, Ind. She met Mark Leonard at a bar on November 12, 2011. This type of trial is unusual but not unheard of, and had been used in the trial of the Menendez brothers. Mark then asked Bob twice to "go get the part that we need." We again offer our condolences to the families of Dion and Jennifer Longworth and to those who suffered injury and loss. [24], On March 28, 2015, Mark Leonard was charged with conspiring to murder the key witness against him, Mark Duckworth. At the end of the day, we still miss her and him, Dion, as much as ever, Buxton said. Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. The man he called was actually an undercover agent. Saturday morning, they headed to the casino and Mark played a blackjack table, then they went to the bar and sat, waiting to get the phone call their home had caught fire. [37] She is serving her sentence at Indiana Women's Prison in Indianapolis. All I can say is, I had one small role in this. But ultimately I think we were able to accomplish what we needed to do for her.. [27], Mark Leonard's trial began in June 2015. He told her one of the reasons she needed to upgrade the policy was he planned to bring in some nicer things and do some work around the house to improve it and they would need the extra coverage to match the upgrades. Call 6 Investigator Rafael Sanchez and Senior Digital Correspondent Jordan Fischer will be in Fort Wayne covering the trial every day. [19] Judge Shelia Carlisle rejected the proposal, noting that no Indiana law authorizes the use of concurrent jury trials. Indiana Man Convicted of Murder in Home Explosion Case - Insurance Journal Defense counsel said the deposition version showed she was actually in favor of burning the house down, she just didn't want to get caught. 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? On Friday, October 26, Leonard told Shirley to get anything sentimental out of the house. Leonard asked her to get a babysitter for her daughter, make a reservation at the casino's hotel for the two of them and to board the family cat, "Snowball." Shirley says the house had three gas appliances when he lived there: furnace, water heater and fireplace. But in this case, Monserrate Shirley had already received leniency from the state when she entered into a plea agreement that dismissed a total of 50 charges, including murder. They went to the casino and waited for the call that a fire had broken out, but again, the call never came. John moved out in February 2010 and their divorce was finalized that summer. Robinson knew that. Prosecutors alleged that the natural gas explosion was intentionally set to collect insurance money. Leonards death doesnt change the fact that Jennifer and Dion died, Buxton said. She took care of all three. 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. PREVIOUS | Full testimony: Monserrate Shirley takes the stand. Says Sen. Tom. I was scared for my life and the life of my daughter., Forgive me for my poor choices in life, she continued. Download the RTV6 app to get the latest live blog posts as the proceedings unfold. Are they going to get bored with it?. Ms. Shirley ultimately took responsibility for her actions by pleading guilty and provided important information during the investigation. I had to know I could make this case based on the evidence I had.. Defense attorney Ted Minch on cross-examination: "You're not happy to be here today." Robinson could not tell them, for example, that Shirley would be facing a sentencing range of 20-50 years in prison. It ended in the deaths of Dion and Jennifer Longworth. None of them had given any indication they were willing to take a plea under the terms prosecutors were offering. She didnt know anyone died, she said. ", Minch: "You testified that you only used a babysitter maybe once a month, because your lifestyle with Ms. Shirley wasn't such that you went out every weekend?" Its not the only weird coincidence Ive noticed in the past few months, but the name shirley was the one that stood out to me most. She was wearing a jail jumpsuit, was shackled and her hair had grown long, dark and curly.IM TELLING THE TRUTH. The now 49-year-old originally faced life in prison without parole. Later that same day, an attorney asked Shirley if the Longworths deserved what happened to them. So there wasnt a great deal of pressure on us, or desire by us, to offer her anything.. 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. His sentencing is set for December 28, 2016 at 1 p.m. Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry issued the following statement: We respect the Courts decision ordering Monserrate Shirley to serve a fifty-year prison sentence for her participation in this senseless conspiracy. Did you see her on TV a few days later? Shirley's next-door neighbors, John and Jennifer Longworth, died in the blast. At that point, Shirley and her co-defendants her boyfriend Mark Leonard and his brother, Bob Leonard Jr. had been sitting in jail for two years following their arrest on charges of murder, arson and attempted insurance fraud in connection with the explosion. "(Whoever is responsible will) have to pay for what they did to me and everybody else," Shirley said in the interview. Monserrate "Moncy" Shirley, a nurse, owned the home at the center of the explosion. 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. Richmond Hill explosion - Wikipedia 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Mark Leonard moved in with Monserrate Shirley about a month later. This may help explain why this dish is beloved by patrons like myself. Carter would testify that her emotions and demeanor seemed normal at the time, for someone whose house had just blown up. To begin the day, Monserrate Shirley explained how she and Mark Leonard met. The Insurance Scam That Blew Up A Neighborhood - Medium Marion County Superior Court Judge Sheila Carlisle sentenced Monserrate Shirley to spend the maximum sentence of 50 years in prison on Tuesday. She will not learn her fate until after all four of her alleged co-conspirators has been tried. Leonard died around 9:15. Its very difficult sentencing hearing weve been through for two days. [6] A friend of the couple reported that Mark Leonard had lost $10,000 at the casino approximately three weeks before the explosion. Police arrest Monserrate Shirley, Mark Leonard and Robert Leonard for The Retaking Of Richmond Hill - Indianapolis Monthly Seven months later, on March 18, 2016, his brother Bob Leonard Jr. received his own sentence of life without parole in a courtroom in Fort Wayne, Indiana. ", Minch: "At no time did she ever say she was involved in the explosion?" Prosecutors contend that the motorcycle was disassembled in Shirley's garage. If Monserrate Shirley keeps up her part of the agreement, a judge will decide her sentence after all the Richmond Hill explosiontrials have been completed. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Shirley claims Leonard coerced her involvement, testifying that he threatened her and her daughter. [28] The defense said that what became the Richmond Hill explosion was only supposed to be a "stupid and selfish insurance fraud that went horribly wrong", adding, "Precautions were taken to ensure people weren't harmed." Aaron Carter. The defense attorney told the judge without the jury in the room that he planned to use the video to show that Shirley had the same demeanor in the courtroom as she did while lying to reporters. This story is Chapter III of a three-part series. At least three of his possessions did survive, however: two golf bags, with clubs, and a driver he'd been gifted. In an interview with former RTV6 reporter Stacia Matthews, Shirley suggested the explosion may have been an attempt on her life. 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 sentencing: 'She is the worst of the bunch' - WTHR For their families, the tree is one last connection to the loved ones they lost on Nov. 10, 2012. PREVIOUS|Timeline of events|Gallery: The Richmond Hill Explosion|Where were you at 11:11 PM? His defense team admitted that the blaze had been intentionally set, but told jurors it was only intended to be a small fire and that murder was never his intention. Monserrate Shirley was given the house after her divorce. Thompson returned to their home to plan their next attempt. He told her to tell Holts, though, that they would be trying the fire again that night (Sunday night). They then worked to establish a pattern of poor decisions in her personal life and changing stories throughout the investigation. [18], Prosecutors initially sought to try the suspects together, but the defendants were granted the right to separate trials. The topic came up again around July 4. Much of the attention since the explosion has centered on Monserrate Shirley and her boyfriend Mark Leonard, who lived at the house in the center of the blast area. 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. Authorities blamed a natural gas explosion inside the home of Monserrate Shirley, who was away at the time of the explosion. Once they were alone, Leonard, Holts and Shirley started talking about the fire again while they sat around the pool drinking beer. [12] Though the trio was eligible for the death penalty under Indiana law, prosecutors chose to pursue life sentences without parole because they believed a jury would be unlikely to impose the death penalty without any evidence that the suspects intended to cause the deaths. "Our investigators believe natural gas is involved," the Indianapolis Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. A tag already exists with the provided branch name. Prosecutors entered all three into evidence Tuesday. He eventually improved enough to return home, but Shirley had to continue caring for him for several months. I always get the money.". I got upset with her and sent her some derogatory texts. After that, the fire wasn't mentioned again until the week before Halloween. [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. In addition to the thousands of pieces of physical evidence, they had more than 200 witnesses lined up to testify. But these were good defense attorneys. While she was driving, Mark called to tell her to book a hotel room and to tell her daughter it was because the house was too cold to stay at. Shirley and her boyfriend Mark Leonard were out of town for the weekend while her 12-year-old daughter stayed with friends. She has already been behind bars for four years. Thompson left after a few hours and Shirley didn't hear anything else before the first attempt that Saturday. 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. Federal grand jury indicts man on hate crime charges after he allegedly shot 2 Jewishmen in Los Angelesin February, Pot vote has Oklahoma hungry to rake in green from Texas, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18, over dozen missing, Fishers firefighters assist car flipped NB over I-69. They agreed to say they'd been having trouble with the thermostat and smelling gas for a while. IndyStar reporter Robert King contributed to this story. [11], Monserrate Shirley, Mark Leonard, and Bob Leonard were initially charged with two counts of murder and arson in the deaths of Dion and Jennifer Longworth. You were a mom. Defense attorney David Shircliff then said Shirley may not have provided the "means" for the explosion, but she took care of the logistics to make sure no one realized she was helping blow up her own home. Taking them at face value, taking them at what they told the court, they believed that since it was going to come up in the trial they should talk about it during jury selection, Robinson said. She said Leonard had bought it a few months beforehand at that point. Prosecutors ask if Shirley was asked by police to identify personal property following the explosion. Shirley told jurors he lost a number of things in the explosion, including a collection of tennis rackets and a drafting table. Their challenge was to distill two-and-a-half years of research and investigation into a six week trial without losing the jury in the process. [5], The most damning piece of evidence was a witness statement from one of Mark Leonard's associates, who told investigators that the weekend before the explosion, Leonard told him that "the house blew up". Shirley, her boyfriend Mark Leonard, and three others were convicted and sentenced to prison on various charges, including felony murder for Leonard. After a while, Mark came back in and said Bob had agreed to help for $10,000, but never specified what exactly Bob would be doing. "No one.". For one: She had earned a reputation as a master liar, as Mark Leonards defense team would later call her. Its a difficult case. UPDATE: Search for accused Johnson County scammer ends in arrest, Men's challenges in fatherhood and marriage explored in new documentary, Live Doppler 13 Weather Blog: Record-breaking rain raises ongoing flood concerns, Saturday Sunrise Live Doppler 13 forecast March 4, 2023. 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. Shirley: "Back in August (2011) she just stopped taking my phone calls and letting me talk to Brook. Shirley says he and Monserrate married on July 17, 1993. [2] Over sixty firefighters responded to the blaze. 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. The game of death is a pretty popular one, but its not just because of the game of death; its also the game of life itself. Heappears to have died of natural causes. The Richmond Hill explosion took place on November 10, 2012, in the Richmond Hill subdivision in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Crime scene photos from the Richmond Hill explosion Glenn Hults, a friend of Leonard's who said he knew about the plot beforehand but didn't call police, was sentenced to three years. She remained in the house as the sole owner until the explosion. I had seen it used in a couple of games, but I never knew it was the name of a real person. No one else was within earshot, so far as she knew. Home owner, Monserrate Shirley; her boyfriend, Mark Leonard; and his brother, Bob Leonard, were arrested Friday and charged with murder and arson Prosecutors may seek the death penalty Fire. [10] Included on the probable cause affidavit were complaints from several women claiming that Leonard scammed them out of thousands of dollars. She and her daughterwent to the hotel, where Mark later joined them. He said there wouldn't be a problem because it would be a small fire so no one would get hurt, and since she had a long history with the insurance company and no criminal record, they would get the money almost immediately. wikipedia.en/Richmond_Hill_explosion.md at main - github.com [25] Leonard allegedly asked another inmate at the Marion County jail if he could put him in contact with a hitman, according to the probable cause affidavit. Im telling the truth and nothing but the truth was a phrase repeated by Monserrate Shirley throughout the day. At the time of the explosion, Shirley says he was living in Noblesville. Officials did not release further information regarding his death. He did come to the house one week before the first attempt. Two of those alleged co-conspirators were arrested as a direct result of her cooperation: Gary Thompson and Glenn Holts. The force of the blast shattered windows and ripped down garage doors at dozens of other homes in the neighborhood. The defense said if prosecutors wrapped up early enough on Thursday, they could call all of their witnesses that day alone and closing arguments could be held Friday, July 10. I commend Det. Shirley said she recalled telling them two innocent people die out of this.THIS HAS TO BE DONE. She never got a call, though. This is too risky." Leonard said he talked to Gary Thompson without her, telling him they were ready to do it. [38], Gary Thompson pled guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Shirley had earlier cooperated in providing testimony against alleged co-conspirators but. At the time her friends called her, Monserrate was at a casino with Mark Leonard. We used to cook together, have dinner together.Very charming, very lovely man.". Start the day smarter Notable deaths in 2023 The world's largest war 2023 meteor showers We did what prosecutors are supposed to do. After court adjourned for the day, Shircliff said he attacked her inconsistencies "to show that she can tell the truth as easily as she tells a lie, and it's hard for the jury to know the difference. Critics have accused Shirley of faking her reaction after the explosion because she seemed upset but never shed a tear. 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. While Shirley said he lost a lot, he pointed out the toll was much greater on his then-13-year-old daughter Brook. Woman tells of failed tries before deadly Indianapolis house explosion Prosecutors started by addressing her plea agreement. "Cases are made up of hurdles all the time," Robinson said Wednesday. As his court date neared, the workload ramped up.
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