Shirley said she recalled telling them two innocent people die out of this.THIS HAS TO BE DONE. 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. The couple's steamy relationship lasted for about a month before they moved in together. Shirley spent hours on the stand. Monserrate Shirley, who had initally pleaded not guilty after she and two men were charged in late 2012, appeared Tuesday before a Marion County judge in a courtroom filled with current and. Leonard said he talked to Gary Thompson without her, telling him they were ready to do it. [28], Mark Leonard was found guilty on all 53 counts, including murder and felony murder charges, on July 14. Shirley agreed to plead guilty to two counts conspiracy to commit arson and testify against the co-conspirators in exchange for having all other charges dropped. Leonard is charged with 53 counts of murder, arson and conspiracy. "That cannot be real. Monserrate Shirley was a divorced Puerto Rican mother whose exotic looks quickly attracted Mark Leonard. She didnt know anyone died, she said. 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. ", She re-iterated that she offered him her retirement savings in place of burning the home. Your email address will not be published. Make Lisa Marie Presley's daughter Riley Keough wears a Graceland sweater as she . HS counselor at board meeting, Serial Indianapolis rapist pleads guilty to 9 counts, Mom speaks out after 2 kids killed by falling tree, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I worked from the smaller charges to the larger ones to say, Of course its clear he did this, this and this, but heres how you get to here, Robinson said. Monserrate Shirley, Mark Leonard: 'Killer Couples' Airs Richmond Hills wikipedia.en/Richmond_Hill_explosion.md at main - github.com We knew we were taking a week of testimony from the residents to talk about what had happened to their houses, Robinson said. Prosecutors alleged Leonard was the mastermind behind the explosion, plotting with his. At the end of the interview, Carter asked Shirley what should happen to the person responsible for the explosion. Defense attorney Ted Minch on cross-examination: "You're not happy to be here today." 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. Monserrate Shirley said Mark Leonard was very, very mad., Mark Leonard said, Were going to do it again. An offhand comment would change that. Although the jury would eventually hear testimony and an audio recording of Leonard talking to an undercover ATF agent posing as a hitman (and Leonard would eventually get an extra 50 years in prison for it), having that information before the trial even began would have been extremely prejudicial against him. Minch: "You testified about some things you lost in the explosion. In November 2014, Glenn Olvey who was trapped with his family in his collapsing house finally gave up on rebuilding his home in the neighborhood. Monserrate Shirley sentenced to 50 years in prison - YouTube Monserrate Shirley leaves court after learning her sentence. "Two innocent people died because of this!" [34][35], Monserrate Shirley pled guilty to conspiracy to commit arson. [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. Shirley didn't hear anything more about a plot to start a fire that night, and nothing happened. She was an RN for more than 20 years, starting her career in Michigan where she attended college, before moving to Indianapolis after her then-husband John Shirley got a job offer there. Carter would testify that her emotions and demeanor seemed normal at the time, for someone whose house had just blown up. Follow her on Twitter:@hollyvhays. Robinson says she didnt expect anything to change. Worried that jurors might easily convict Leonard of the lesser charges against him, but not the larger ones that carried the life without parole sentence prosecutors were asking for, Robinson built her closing argument from the bottom up. 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. After demands for a vote on the bill, we finally received one. Download the RTV6 app to get the latest live blog posts as the proceedings unfold. [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. She would then go to a southside bar to meet Mark before they left for the casino. At a routine pretrial hearing, deputy prosecutor Denise Robinson, not thinking much of it, told Monserrate Shirleys defense counsel that if their client wanted anything other than a trial seeking life without parole, they had better work something out by the end of January 2015. "Our investigators believe natural gas is involved," the Indianapolis Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. Then there was the question of Leonards history. [19] Judge Shelia Carlisle rejected the proposal, noting that no Indiana law authorizes the use of concurrent jury trials. In a room inside IFD Station 63 less than a mile from the Richmond Hill subdivision Carter and Shirley talked about her whereabouts on the night of the explosion. More than 4 years later, Monserrate Shirley to be sentenced in Richmond When a defense attorney comes out and says, My client didnt do anything at all, but you clearly can show they did, then usually its going to be an all-or-nothing verdict, Robinson said. He looked over the insurance policy and said she was under-insured so she called the insurance company and doubled her policy from $150,000 to $300,000. At about 11:10p.m., on November 10, 2012, a large explosion occurred in Richmond Hill, a subdivision on the southeast side of Indianapolis. While Leonard has been in slacks, a dress shirt and tie throughout the trial, Shirley walked into the courtroom in shackles and a prison jumpsuit. The Insurance Scam That Blew Up A Neighborhood - Medium While Shirley and the Leonards had been sitting in jail, Robinson and Hollingsworth had been traveling to the ATF lab in Washington D.C. to learn about explosions and taking a crash course on natural gas. An Indianapolis woman said she asked her then-boyfriend's half-brother what he had done when she learned the fire they planned to ignite using natural gas had While there had been some communications early on, we were not willing to offer Monserrate Shirley a significant deal for her cooperation, Robinson said. She said she did not tell officers at the time what happened because she was scared. You were a mom. I was at one of my part-time jobs when I got a text from my daughter, which was very unusual. He gave her $3,000 to use, and they lost it all. [14] In April 2015, a fifth man, Glenn Hults, was charged with conspiracy to commit arson. More on AOL Real Estate:Find homes for rent in your area.Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.Find homes for sale in your area.Find foreclosures in your area. To the uninitiated, it seems to be a reference to a nickname used by the family of the deceased who are being called Shirley by their name. To begin the day, Monserrate Shirley explained how she and Mark Leonard met. 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? You're done.". I cant give back what was taken from them on November 10. 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. "We had a lot of parties," the late. Iwas scared. From confusion to conviction, Richmond Hill blast recapped. She came into the courtroom looking much different than she did the weekend of the explosion in 2012. She told them she didn't want anything to do with them anymore. A copy of her plea agreement was entered into evidence and handed out to each member of the jury. 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. She said Leonard had bought it a few months beforehand at that point. Neighbors, family testify in sentencing hearing of Monserrate Shirley, owner of the home. Another woman reported that she had loaned him about $5,000 for a construction job, which he had yet to pay back. Shirley: "She wanted us to live in a bigger house. [26], In a case unrelated to the explosion charges, Mark Leonard and two other men were charged with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. Its about your game being the only game that matters. I certainly might feel bad for his family. Prosecutors started by addressing her plea agreement. I had seen it used in a couple of games, but I never knew it was the name of a real person. Marion County Superior Court Judge Sheila Carlisle sentenced Monserrate Shirley to spend the maximum sentence of 50 years in prison on Tuesday. It was never no for an answer. Denise Robinson, the Marion County Prosecutor on the case, told the court she rarely asks for the maximum sentence. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. Amazingly, despite the force of the explosion, a hybrid pear tree planted by Dion Longworth still grows in the yard where he and his wife Jennifers house once stood. Leonard was being held at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facilitybut was transferred to the hospital several days ago. 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. I commend Det. And I wanted to be able to tell them everything., TRANSCRIPT | The full testimony of Monserrate Shirley. She was 11 years old at that point. Shirley says the house had three gas appliances when he lived there: furnace, water heater and fireplace. Robinson also couldnt tell the residents that Shirleys cooperation would mean charges against two more suspects: Gary Thompson and Glenn Hults. And then there was the arrangement that when I picked up my daughter I would get to take some of my belongings. 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. "I mean, I'm totally devastated like my neighbors are.". While questioning potential jurors, one of Leonards attorneys, Diane Black, brought up out of the blue that her client had tried to hire a hitman from jail to kill his friend, and potential witness against him, Mark Duckworth. 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. . I said OK, she said. ", Minch: "You said you talked to Ms. Shirley on the 11th. I did everything to make him happy, Monserrate Shirley said in testimony. 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. ", Holts then asked who would get the money if they went through with it and Mark said, "Of course, me. I told them I dont even want to be a part of this, Shirley testified as telling the Leonards. They laughed at her for asking, but it was switched back out. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. 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. [2] Over sixty firefighters responded to the blaze. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We did what prosecutors are supposed to do. [23] The plea deal involved Shirley pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit arson in exchange for testifying against the other suspects. Thompson returned to their home to plan their next attempt. They had left town the night before, after Ms. Shirley's nursing shift at a local. This time, Mark and Bob talked alone while Monserrate left to pick up her daughter. Leonard and Shirley went to the casino on Saturday, October 27, expecting Shirley's best friend and neighbor to call when the house caught fire. Shirley alleged that Hults initially came up with the idea. Investigators quickly honed in on the home's owner, Monserrate Shirley, her boyfriend Mark Leonard and his brother, Bob Leonard Jr., as the primary suspects. (WISH) - Monserrate Shirley told jurors Wednesday she would do anything for Mark Leonard, because she was in love with him. [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. Monserrate Shirley sentenced to 50 years in prison - YouTube Charged in the deadly Richmond Hill Fire RTV6 News brings you the best breaking news coverage in Indiana. The next morning, they went to Bob Leonard's mobile home. Shirley claims Leonard coerced her involvement, testifying that he threatened her and her daughter. At one point, after one of the failed attempts to burn the home, Monserrate Shirley said she offered Mark Leonard her 401k instead. [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. Write For Us: Investigative Articles are Intriguing. 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. They enter into evidence two golf bags with clubs and a driver. But Im not allowed to say that. While she was charged in December 2012 for her role in the explosion, she pleaded guilty to two felony conspiracy charges earlier this year in exchange for her testimony. Shirley and her boyfriend were hoping to collect $300,000 in insurance . Two of those alleged co-conspirators were arrested as a direct result of her cooperation: Gary Thompson and Glenn Holts. By the time wed got to trial, hed already been in jail for going on three years. Residents, particularly the younger ones, report experiencing continued psychological trauma from the incident. Monserrate Shirley testified that Mark Leonard is the one who told her to increase the insurance on the contents of her house, and she also testified Mark Leonard brought up the idea of setting fire to her house for easy money. She was upset when she got home that night and saw her nicer digital thermostat sitting on the kitchen island and the new cheaper model on the wall. He never gave her money like that again, but did play with his own money, spending anywhere from $2,000 - 10,000 each trip. 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. News, information &. After her 12 hour shift, she planned to see her daughter at the Holts' house and change there. The next morning, they returned to Indianapolis and saw the house was again still standing so Mark called Bob and told him to meet at a nearby parking lot. Deputy prosecutor Denise Robinson returned from prosecuting the Richmond Hill cases to a pile of homicides waiting on her desk. Although prosecutors didnt need their blessing to go ahead with the plea, Robinson said they felt it was important to tell the residents as much as they could. 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. So there wasnt a great deal of pressure on us, or desire by us, to offer her anything.. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison. Somebody knew that I was out of town. "Mark can insult [Thompson], and he never does anything," Shirley said. He asked whose name the house was under, and she said it was entirely in her name after the divorce. The force of the blast shattered windows and ripped down garage doors at dozens of other homes in the neighborhood. He says the log lighter worked fine when he lived there. It was a good feeling.. SOUTH BEND, Ind. Prosecutors contend that the motorcycle was disassembled in Shirley's garage. Leonard is the brother of Mark Leonard, who is dating Montserrate Shirley, who along with Mark Leonard, lives in the home . JDK-8141210 : Very slow loading of JavaScript file with recent JDK That's whatwe'll be asking the jury to consider.". Thompson left after a few hours and Shirley didn't hear anything else before the first attempt that Saturday. [16][17] The alleged motive for the arson was to collect insurance money to ease financial strain. 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. Leonard got sick in March 2012. So in the game of death, monserrate daughter is the Shirley of the game of death. After he was done, the fireplace worked properly and they never smelled any gas inside the home because of it. [6] "They are currently in the process of recovering the appliances from destroyed homes to help determine the cause.". Today, Snowball, a white Persian cat, is in the care of John Shirley, Monserrate's ex-husband. The brothers were sentenced to terms of life without parole for spearheading the conspiracy. Shirley: "Yes. The human toll is harder to estimate. Four years after thedeadly Richmond Hill explosion, another chapter has closed. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison on the arson charges on top of two life sentences for the murder charges. Leonard was at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility inSullivan County serving two life sentences for his role in the explosion that rocked the southeast-side neighborhood that destroyed five homes and damaged more than 80 others. At 11:11 p.m. on Nov. 10, 2012, a two-story home on the south side of Indianapolis exploded with the force of as much as 5 tons of TNT. monserrate is a real-life cousin of Shirley, and its said that her daughter monserrate will be taking us on when we die. Robinson has said she will argue for 50 when the time comes. The sentence accounts for time served and good time credit. There's little remaining of Shirley's home (pictured at left) after Saturday's explosion. Shirley: "No.". Indianapolis explosion may have been caused by furnace, says owner of [22], On January 16, 2015, Shirley agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors. On December 21, 2012, Monserrate Shirley, Mark Leonard, and his brother Bob Leonard were charged with 2 counts of felony murder and . The jury found 46-year-old Mark Leonard guilty of all counts against him, including murder and felony murder. The entire day she answered questions from attorneys, repeatedly crying. She then got food for them both and went back to the room around midnight. I dont wish them any hardship. But she had no hesitation when asked to identify the Longworths as her neighbors. Shirley says Monserrate got the house in the divorce.