She even took some leave from work to stay with him longer than her paid vacation time allowed. She found a house with a floorplan she liked." monserrate is the name of the dish, as well as its chef and owner. She was able to take that to the prosecutor and get a protective order against me. I said OK, she said. Shirley's next-door neighbors, John and Jennifer Longworth, died in the blast. Its very difficult sentencing hearing weve been through for two days. [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. Shirley Temple's Children Remember Their Late Mother - Closer Weekly That becomes eight years when good time credit is applied. Holts invited Leonard and Shirley to his friend's house for a pool party in the Geist neighborhood. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys asked Shirley if she thought Hults was joking. In court Wednesday, she said he turned on the gas, but never lit the fire. 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. Thompson arrived on Monday or Tuesday, October 22-23, while Shirley's daughter was at school. ", Minch: "You've had problems over the years with the furnace and the water heater. He couldn't get a card to play with so she got a card for him and played on his behalf. ProjectEuler/Program.cs at master gknicker/ProjectEuler 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. I thought it was crazy, but I went along with him. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The cat, nicknamed Snowy, was a birthday gift for their daughter, he said, and "she misses him.". 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. She told him the attempt didnt work but that there would be another attempt. I was at one of my part-time jobs when I got a text from my daughter, which was very unusual. 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. At the end of the interview, Carter asked Shirley what should happen to the person responsible for the explosion. A tag already exists with the provided branch name. Shirley's sentencing started Monday morning at 9 a.m. She faces 20 to 50 years in prison for two counts conspiracy to commit arson. (WISH) - Monserrate Shirley told jurors Wednesday she would do anything for Mark Leonard, because she was in love with him. Leonard was being held at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facilitybut was transferred to the hospital several days ago. Later that same day, an attorney asked Shirley if the Longworths deserved what happened to them. Shirley says he replaced the thermostat "so there were more options to heat the house during the day.". 'But for Monserrate Shirley:' Betrayal next door - WRTV Once the trial began, rather than trying to claim their client was innocent, Black and Shircliff instead told the jury up front that he was guilty but of trying to start a small fire, not cause an explosion. While Shirley said he lost a lot, he pointed out the toll was much greater on his then-13-year-old daughter Brook. wishtv.com your home page, Business, Equity and Opportunities Podcast with Scott Sander. Many of the women reported that they met him on dating sites and that he soon began asking them for money. Shirley stated that her daughter had smelled gas during the week before the explosion. Hults faces no prison time to three years . Monserrate Shirley spent the entire day on the stand Wednesday, and the anticipation of her testimony was evident in courtroom attendance. You may have noticed that the name monserrate has been replaced with the word shirley, which is used in both a variety of other games and in the game of death. And I look at all the opportunity she had where she could have gone for help and she never did.. We again offer our condolences to the families of Dion and Jennifer Longworth and to those who suffered injury and loss. Monserrate Shirley spent the entire day on the stand Wednesday, and the anticipation of her testimony was evident in courtroom attendance. Another woman reported that she had loaned him about $5,000 for a construction job, which he had yet to pay back. The host family had a lot of horses, so Shirley's daughter went to play with them under the supervision of Holts' girlfriend, Sharon, whose teen daughters often watched the girl. "I am a nurse. Shirley says they were his. When you come out and say, My client attempted to commit insurance fraud through a small fire and this just happened, he had no idea, what the jury doesnt realize, because Im not allowed to tell them, is attempted insurance fraud even if coupled with reckless homicide is a class C felony. Its because the life of the game itself is the life of the game itself. She said Leonard had bought it a few months beforehand at that point. 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. 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? Mark. Robert Leonard, who was convicted of murder and multiple felonies, was sentenced to life without parole. 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. And then there was the arrangement that when I picked up my daughter I would get to take some of my belongings. Prosecutors then proposed an unusual strategy involving one trial, but three separate juries, one for each defendant. [37] She is serving her sentence at Indiana Women's Prison in Indianapolis. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Mark was a handsome man with sex appeal and a lot of money, judging by his stash of cash and fast luxury cars. On November 19, it was announced that the investigation had become a criminal investigation. On Thursday, Shirley worked a 12 hour shift. rosemary clooney george clooney relationship I want everyone to know how sorry I am for this horrible tragedy, she said in court in front of Richmond Hill residents. 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. [31][32][33] Bob Leonard was convicted on all 51 counts, including murder and conspiracy to commit arson, on February 24, 2016. And you have to weigh that out? Shirley says he and Monserrate married on July 17, 1993. Then there was the question of Leonards history. In an interview with former RTV6 reporter Stacia Matthews, Shirley suggested the explosion may have been an attempt on her life. It also didnt carry much weight for the families of Dion and Jennifer Longworth, who died in the blast. With good behavior, her earliest possible release date is Dec. 19, 2032. The next time, Monserrate Shirley said Mark Leonards brother, Bob, was supposed to carry out the plan. Leonard died around 9:15. Shirley spent hours on the stand. "Mark can insult [Thompson], and he never does anything," Shirley said. "I feel like, you know, it would have been better off for me to be there [at the house when it exploded]," Shirley said. The defense certainly offered to stipulate that 60 homes were damaged. This time, Shirley's daughterwas at home, but she was upstairs. The couple says their neighbor Bob Leonard was led away for questioning. Everything's under control.". You were a neighbor and you were a friend, Carlisle said. [36] Shirley was sentenced to 50 years in prison, the maximum possible under her plea agreement, on December 20, 2016. For years, the team holed up in that office three days a week to avoid being distracted by other ongoing cases. It was the last time she would be in her home before the explosion. [27], Mark Leonard's trial began in June 2015. Would you describe her demeanor the same way?" [2] Over sixty firefighters responded to the blaze. Much of Tuesdays testimony included accounts of Shirleys difficult childhood. While there had been some communications early on, we were not willing to offer Monserrate Shirley a significant deal for her cooperation, Robinson said. Prosecutors said Leonard planned to pay a person he thought was a hit man $15,000, giving him a $5,000 bonus if a witness in the case called police to say he had lied about information he had given investigators. Wednesday in court, Shirley said that at the July 4th pool party, she called lighting the house on fire crazy. He gave her $3,000 to use, and they lost it all. 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. It was unclear when the complaint was made and whether the utility company was alerted. Shirley says the house had three gas appliances when he lived there: furnace, water heater and fireplace. 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. In her sentencing order, Judge Sheila Carlisle repeatedly stressed that Shirley could have stopped the plan at any time but didnt. He also told Bob to go get Gary Thompson. IndyStar reporter Robert King contributed to this story. Once again, she agreed to make the same three arrangements: the casino reservation, a babysitter for her daughterand boarding for Snowball. Bob had been asking for his $10,000 payment before the explosion even happened. . She then spoke with another neighbor, who told her there had been an explosion. So in the end there were a couple of people who were opposed to it, and I respected that. "John Shirley, whose ex-wife Monserrate Shirley lives at the home with their 12 year-old-daughter, said he got a text from his daughter about a week-and-a-half ago telling him the heat. Shirley and her boyfriend Mark Leonard were out of town for the weekend while her 12-year-old daughter stayed with friends. "Everything they were telling me, it could not be possible," Shirley said on the stand as she started to get emotional. Shirley: "Back in August (2011) she just stopped taking my phone calls and letting me talk to Brook. Leonard is charged with 53 counts of murder, arson and conspiracy. wikipedia.en/Richmond_Hill_explosion.md at main - github.com Leonard said he talked to Gary Thompson without her, telling him they were ready to do it. BREAKING: By a vote of 24-38, New York's State Senate has voted against same-sex marriage legislation. and one-eighth, Zionsvilles Brian Mason will be Colts coordinator, Indy east side fire kills dog, injures multiple people, Record breaking weather week in central Indiana, Indiana state trooper hit, killed in the line of, New billboard in Fountain Square tackles antisemitism, Trooper killed on I-69, speeding driver arrested, Everything you need to know about the 2023 Academy, Congressman Baird calls for pause on toxic shipments, Congress works to tackle military spouse unemployment, Indy man gets 16 years after shooting wife in arm, Spencer man killed in rollover crash on I-70, 3 Ind. Shirley: "Yes. So there wasnt a great deal of pressure on us, or desire by us, to offer her anything.. 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. Monserrate Shirley sentencing: 'She is the worst of the bunch' - WTHR More: Richmond Hill: 'The scars still remain', More: Richmond Hill explosion: 'It's the toughest thing I've ever done in my career', More: Richmond Hill explosion: 7 keys that solved the case. She grabbed a few pictures, including the canvas portrait of her daughterat age 5 that hung above the fireplace. . Aaron Carter. She lived in the four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home with her daughter. Again, Monserrate agreed to do her same three preparations: a casino hotel reservation, a babysitter for her daughterand boarding for Snowball. Monserrate Shirley, Mark Leonard: 'Killer Couples' Airs Richmond Hills But she had no hesitation when asked to identify the Longworths as her neighbors. 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. While still at the hotel, Mark asked her to call a heating & cooling company on Sunday, November 4, to see what they would charge to check on the heat because the house was too cold. [7] Shirley told the police she never smelled any natural gas, but that her daughter had thought she did recently. Thompson left after a few hours and Shirley didn't hear anything else before the first attempt that Saturday. On multiple occasions Wednesday, Shirley said she didnt say no to Mark Leonard because she loved him. [38], Gary Thompson pled guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. On December 21, 2012, Monserrate Shirley, Mark Leonard, and his brother Bob Leonard were charged with 2 counts of felony murder and . Sgt. We firmly believed that Gary Thompson played a role, but until she cooperated, we couldnt prove that, Robinson said. . She asked that Mark and Bob switch it back out for the nicer version. Download the RTV6 app to get the latest live blog posts as the proceedings unfold. Indiana Man Convicted of Murder in Home Explosion Case - Insurance Journal Shirley: "No.". [6] Prosecutors also allege that he offered the hit man a $5,000 bonus if he made the murder look like a suicide. Thats time served, and hes out. Its about remembering who you are. "He'll do anything I ask," Mark said of his brother. The men were reportedly in the home briefly and hurriedly left. Mark started telling Shirley they needed to get their stories straight before police started asking questions. Bob Leonard, Monserrate Shirley, Gary Thompson and Glenn Hults also face charges in connection to the explosion. I cant give back what was taken from them on November 10. "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.". Check those tickets! Gary Thompsonwas handed a 30-year prison sentence, 20 years executed, for his role in the murderous insurance fraud scheme. 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. 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. And the water heater." But she put an end to that in August 2011.". On December 21, 2012, Monserrate Shirley, Mark Leonard, and his brother Bob Leonard were charged with 2 counts of felony murder and . We've got a few more.". And in each of those categories, you betrayed your trust.. Marion County Superior Court Judge Sheila Carlisle sentenced Monserrate Shirley to spend the maximum sentence of 50 years in prison on Tuesday. 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. Required fields are marked *. This story is Chapter III of a three-part series. Eventually, hed be asked to repeat her answer at her boyfriends murder trial. Officials did not release further information regarding his death. On Monday, November 5, they changed out the thermostat for a "cheaper" model. That's whatwe'll be asking the jury to consider.". I dont feel bad for Mr. Leonard, said Don Buxton, father of Jennifer Longworth, who was killed in the blast with her husband, Dion. 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. As stated previously, the investigation and prosecution of this matter has literally taken tens of thousands of hours of effort by numerous individuals. In the game of death, monserrate daughter is the only way to be reunited with the game of life. Shirley claims Leonard coerced her involvement, testifying that he threatened her and her daughter. She told her daughter a friend had taken it to put a new frame on it. 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. Indianapolis blast: house owner, 2 others accused of deadly plot Prosecutors alleged Leonard was the mastermind behind the explosion, plotting with his. Jurors will later hear that the golf bags and clubs were found at Bob Leonard's home after the explosion. She was crying and hysterical and said the house blew up.". I had a homicide detective crying on the stand. I went into the breakroom and texted my ex about what happened. Shirley recalled a later conversation that she had with Bob and Mark Leonard, after the explosion. Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. At the time of the explosion, Shirley says he was living in Noblesville. Leonard got sick in March 2012. At about 11:10p.m., on November 10, 2012, a large explosion occurred in Richmond Hill, a subdivision on the southeast side of Indianapolis. They'd soon get a new roommate. None of them had given any indication they were willing to take a plea under the terms prosecutors were offering. Shirley said that she was at a casino bar at the time of the explosion, and her boyfriend and daughter -- who also live with her -- weren't home either. The girlwas already out of the house while they cleared it of the sentimental items. The blast killed two people and. Crime scene photos from the Richmond Hill explosion He told her to tell Holts, though, that they would be trying the fire again that night (Sunday night). On top of his prior criminal convictions, at the time of his arrest, Mark Leonard was being sued civilly by multiple women who accused him of scamming them out of money through online dating sites. They claim that Leonard wanted the hit man to force the witness to call 9-1-1 and recant his statement before killing him. It wasnt the only curveball Black and Shircliff would throw at the prosecution. And then there was the arrangement that when I picked up my daughter I would get to take some of my belongings. 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. 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. The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. Prosecutors entered all three into evidence Tuesday. PHOTOS: First Richmond Hill trial Mark Leonard is on. Somebody knew that I was out of town. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Monserrate and John had the home in Richmond Hill built in 2003. Shirley says he was worried Brook's cat Snowball was in the house and might have been killed. "It's like waking up to this bad dream," Shirley said, her voice cracking as tears flowed down her cheeks. She came into the courtroom looking much different than she did the weekend of the explosion in 2012. 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.