For one thing, the trial team deputy prosecutors Denise Robinson and Mark Hollingsworth, plus two junior deputies would have to wade through an entire subdivision-worth of evidence to build, arguably, the largest criminal prosecution in Indiana history. But she put an end to that in August 2011.". Glenn told me, Between Mark and Gary, theyre going to explode the whole neighborhood. I said, Dont play like that. 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/. After demands for a vote on the bill, we finally received one. 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? Aaron Carter. Its a difficult case. The Richmond Hill neighbors had been waiting long enough without a trial. And the game of death is the game of life itself. Defense attorneys tried to play that video for jurors Wednesday, but the judge wouldnt allow it. "I want $300,000. Glenn Hults, who pleaded guilty to a felony for knowing about the plot but failing to report it to police, is scheduled for sentencing on December 28. 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. Shirley recalled a later conversation that she had with Bob and Mark Leonard, after the explosion. monserrate is the name of the dish, as well as its chef and owner. Im telling the truth and nothing but the truth was a phrase repeated by Monserrate Shirley throughout the day. "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.". Monserrate Shirley said Mark Leonard was very, very mad., Mark Leonard said, Were going to do it again. Shirley had earlier cooperated in providing testimony against alleged co-conspirators but. 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. 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. You were a nurse. Follow her on Twitter:@hollyvhays. She was inspired by the way Chef Alberto Marinovich put on this dish and it was a joy to serve. I had a homicide detective crying on the stand. A second home was reduced to rubble as well, and other houses were half-collapsed. Monserrate Shirley, 51, was one of five people charged in the explosion that left two people dead. 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. Mark. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. 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. Once they were alone, Leonard, Holts and Shirley started talking about the fire again while they sat around the pool drinking beer. The sentence accounts for time served and good. For one: She had earned a reputation as a master liar, as Mark Leonards defense team would later call her. And the water heater." Follow us on Twitter at @AOLRealEstate, or connect with AOL Real Estate on Facebook and Pinterest. . While we knew that Monserrate Shirley on her own would never have caused this crime, it couldnt have happened without her. She was the neighbor that all the other neighbors were looking at. Bad food, non-first class flights drop Colts to middle-of-pack in player survey. It had three gas appliances - the water heater, the furnace and the fireplace. Leonard went to pick up Thompson in the white van witnesses in the neighborhood have previously testified seeing in Shirley's driveway. Her sister had lived in the same housing complex. We did the right thing, for the right reason, and got the right result in the right way.. Her sister had lived in the same housing complex. Shirleys apology rang hollow to many Richmond Hill residents in the courtroom. Shirley said she has a condition with her tear ducts that makes her unable to produce tears, so people dont think Im crying for real.. She lived in the four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home with her daughter. [9], Investigators discovered a number of allegations of insurance fraud and other scams by Leonard prior to the blast, particularly involving stolen or wrecked automobiles. But she had no hesitation when asked to identify the Longworths as her neighbors. [23] The plea deal involved Shirley pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit arson in exchange for testifying against the other suspects. Shirley may have been the prosecution's highest profile witness, but that doesn't mean they're done. [6] They had arranged for Shirley's 12-year-old daughter to stay with friends and had boarded their cat, Snowball, for the weekend. towns among 150 Best Small Town in America, Citizens support Ind. Shirley met Mark Leonard. [2] Over sixty firefighters responded to the blaze. 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. 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. Shirley said she has been reeling from the pain of people blaming her for the tragic event. SOUTH BEND, Ind. . 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. [5], Monserrate "Moncy" Shirley, a nurse, owned the home at the center of the explosion. 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. If I could bring Dion and Jennifer back, I would do that in a heartbeat, she said. Thompson arrived on Monday or Tuesday, October 22-23, while Shirley's daughter was at school. That's whatwe'll be asking the jury to consider.". I dont wish them any hardship. He told her his friend Glenn Holts had done the same at his own house with help from Gary Thompson, who worked for Leonard at the time. Later that same day, an attorney asked Shirley if the Longworths deserved what happened to them. INTERACTIVE MAP|Residents relive Richmond Hill explosion, ViewExplosion Damaged Homesin a larger map, Download the new and improved RTV6 app to get the latest news on the go and receive alerts to your phone, Sign up to have the latest news headlines delivered straight to your email inbox, Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Indianapolis, IN Interactive Weather Radar, Full testimony: Monserrate Shirley takes the stand. [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. Shirley is originally from Puerto Rico. Of the dozens and dozens of homes damaged by the blast, 33 were affected so severely they had to be demolished. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She was crying and hysterical and said the house blew up.". Shirley says Monserrate got the house in the divorce. And then there was the arrangement that when I picked up my daughter I would get to take some of my belongings. 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. The topic came up again around July 4. 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 have morals.I love my patients and I would do anything for them. As Mark Leonards defense team would point out repeatedly throughout his trial, there was a chance, however small, that Shirleys cooperation could end with her walking free at the end. PHOTOS: First Richmond Hill trial Mark Leonard is on. But I dont feel bad for the deceased.. Shirley says he and Monserrate married on July 17, 1993. I was at one of my part-time jobs when I got a text from my daughter, which was very unusual. All I can say is, I had one small role in this. Until shed agreed and signed on the dotted line, there were things I could not tell them. 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. I went into the breakroom and texted my ex about what happened. They went to the casino and waited for the call that a fire had broken out, but again, the call never came. Leonard told him Shirley was ready and she agreed. [34][35], Monserrate Shirley pled guilty to conspiracy to commit arson. Gary Thompson pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit arson and received a 30-year sentence, with 10 years suspended. She said that she hasn't been eating or sleeping well and that she has been taking Xanax to get what little sleep she can. . In a deposition before the trial, though, she reported saying, "I'm not doing this. The first time Shirley cried on the stand Wednesday was when she was asked about her neighbors. 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. He said that his daughter had mentioned that the furnace wasn't working, and he wondered whether a gas leak ignited the blast.