The jury found 46-year-old Mark Leonard guilty of all counts against him, including murder and felony murder. She never got a call, though. Shirley: "Yes. [14] In April 2015, a fifth man, Glenn Hults, was charged with conspiracy to commit arson. Heappears to have died of natural causes. ", Minch: "At no time did she ever say she was involved in the explosion?" Made and inspired by a love triangle, this was written by a girl from Italy. According to Shirley, he said the house fire would happen, "even if I have to step in the living room and light up this house myself.". [3][4] Damage to homes in the neighborhood was estimated at $4 million. Mark then asked Bob twice to "go get the part that we need." She later worked at St. Francis and Community South. 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. 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. I didnt want to do anything that would cause that trial date to be continued.. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Shirley testified that friends called and told her there was a huge explosion. But ultimately I think we were able to accomplish what we needed to do for her.. Estimates for the total scope of the damage caused by the explosion exceeded $4.5 million. 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. Below, former IMPD Det. . John moved out in February 2010 and their divorce was finalized that summer. None of them had given any indication they were willing to take a plea under the terms prosecutors were offering. We did the right thing, for the right reason, and got the right result in the right way.. And I understand it, because of their feelings about her. ", 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?" Most importantly, Shirleys testimony would further tip the scales against the Leonard brothers. In addition to his roofing business, Mastercraft, Leonard also flipped cars on the side. 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. A tag already exists with the provided branch name. Its very difficult sentencing hearing weve been through for two days. "No one.". And your daughter lost some things?" Two of those alleged co-conspirators were arrested as a direct result of her cooperation: Gary Thompson and Glenn Holts. She remained in the house as the sole owner until the explosion. The home was owned by his girlfriend at the time, Monserrate Shirley, who testified earlier this month that Bob. I tried to ignore Mark Leonards history as much as I could, Robinson said. They enter into evidence two golf bags with clubs and a driver. After the second failed attempt to burn the home, Monserrate Shirley said she went to the home of Glenn Hults to pick up her daughter. 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. I dont feel bad for Mr. Leonard, said Don Buxton, father of Jennifer Longworth, who was killed in the blast with her husband, Dion. She testified Wednesday she has a condition that prevents her tear ducts from actually producing tears. Thats time served, and hes out. Monserrate Shirley and Mark leonard, profiled on the next "American Greed," staged a natural gas explosion to collect the insurance on their Indianapolis home. . Robinson has said she will argue for 50 when the time comes. According to Shirleys account, she was struggling to stay financially afloat when she met Leonard, and within a month of dating, he came up with the idea. [24], On March 28, 2015, Mark Leonard was charged with conspiring to murder the key witness against him, Mark Duckworth. "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. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys asked Shirley if she thought Hults was joking. Mr. Monserrate Morales was born on January 7, 1955 in Puerto Rico. 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. 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. Shirley struck a plea deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. To this day, absolutely they had the right to do that. [7] Shirley told the police she never smelled any natural gas, but that her daughter had thought she did recently. The shirley daughter is an Italian restaurant that takes more than 15 minutes to make you feel at home. She was 11 years old at that point. Dion and Jennifer Longworth, two occupants in the house at 8355 Fieldfare Way, died in the explosion; seven others were injured. While there had been some communications early on, we were not willing to offer Monserrate Shirley a significant deal for her cooperation, Robinson said. For her cooperation with the prosecutions of the Leonard brothers, and the information she provided that led to the convictions of Hults and Thompson, Monserrate Shirley was spared the possibility of life without parole. Shortly thereafter I moved some furniture into the apartment. "I was at one of my part-time jobs when I got a text from my daughter, which was very unusual. FORT WAYNE, Ind. Shirley testified Leonard asked to see the insurance policy on the home within a few weeks of moving in. I was at one of my part-time jobs when I got a text from my daughter, which was very unusual. Should I have accepted that stipulation? The two divorced on July 25, 2011. Jordan Fischer is the senior digital reporter for RTV6. 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. Instead, on Dec. 20, 2016 - after a two-day sentencing hearing that would be the closest her former neighbors would get to seeing her on trial - Shirley was sentenced to the maximum term of 50 years in prison. Shirley: "Yes. Glenn told me, Between Mark and Gary, theyre going to explode the whole neighborhood. I said, Dont play like that. Shirley: "No.". She came into the courtroom looking much different than she did the weekend of the explosion in 2012. Neighbors, family testify in sentencing hearing of Monserrate Shirley, owner of the home. They went to the casino and waited for the call that a fire had broken out, but again, the call never came. A second mortgage had been taken out on the home for $65,000 in addition to the original mortgage of $116,000. She transferred from her job in Michigan to the VA hospital in Indianapolis, where she worked for 17 years, focusing in the ICU. Prosecuting Mark Leonard presented with some challenges. ", 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]. Iwas scared. Shirley says he was working at Eli Lilly at the time, and Monserrate was working as an RN at the VA hospital. 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. When they arrived, Mark told her the fire would happen Saturday night so she needed to ask to keep their room a second night (Saturday night). "I mean, I'm totally devastated like my neighbors are.". Mark Leonard first mentioned trying to burn the house down in February 2012, according to Shirley. (WISH) Monserrate Shirley told jurors Wednesday she would do anything for Mark Leonard, because she was in love with him. I said, You guys are crazy, that my house is too big.. Shirley claims Leonard coerced her involvement, testifying that he threatened her and her daughter. Prosecutors then proposed an unusual strategy involving one trial, but three separate juries, one for each defendant. We've got a few more.". FOLLOW|Rafael Sanchez on Twitter|Jordan Fischer on Twitter, RELATED LINKS |Richmond Hill Special Section|Mark Ray Leonard convicted on all counts. John Shirley, 50, of Noblesville, told The Associated Press that his daughter sent him a text message last week complaining that the furnace in the home where she lives with her mother and her. Monserrate Shirley was a divorced Puerto Rican mother whose exotic looks quickly attracted Mark Leonard. The most money she ever remembered seeing him lose on a single trip was $7,000. [20] The trials started in 2015. [38], Gary Thompson pled guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. 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. Monserrate Shirley and her boyfriend, Mark Leonard, who lived in the home, along with Leonard's brother, Robert Leonard, were arrested Friday on 48 charges, including murder and arson. [16][17] The alleged motive for the arson was to collect insurance money to ease financial strain. Leonard went to pick up Thompson in the white van witnesses in the neighborhood have previously testified seeing in Shirley's driveway. "You face one, you get over one and you've got another one all the way until the end. [34][35], Monserrate Shirley pled guilty to conspiracy to commit arson. 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. She said she did not tell officers at the time what happened because she was scared. The brothers were sentenced to terms of life without parole for spearheading the conspiracy. While Shirley said he lost a lot, he pointed out the toll was much greater on his then-13-year-old daughter Brook. He says he "was very surprised" to learn Snowball had been boarded on the night of the explosion. ", Minch: "You've had problems over the years with the furnace and the water heater. You can't do anything," he said. Thompson said he'd been pulled over by a cop so he couldn't get to the house. 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. Deputy Prosecutor DeniseRobinson has said she will argue for 50 when the time comes. 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. 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. "[6] The witness also told investigators that Leonard talked about buying a Ferrari with the insurance money from the house. The now 49-year-old originally faced life in prison without parole. So in the end there were a couple of people who were opposed to it, and I respected that. The defense certainly offered to stipulate that 60 homes were damaged. She has already been behind bars for four years. At one point, after one of the failed attempts to burn the home, Monserrate Shirley said she offered Mark Leonard her 401k instead. There's little remaining of Shirley's home (pictured at left) after Saturday's explosion. She, at first, struggled to identify her other neighbors. Prosecutors alleged Leonard was the mastermind behind the explosion that damaged or destroyed more than 80 homes in Indianapolis, plotting with his then-live-in girlfriend Monserrate Shirley. 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. From confusion to conviction, Richmond Hill blast recapped. The third weekends attempt was the one that killed the Longworths. ", Minch: "You said you talked to Ms. Shirley on the 11th. At the end of the interview, Carter asked Shirley what should happen to the person responsible for the explosion. 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. She was crying and hysterical and said the house blew up.". 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. [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. [16] On March 13, Leonard allegedly placed a call to a man who he believed to be a hit man. And I wanted to be able to tell them everything., TRANSCRIPT | The full testimony of Monserrate Shirley. Will they get to the felony murder?. The home also had a microwave above the stove which had a programmable timer. She would then go to a southside bar to meet Mark before they left for the casino. She asked that Mark and Bob switch it back out for the nicer version. Her sister had lived in the same housing complex. They claim that Leonard wanted the hit man to force the witness to call 9-1-1 and recant his statement before killing him. He said that his daughter had mentioned that the furnace wasn't working, and he wondered whether a gas leak ignited the blast. It was run by the daughter of a famous American actor who was very close to the owner. Follow her on Twitter:@hollyvhays. One small job. Leonard is the brother of Mark Leonard, who is dating Montserrate Shirley, who along with Mark Leonard, lives in the home . 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." The girlwas already out of the house while they cleared it of the sentimental items. Shirley, her boyfriend Mark Leonard, and three others were convicted and sentenced to prison on various charges, including felony murder for Leonard. Robert Leonard, who was convicted of murder and multiple felonies, was sentenced to life without parole. 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. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison on the arson charges on top of two life sentences for the murder charges. Robinson, all-too-aware of the limitations of the justice system after decades as a prosecutor, says she is just glad they were able to get some amount of justice for the victims. Shirley's next-door neighbors, John and Jennifer Longworth, died in the blast. She even took some leave from work to stay with him longer than her paid vacation time allowed. I want everyone to know how sorry I am for this horrible tragedy, she said in court in front of Richmond Hill residents. Yes, I didnt think it would be possible, Monserrate Shirley said.HUGE EXPLOSION. I care about people. [6] He questioned her about the multiple boardings of her cat, Snowball, which he found odd. She explained that Snowball had anxiety. The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. 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. She grabbed a few pictures, including the canvas portrait of her daughterat age 5 that hung above the fireplace. She talked about being Catholic and said it was in God's hands, but still, they should be punished.". Until shed agreed and signed on the dotted line, there were things I could not tell them. Shirley: "I moved out in February of 2011. They then worked to establish a pattern of poor decisions in her personal life and changing stories throughout the investigation. 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. (Item updated.) This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. At the time her friends called her, Monserrate was at a casino with Mark Leonard. It was unclear when the complaint was made and whether the utility company was alerted. When she left that morning, her daughterand Snowball were still there (Mark was going to take them to school and the kennel). Monserrate Shirley, who had pleaded not guilty after she and two men were charged in late 2012, appeared before a Marion County judge in a courtroom filled with current and former residents of the . Mark Leonards trial at the St. Joseph County Courthouse was eventful before it even started. She didnt know anyone died, she said. The family, he said, will never truly get closure. 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. Shirley said she was attracted to Mark Leonard, particularly noting he was well-dressed and had bleach blonde hair. [27], Mark Leonard's trial began in June 2015. 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. Minch: "Before that, you did have some problems with the pilot light on the furnace?" 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. Leonard, his ex-girlfriend Monserrate Shirley, his half-brother Robert Leonard and Mark Leonards former employee blew up Shirleys home in the Richmond Hill subdivision to collect about $300,000 in insurance money to pay off the houses mortgage and Mark Leonards gambling and credit card debts. [15], Prosecutors contended that the trio filled the house with natural gas and then used the spark from a microwave which could be set in advance to detonate it. [36] Shirley was sentenced to 50 years in prison, the maximum possible under her plea agreement, on December 20, 2016.
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