Required fields are marked *. Shirley recalled a later conversation that she had with Bob and Mark Leonard, after the explosion. The shirley daughter is an Italian restaurant that takes more than 15 minutes to make you feel at home. Leonard died around 9:15. It's also possible she will walk free if the judge sentences. 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 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. 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. When the relationship first started, she said, "He was a nice guy. She was inspired by the way Chef Alberto Marinovich put on this dish and it was a joy to serve. At the end of the interview, Carter asked Shirley what should happen to the person responsible for the explosion. And the water heater." We did what prosecutors are supposed to do. They are charged with. 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 she wept while speaking publicly for the first time about the horrific incident. 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. They'd soon get a new roommate. 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. It was unclear when the complaint was made and whether the utility company was alerted. It was run by the daughter of a famous American actor who was very close to the owner. It also didnt carry much weight for the families of Dion and Jennifer Longworth, who died in the blast. SOUTH BEND, Ind. I should have been there.". Critics have accused Shirley of faking her reaction after the explosion because she seemed upset but never shed a tear. As of summer 2022 the show has aired sixteen . See also:Shantonia Heard of Atlanta Left Her 2 Children Alone With No Power and Gas Oven On, Police Say Apartment Fire Safety Tips Man Killed as Gas Explosion Destroys Connecticut Home. Monserrate Shirley and Mark leonard, profiled on the next "American Greed," staged a natural gas explosion to collect the insurance on their Indianapolis home. Shirley testified in Fort Wayne at the trial of Bob Leonard, Jr. one of five people accused in the deadly 2012 Richmond Hill Explosion. There have been days with only two people in the audience other than media, but there were more than 30 Wednesday. Thompson left after a few hours and Shirley didn't hear anything else before the first attempt that Saturday. Robinson also couldnt tell the residents that Shirleys cooperation would mean charges against two more suspects: Gary Thompson and Glenn Hults. Mark started telling Shirley they needed to get their stories straight before police started asking questions. [38], Gary Thompson pled guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Later that same day, an attorney asked Shirley if the Longworths deserved what happened to them. Shirley may have been the prosecution's highest profile witness, but that doesn't mean they're done. 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. 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 was crying and hysterical and said the house blew up.". He occasionally worked on those cars at Shirley's home so she saw he had a wide array of tools. 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. If that timeline holds, final jury instructions would be given Monday, July 13 then deliberation would begin. They moved into a home they built in Richmond Hill toward the end of 2003. Mark Leonard moved in with Monserrate Shirley about a month later. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Glenn Hults, the final defendant to stand trial for the explosion, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, Bryce Young falls short: 5-10 . She later found out her neighbors didnt make it. On multiple occasions Wednesday, Shirley said she didnt say no to Mark Leonard because she loved him. The explosion in the subdivision just south of the city on Saturday, Nov. 10, killed John and Jennifer Longworth. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison. Monserrate Shirley leaves court after learning her sentence. "You can't even do a fire. [6] Jeffrey Wager and IMPD investigators, Lt. Mario Garza and IFD investigators, agents of the Federal ATF, and our trial team for their commitment and perseverance to bring justice for the Richmond Hill residents.. There was discussion about: Should we cut all of those? It was never no for an answer. He was, however, eventually able to return to his hobby of umpiring softball. The program is a spin-off of the Oxygen series Snapped and has a similar format to the Investigation Discovery program Wicked Attraction. She will be 72 years old. Start the day smarter Notable deaths in 2023 The world's largest war 2023 meteor showers . We firmly believed that Gary Thompson played a role, but until she cooperated, we couldnt prove that, Robinson said. 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. 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. The now 49-year-old originally faced life in prison without parole. A second mortgage had been taken out on the home for $65,000 in addition to the original mortgage of $116,000. "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. 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. 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. 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. Prosecutors contend that the motorcycle was disassembled in Shirley's garage. Your email address will not be published. Monserrate Shirley, 51, was one of five people charged in the explosion that left two people dead. So while I had that, I pretty quickly set it aside and put it in a file marked Mark Leonard and never looked at it, because I couldnt allow that to influence me in the decision. I dont know why they did it. Leonard asked Holts to tell the story of his own fire, how easily he'd gotten the money and to re-assure Shirley everything would be alright if they did it at her house. The topic came up again around July 4. One small job. She was the one who got her daughter and her cat out of the situation and left her neighbors in the situation. Its about not letting the person who was watching your game die ever have a say in your game. Get caught up on the first two chapters here:Chapter I: The Night the Sky Caught Fire|Chapter II: The $4 Million Arson Plot. The most money she ever remembered seeing him lose on a single trip was $7,000. She met Mark Leonard at a bar on November 12, 2011. But these were good defense attorneys. [22], On January 16, 2015, Shirley agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors. Monserrate Shirley, 49, said she became distraught when neighbors telephoned her after the November 2012 explosion and told her that her home was destroyed. The couple says their neighbor Bob Leonard was led away for questioning. Monserrate Shirley spent the entire day on the stand Wednesday, and the anticipation of her testimony was evident in courtroom attendance. Monserrate Shirley spent the entire day on the stand Wednesday, and the anticipation of her testimony was evident in courtroom attendance. . She said Mark didn't actually want anyone to come to the house, he just wanted a trail they could point to after the fire so they could explain why they were in the hotel. 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. She then got food for them both and went back to the room around midnight. Again, Monserrate agreed to do her same three preparations: a casino hotel reservation, a babysitter for her daughterand boarding for Snowball. She and her husband Gabriel Ferrer (son of Rosemary Clooney and Jos Ferrer, and a first cousin to George Clooney) had four children: Jordan Alexander Ferrer (born July 8, 1980), twin girls (Gabrielle Monserrate Ferrer & Dustin Boone Ferrer, born September 17, 1983), and Tessa Ferrer (born March 30, 1986). 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. Neighbors, family testify in sentencing hearing of Monserrate Shirley, owner of the home. You were a neighbor and you were a friend, Carlisle said. 2023 CIRCLE CITY BROADCASTING I, LLC. Police became suspicious when they uncovered evidence that the couple had taken similar steps the previous weekend; the cat had been boarded and Shirley's daughter had been placed with a babysitter overnight before the couple went to the casino. Its also the name of the game of death in which our monserrate daughter will be taking us on. With good behavior, her earliest possible release date is Dec. 19, 2032. Shirley is originally from Puerto Rico. Its very difficult sentencing hearing weve been through for two days. In a deposition before the trial, though, she reported saying, "I'm not doing this. [31][32][33] Bob Leonard was convicted on all 51 counts, including murder and conspiracy to commit arson, on February 24, 2016. Mark Leonards trial at the St. Joseph County Courthouse was eventful before it even started. This time, Mark and Bob talked alone while Monserrate left to pick up her daughter. And you have to weigh that out? Once they were alone, Leonard, Holts and Shirley started talking about the fire again while they sat around the pool drinking beer. Monserrate Shirley cried at various points Wednesdaybut didnt shed any actual tears. Monserrate Shirley, 49, would have to testify against former boyfriend Mark Leonard and his brother in the plea deal . The brothers were sentenced to terms of life without parole for spearheading the conspiracy. 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. Ms. Shirley, 47, and Mark Leonard, 43, her boyfriend, were 100 miles away at a casino when their home blew up. They got to the room, but Mark wasn't feeling well so he stayed there while Shirley played slot machines for about an hour. She asked Mark not to try the house fire plan again. ", Minch: "At no time did she ever say she was involved in the explosion?" And then there was the arrangement that when I picked up my daughter I would get to take some of my belongings. "No one.". Shirley claims Leonard coerced her involvement, testifying that he threatened her and her daughter. Follow his reporting on Twitter at @Jordan_RTV6 or on Facebook. 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. The blast killed two people and. He said that his daughter had mentioned that the furnace wasn't working, and he wondered whether a gas leak ignited the blast. Shirley says he and Monserrate married on July 17, 1993. She will not learn her fate until after all four of her alleged co-conspirators has been tried. 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. When she told him, Holts said, "Between Mark and Gary, they're going to blow up the whole neighborhood.". Monserrate and John had the home in Richmond Hill built in 2003. "I don't understand it," Shircliff said of the judge's ruling. From confusion to conviction, Richmond Hill blast recapped. [6] Prosecutors also allege that he offered the hit man a $5,000 bonus if he made the murder look like a suicide. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "Except her cat, the clothes on her back and a teddy bear she got when she was 1.". Im telling the truth and nothing but the truth was a phrase repeated by Monserrate Shirley throughout the day. But I dont feel bad for the deceased.. Shirley spent hours on the stand. [18], Prosecutors initially sought to try the suspects together, but the defendants were granted the right to separate trials. Shirley: "Yes. "Everybody's pointing a finger at me like I did something wrong," Shirley said in a video posted on the Indianapolis Star newspaper's website. Shirley met Mark Leonard. Until shed agreed and signed on the dotted line, there were things I could not tell them. I had seen it used in a couple of games, but I never knew it was the name of a real person. Mark and Bob stayed in the garage while they talked about what Bob's part would be, while Shirley stayed inside. Dont make that kind of joke, Shirley testified. And I wanted to be able to tell them everything., TRANSCRIPT | The full testimony of Monserrate Shirley. Monserrate Shirley was a divorced Puerto Rican mother whose exotic looks quickly attracted Mark Leonard. And I understand it, because of their feelings about her. As his court date neared, the workload ramped up. Shirley struck a plea deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. So in the game of death, monserrate daughter is the Shirley of the game of death. We knew we were taking a week of testimony from the residents to talk about what had happened to their houses, Robinson said. By December 2014, two years after the explosion in the Richmond Hill subdivision, prosecutors were preparing to go to trial without any cooperating witnesses. [16][17] The alleged motive for the arson was to collect insurance money to ease financial strain. But ultimately I think we were able to accomplish what we needed to do for her.. Should we not use all those witnesses? ", 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]. Gary Thompsonwas handed a 30-year prison sentence, 20 years executed, for his role in the murderous insurance fraud scheme. We've got a few more.". [3][4] Damage to homes in the neighborhood was estimated at $4 million. . IndyStar reporter Robert King contributed to this story. They went home together that night and he moved in the first week of December. The sentence accounts for time served and good. When we got in this case, we were asked to save her life, said defense attorney James Voyles. 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. 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. He gave her $3,000 to use, and they lost it all. The only improvement he ever made was to buy two flat screen TV's, a 65-70 inch model for the master bedroom and a 42 inch screen for her daughter'sroom. In exchange, she offered him the money in her 401K. Authorities blamed a natural gas explosion inside the home of Monserrate Shirley, who was away at the time of the explosion. "Everything they were telling me, it could not be possible," Shirley said on the stand as she started to get emotional. Your email address will not be published. The Richmond Hill neighbors had been waiting long enough without a trial. The home also had a microwave above the stove which had a programmable timer. . [13] A fourth person, Gary Thompson, was charged in January 2015 on the same charges. She got in the van with them, and Mark asked her to give Bob $40. (WISH) Monserrate Shirley told jurors Wednesday she would do anything for Mark Leonard, because she was in love with him. 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. 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. [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. He says the log lighter worked fine when he lived there. Robinson could not tell them, for example, that Shirley would be facing a sentencing range of 20-50 years in prison. monserrate is a real-life cousin of Shirley, and its said that her daughter monserrate will be taking us on when we die. 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. She was too involved. Shirley would receive over $300,000 in insurance money for the replacement of the home as well as personal items. 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. 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. It wasnt the only curveball Black and Shircliff would throw at the prosecution. Shirley said she would come back immediately, but they told her there was no house to come back to. While we knew that Monserrate Shirley on her own would never have caused this crime, it couldnt have happened without her. They decided to cut a piece of cardboard to block off the chimney path. For years, the team holed up in that office three days a week to avoid being distracted by other ongoing cases. I didn't do nothing wrong.". [27], Mark Leonard's trial began in June 2015. On Monday, November 5, they changed out the thermostat for a "cheaper" model. She could face 20-50 years in prison. Her role in the plan and execution of this act protected her own child and the family pet, but failed to consider the obvious danger it presented to anyone else. Shirley: "She wanted us to live in a bigger house. 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. It was a restaurant that had the name of a famous Italian poet who died young, but the restaurant only lasted for a year. Before meeting Mark, Shirley had never been to a casino. John Shirley, her ex-husband, who owns the home with her, told The Associated Press that he believed the home's faulty furnace could have led to the explosion. Its about becoming who you were meant to be. 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. Shirley: "She lost everything. FOLLOW|Rafael Sanchez on Twitter|Jordan Fischer on Twitter, RELATED LINKS |Richmond Hill Special Section|Mark Ray Leonard convicted on all counts. You were a mom. Make FORT WAYNE, Ind. "Cases are made up of hurdles all the time," Robinson said Wednesday. Defense attorney Ted Minch on cross-examination: "You're not happy to be here today." Shirley says he was working at Eli Lilly at the time, and Monserrate was working as an RN at the VA hospital. She was crying and hysterical and said the house blew up.". 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. After speaking with detectives, they went to Mark's sister's home, where they spent the night. 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. HOW TO SOLVE ERROR CODE PII_EMAIL_DE03C2D55A4B639F558D. The home was owned by his girlfriend at the time, Monserrate Shirley, who testified earlier this month that Bob. Prosecutors told Judge Marnocha Tuesday they will likely rest their case next Wednesday or Thursday. The jury found 46-year-old Mark Leonard guilty of all counts against him, including murder and felony murder. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She found a house with a floorplan she liked." A prosecuting attorney showed her a photo of the house that exploded and asked her who lived on either side of her. Shirley didn't hear anything more about a plot to start a fire that night, and nothing happened. Among the "no" votes, inexplicably: political dancer Hiram Monserrate. Monserrate Shirley was given the house after her divorce. She found a house with a floorplan she liked." Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. I care about people. 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. [36] Shirley was sentenced to 50 years in prison, the maximum possible under her plea agreement, on December 20, 2016. She even took some leave from work to stay with him longer than her paid vacation time allowed. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison on the arson charges on top of two life sentences for the murder charges. It was a good feeling.. 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. 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. [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. Mark then asked Bob twice to "go get the part that we need." 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. 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. The November 2012 blast claimed the lives of John and Jennifer Longworth and spawned an investigation that landed five people behind bars. Below, former IMPD Det. Jordan Fischer is the senior digital reporter for RTV6. I cant give back what was taken from them on November 10. . 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. She lived in the four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home with her daughter. Then there was the question of Leonards history. Follow us on Twitter at @AOLRealEstate, or connect with AOL Real Estate on Facebook and Pinterest. I didnt want it to affect the trial date, Robinson said. "That cannot be real. Below, find a transcript of John Shirley's testimony from Tuesday's hearing: 2:22 p.m. John Shirley, Monserrate Shirley's ex-husband, called as witness. They went to the casino and waited for the call that a fire had broken out, but again, the call never came. [2] Over sixty firefighters responded to the blaze. 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. Shirley: "No. I look at a neighbor that I would have been happy to help if she would have just come across the street and said, man I got a problem will you give me a hand? 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. She was able to take that to the prosecutor and get a protective order against me. Even years later, Robinson says she doesnt know why Black brought the hitman allegations up. The home of Monserrate Shirley was the center of the explosion that resulted in the deaths of next-door neighbors John "Dion" Longworth and his wife Jennifer (ne Buxton), the injuries of seven others, and $4 million in property damage. ", Holts then asked who would get the money if they went through with it and Mark said, "Of course, me. Robert Leonard, who was convicted of murder and multiple felonies, was sentenced to life without parole. [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". She owned the house. . Gary Thompson, who had helped with the first two unsuccessful attempts to blow up Monserrate Shirleys house, pleaded guilty on Dec. 2, 2016, to conspiracy to commit arson and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Powerball winner sold in central Indiana! How to fix pii_email_029231e8462fca76041e Error Code? Including journalists, it was closer to four dozen. 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." 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 she wept while speaking publicly for the first time about the horrific incident. "Our investigators believe natural gas is involved," the Indianapolis Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. -- John Shirley told jurors Tuesday that, while his relationship with his ex-wife Monserrate was severely damaged by the time he moved out, the gas appliances in their home were not. For Lt. Mario Garza, the Indianapolis Fire Department veteran tasked with leading the arson investigation, the Richmond Hill explosion will likely be the most significant challenge of his career. The meeting was difficult for me because I couldnt ethically tell them everything, Robinson said. ", She said Mark told her, "It cannot be that bad.Don't worry about it. The girlwas already out of the house while they cleared it of the sentimental items. monserrate is the name of the dish, as well as its chef and owner. Four years after thedeadly Richmond Hill explosion, another chapter has closed. He also told Bob to go get Gary Thompson. "I mean, I'm totally devastated like my neighbors are.". 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. Aaron Carter. Mark Leonard is on trial in South Bend in connection to the explosion in the Richmond Hill neighborhood that killed Jennifer and Dion Longworth in November 2012. Its been around since the late 80s, but Im sure well find more of it on our own site. "No one deserves what happened," she said.
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