Prosecutor Seeking Life in Prison For Indy Home Explosion Suspects
By: Michael C. Fehn
Updated: February 11, 2013
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Marion County's prosecutor says he'll seek life sentences without parole if three people charged in a deadly Indianapolis house explosion are convicted in that case.
Prosecutor Terry Curry announced Monday he had decided not to seek the death penalty against Monserrate Shirley, her boyfriend, Mark Leonard and his brother, Bob Leonard. All three face murder, arson and conspiracy charges in the Nov. 10 Richmond Hill neighborhood that destroyed 33 houses and killed two people.
Investigators say the trio intentionally set a gas explosion in a home in hopes of collecting insurance money. Curry says the scheme was "undertaken with no regard whatsoever to the tragic consequences."
He said the alleged aggravating circumstances supporting the life in prison request include the explosion's multiple deaths and unlawful detonation of an explosive device.
Prosecutor Terry Curry announced Monday he had decided not to seek the death penalty against Monserrate Shirley, her boyfriend, Mark Leonard and his brother, Bob Leonard. All three face murder, arson and conspiracy charges in the Nov. 10 Richmond Hill neighborhood that destroyed 33 houses and killed two people.
Investigators say the trio intentionally set a gas explosion in a home in hopes of collecting insurance money. Curry says the scheme was "undertaken with no regard whatsoever to the tragic consequences."
He said the alleged aggravating circumstances supporting the life in prison request include the explosion's multiple deaths and unlawful detonation of an explosive device.
