Three charged in Indianapolis explosion

[Jokerman]

Source: WTHR Indianapolis

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said Mark Leonard and Monserrate Shirley, the couple who lived in one of the homes that exploded, along with Bob Leonard, Jr., were charged and arrested.

They are each charged with the following:

• Felony Murder (two counts)
• Conspiracy to Commit Arson, Class A Felony (one count)
• Arson, Class A Felony (12 counts)
• Arson, Class B Felony (33 counts)

Curry said the microwave oven was the point of origin in the explosion. The fireplace valve was missing, and it's believed the house filled with gas for six to nine hours before the blast

Read more: http://www.wthr.com/story/20402423/three-to-be-charged-in-indianapolis-explosion

[LittleGirl]

1. wow.

Unbelieveable.

[valerief]

2. Psychopaths. I'll be they're Republicans. nt

[heaven05]

3. all

for the love of money. sick, very sick.

[Historic NY]

4. Great work on the part of the arson investigators, tech's, utility company & the police

It isn't easy but most criminals think they can get away with it.

[Poll_Blind]

5. I just read this a few minutes ago. Very unexpected. I'm not entirely...

...sure if the govt. has a solid case against these individuals yet, but some of the details (probably in this article too) were as suspicious as they were vague. Especially the previous attempt the week before.

I don't know what to make of it.

PB

[Jokerman]

6. I have confidence in Terry Curry.

After years of corruption and incompetence under the republican prosecutor, Democrat Terry Curry has, so far, been like a breath of fresh air.

[progressivebydesign]

7. I expected this.

I remember at the time that there was a van removing possessions quietly before the blast. Plus their cat was in boarding, and they had this "someone fixed the thermostat recently" thing that was too perfect. Glad they got them. Great investigative work.

[Kaleva]

8. Wow! Thank you for posting the update.

[nc4bo]

9. I agree. This is the first I've heard of the investigation results.

Gotta love DUers for keeping us informed!

I'm relieved those responsible were caught and will be punished for causing the deaths of 2 innocent people, terrifying an entire neighborhood and causing millions of dollars in property damage.

[Jokerman]

12. You're welcome

I have close friends in the area whose house shook the night of the blast and a business acquaintance who lost his house so we've all been waiting for this.

[AngryOldDem]

10. The lengths these people went to is amazing.

Check this out, also at the link:

<<< Citizens Energy gas questions

On Nov. 9, the Leonards are alleged to have spoken with a Citizens Energy employee and asked various questions regarding gas, including questions about the differences between propane and natural gas, the role of the regulator in a house, and controlling the flow of natural gas, including how much gas it would take to fill a house.>>>

They also changed the thermostat to the kind that is sensitive to static electricity, apparently.

Is there any reason why the average person would want or need to know that?

Boarding the cat and getting the hell out of Dodge were pretty much dead giveaways that this wasn't a tragic accident.

[Kaleva]

11. It probably helped the investigation that these three were so dumb.

From the article linked to in the OP:

"The personal property insurance on the residence had been increased to a little over $300,000, Curry said."

Okay, that would raise suspicions right there.

And then there is this:

"On Nov. 9, the Leonards are alleged to have spoken with a Citizens Energy employee and asked various questions regarding gas, including questions about the differences between propane and natural gas, the role of the regulator in a house, and controlling the flow of natural gas, including how much gas it would take to fill a house."

[Kaleva]

13. Women had $63,000 in credit card debt and boyfriend lost 10 grand at a casino.

"Shirley, 47, was facing mounting financial woes, including $63,000 in credit card debt and worsening bankruptcy proceedings, court documents say."

http://news.yahoo.com/authorities-3-set-deadly-ind-blast-insurance-222918721.html

[davidpdx]

14. These people were pretty damn dumb thinking they could get away with it

I thought I read up to 6 maybe charged, that another two family members were conspirators but not directly involved.

The couple they killed were in their 30's.

[Kaleva]

15. Update:

"Their trial date is scheduled for June 16, 2014."

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/lawyer-concurrent-trial-for-richmond-hill-suspects-is-gimmick

This story is no longer latest breaking news but I think a few here may be interested in what has been going on with the three (Mark Ray Leonard, Robert Leonard and Monserrate Shirley) charged with murder, arson and some other crimes.