3 charged in connection with Indy blast

Greenwood, Ind., homeowner Monserrate Shirley and two others were arrested Friday and charged in connection with the Nov. 10 explosion in a Greenwood subdivision that resulted in two deaths.

Jennifer Longworth, 36, a teacher at Southwest Elementary School, and her husband, John Dion Longworth, 34, died in the blast, which occurred in the 8400 block of Fieldfare Way in the Richmond Hill subdivision.

Shirley, as well as her boyfriend Mark Leonard and his brother Bob Leonard, were all charged with murder and arson.

They reside at the Marion County Jail without bond, according to a report from the Associated Press.

During a news conference, Marion County prosecutor Terry Curry said Shirley's residence, located at the epicenter of the blast, filled up with gas after a gas fireplace valve and a gas line regulator were removed.

Curry also said a microwave sparked the explosion, which destroyed five houses in the Richmond Hills subdivision. It is believed the microwave was set to start on a timer, Curry said.

Attorney Randall Cable, representing Shirley and Mark Leonard, said the couple had been at a casino in southern Indiana at the time of the blast.

According to the report, a man fitting Bob Leonard's description was seen Nov. 10 at Shirley's residence. Investigators said they believe the gas line and valve were tampered with at that time.

Curry said the brothers allegedly spoke with an employee of local gas utility Citizens Energy, according to the report.

They "asked that person various questions regarding gas, including the differences between propane and natural gas, the role of a regulator in a house and controlling the flow of natural gas and how much gas it would require to fill a house," he said according to the report.

According to the report, Shirley and Mark Leonard had tried unsuccessfully to blow up the house the previous week.

Curry said the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office would review whether to pursue the death penalty or life in prison without parole for those charged.

— Kirsten Clark