South side explosion suspects appear in court Wednesday

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Three suspects charged in connection with a house explosion on Indianapolis’ south side last year will appear in court Wednesday to face new charges in the case.

Monserrate Shirley , owner of the home where the explosion occurred, her boyfriend, Mark Leonard , and his brother, Bob Leonard, all had not guilty pleas entered on their behalf. Each was initially charged with two counts of murder and dozens of arson charges for the November blast caused by ignition of natural gas that killed two neighbors, Dion and Jennifer Longworth , and irreparably damaged dozens of homes.

Last week, Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry announced he would not seek the death penalty against the three defendants, and would instead seek life without parole sentences .

Prosecutors also filed motions to add new charges against the defendants last week. Each now faces an additional count of arson, a Class B felony, for damage to houses in the Richmond Hill subdivision that did not require demolition. Shirley has been charged with one count of insurance fraud, a Class C felony and an additional charge of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, a class C felony, was added against Shirley and Mark.

Those new charges will be read in court on Wednesday.

During the initial hearing for the suspects, Judge Sheila Carlisle set a preliminary trial date of March 4. The prosecutor’s office says it expects a new trial date to be set in the case during Wednesday’s hearing.