Curry: Explosion probe will take time

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The search for answers in the south side explosion continues, but Marion County’s prosecutor says closing the case will take time. Terry Curry tells 24-Hour News 8 that the investigation could take weeks or even months to complete.

Still, signs of progress are showing in several places at Richmond Hill.

Demolition on three more homes began Monday. Evidence processing near the blast site is now nearly complete. But, Curry says that doesn’t mean the case against those responsible for the explosion is done.

“This is a painstaking and deliberative process,” Curry told 24-Hour News 8. “The investigators continue to chase down leads, doing additional interviews. The processing of the scene has slowed down. I think it's fair to say that most of the significant work there has been completed. But, work does continue.”

In a law career spanning more than three decades, Curry said this is one of the largest cases he’s ever worked.

The size of the scene and scope of the investigation brought in additional investigators and more agencies. That’s all meant additional time.

Asked if he expected the investigation to take as long as it already has, Curry immediately nodded.

“I'm not the least bit surprised that it's taken this long. And, it will undoubtedly take some time past today as well. There's much work that needs to be done,” he said.

Still, Curry says progress is being made, and was quick to praise the work being done by teams from local, state and federal agencies all working together.

“It has been very smooth,” he said. “That’s no surprise to us. Every agency bringing their unique expertise can only help in terms of having a successful investigation and prosecution, if that becomes necessary.”

Investigators continue to work around the clock, executing at least 15 search warrants by the end of last week. Curry wouldn’t confirm how many search warrants have been issued or executed since then, but sources tell 24-Hour News 8 additional warrants are likely this week. Curry also would not confirm where the warrants were issued, or what investigators are looking for.

“Both the underlying affidavits seeking search warrants and the results of the search warrants are sealed at this time, as we're entitled to do in the course of investigations. So, that information is confidential. If, in fact, there are ultimately are suspects in this case, we don't want particular information to be made available to them. And, if individuals come forward and provide information, we want some comfort level that that's based on firsthand knowledge and not based upon something they've read or heard in the press,” he said.

Curry said investigators have now interviewed "dozens" of people in connection with the case. Most of them are witnesses, but that figure also includes the homeowners at the center of the blast: Monserrate Shirley and her boyfriend Mark Leonard.

Asked if investigators anticipated questioning Shirley and Leonard in the future, Curry said simply that he couldn’t comment.

Testimony from those witnesses and others will then go hand in hand with evidence that's been taken from the scene. It is now undergoing forensic testing at the Marion County Crime Lab and other labs, Curry said.

That evidence includes the gas meter from the Shirley home, which 24-Hour News 8 confirmed is being stored by Citizens Energy in a secure facility.

“I don't know in this sort of situation anything would be typical,” Curry said, when asked why the meter was not being stored in an evidence locker. “Obviously, this is a very unique situation. In this case, an explosion or arson investigation, the science side of it is a significant part of the investigation and case. Everything that has been gathered is accounted for and is being preserved appropriately.”

Curry confirmed he is receiving “daily” updates on the progress in the case, though he has not been back to the explosion site.

He would not, however, talk about the potential development of suspects or even persons of interest in the case. He also said there is no set timeline for closure in the case.

“In terms of reaching an ultimate conclusion in this case, I have — at this point — no sense of whether that be one week, one month, six months,” he said. “The work being done is progressing and we will keep pushing ahead until we can reach a conclusion one way or the other in this case.”