Courtroom packed for explosion suspects' hearing

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The three people charged in the deadly Richmond Hill explosion in November appeared before a judge – and a packed courtroom – on Monday.

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. They all face two murder charges and dozens of arson charges and were ordered held without bond.

The blast Nov. 10 in Indianapolis, caused by ignition of natural gas, killed two neighbors, Dion and Jennifer Longworth , and irreparably damaged dozens of homes.

Both Mark and Bob Leonard requested and were granted public defenders. Shirley is being represented by attorney Randall Cable.

With her head buried an orange jumpsuit, Monserrate Shirley quietly made her way out of court Monday morning and back to jail. She appeared to choke back tears as she walked past reporters. Mark and Bob Leonard followed close behind, along with Shirley's lawyer Randall Cable.

All stayed silent.

Just minutes before, Carlisle had taken care of court paperwork typical to an initial appearance hearing, entering the "not guilty" pleas, and appointing both brothers public defenders after lengthy questioning.

CONTINUING COVERAGE | South side explosion

During those questions, Mark Leonard told the Judge he had earned around $100,000 from his position as manager at Mastercraft Restoration, which is owned by Monseratte Shirley. He also said he had earned a $1,400 paycheck just two weeks ago.

But, he also told Carlisle that he had no money, because he was told “it all burned up in the fire.”

Bob Leonard told the judge he had owned the mobile home police raided last month, but had recently “given it away” because it wasn’t worth anything and now had no place to live.

Carlisle agreed to appoint a public defender to each man.

The entire hearing lasted just 20 minutes.

But, for those who packed into the courtroom--many of whom lost their homes in the blast-- watching it all still marked a milestone.

"There's been a lot of things that have helped with closure. This was one more,” said Dan Mattox, whose home was destroyed in the explosion.

“We are just so happy that justice is being served. We came for the Longworths,” agreed his wife Cindy.

The blast Nov. 10 in Indianapolis, caused by ignition of natural gas, killed two neighbors, Dion and Jennifer Longworth , and irreparably damaged dozens of homes.

Some of the Longworth family felt they had to be in the courtroom too.

“I think people need to realize that Dion and Jennifer suffered until they died. Until they burned up. They saw what was coming, and they were burned up,” said Pam Mosser, Dion Longworth’s aunt.

But, Mosser said that message is still too painful for Dion's father John.

“On Christmas Eve, he’s out digging through the rubble at [the Longworth’s house], or what’s left. He’s digging through stuff, the soot, for anything he can find of Dion and Jennifer. Anything. That's how his dad is spending his Christmas,” she said.

It's the reason, Mosser said, that she supports prosecutors seeking the death penalty.

“[Dion] saw the fire coming. And he burned and screamed until he died. For that, I cannot forgive what these people have done at all.”

The case will be tried on a massive scale rarely seen in Marion County.

More than 100 potential witnesses are already listed by the prosecution, hundreds of forensic exhibits could be presented, and dozens of hours of testimony could be considered by jurors.

Still, prosecutors said Monday that their case is strong, even though much of it circumstantial.

“Many cases are circumstantial cases,” said Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Denise Robinson. “There's no distinction in the law. There may be in public perception. But, in the law, there's no distinction between a circumstantial case and any other case.”

Prosecutors also say cooperation between agencies in this case has helped tremendously.

“The prosecutor's office has been involved with the investigators since day one, virtually. So, while the probable cause is very detailed, it's something we're very familiar with and comfortable with,” Robinson said.

ONLINE EXTRA | Read the probable cause affidavit

On the day before Christmas, as the world pauses to celebrate, the Longworth family is left hoping that's enough.

“Nothing can bring them back, or be good enough punishment for the 3,” Mosser said/

“I had the opportunity to come and then leave,” said neighbor Pat Closely. “Others can't. It was important to me. I wanted them to see us come together as a neighborhood again.”

“The holiday is going to be a new beginning. We have family coming in. It's just going to be a new start,” Mattox said.

Shirley and the Leonard brothers will appear in front of Judge Carlisle again on Feb. 21. A trial date of March 4 was set Monday, but prosecutors said it’s likely that could be delayed by as much as one year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.