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Judge: Mark Leonard could face up to 1,488-year sentence

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WISH) – It was back to the orange jumpsuit Wednesday for Mark Leonard, who was convicted on 53 charges Tuesday in connection to the Richmond Hill explosion that killed people.

Leonard wore dress clothes throughout the six-week trial, but his attire changed for Wednesday’s hearing focused on whether he would face a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The state worked to prove three aggravators to the judge: that there was an explosive used, that there were multiple victims killed at different times in different ways, and because Dion Longworth was burned alive.

Leonard’s attorneys first asked for the life without parole option to be dismissed.

They said there was no explosive device used, and said there was no intent to kill anyone, let alone two people. They also said there was no intent to torture. Defense attorney Diane Black told the judge, “There has to be an intentionality to the torture… you don’t have that in this case, as tragic, horrible as those deaths were, this was not what was envisioned under that statute.”

After court, Black told reporters, “All of the aggravators, there was a lack of evidence, or not enough evidence to prove that.”

Deputy Prosecutor Denise Robinson said after court, “Life without parole in this case was a determination made early on, if nothing else to send a message that this was a significant and horrendous crime, and it was deserving of a life sentence.”

“There’ve been cases where life without parole has dealt with multiple victims. There’ve been cases where life without parole has been imposed in explosion cases. Each case is unique, so to say, has one ever been decided in a case exactly like this? Probably not, but the law exists, so an LWOP [life without parole] is justified,” said Robinson.

Prosecutors entered into evidence the audio recording of the last moments of victim Dion Longworth’s life. The judge had not allowed that into the trial as evidence.

Robinson explained after court, that when the explosion happened, a number of homeowners had their burglary alarms go off. That’s what happened at the Longworth’s home as well.

“Xfinity actually called Mr. Longworth, in response to his alarms going off… got him on the phone, and thanks to them, they realized what it was that was happening, they realized what they were hearing, and they kept him on the phone then ultimately contacted us.”

“What I will say about the tape, is you hear Mr. Longworth die on the tape,” said Robinson.

Bryan and Heather Hollingsworth were neighbors of the Longworths, and they were among those who tried to rescue him that night from the debris of his burning home, where he was trapped.

They were in court Wednesday in South Bend.

“We felt it was important to hear the process, and find out exactly what would be the next step as we move along in the trial,” said Hollingsworth.

“I think the appropriate punishment is life in prison, without the possibility of parole. To me, the evidence, with all of the extenuating factors… the evidence proved there was more than one, two, a third attempt.. there seemed to be no end to his [Leonard’s] desire for money. The fact that the steps were taken to preclude personal possessions and animals out of the property, tells me that was a person that was more interested in financial gain, than concern for fellow humans. Because Jennifer and Dion were wonderful people, neighbors you always want to have, and its a tragic loss,” said Bryan Hollingsworth.

“It was a terrible, unnecessary, inappropriate, and unneeded tragedy,” said Bryan.

Prosecutor Denise Robinson said she couldn’t discuss the specifics of what she’ll argue for if life without parole is not imposed, but said, “If life without parole is not imposed in this case, the state will be arguing for a sentence that is, in effect, a life sentence. No question.”

St Joseph County Judge John Marnocha said by his calculations, Leonard faces a minimum sentence of 45 years and a maximum sentence of 1,488 years, if all counts are run consecutively. Marnocha said he wouldn’t impose the 1,488 year sentence, and an appropriate sentence is somewhere between those two numbers.

Judge Marnocha said he will issue a determination on the life without parole matter before Leonard’s sentencing hearing, which is set for August 14 in South Bend.