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Indiana

The Latest: Verdict reached in fatal Indiana explosion trial

Associated Press
Published | Updated

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The latest on the trial of an Indianapolis man facing numerous charges, including murder and arson, for a 2012 house explosion that killed two neighbors (all times local):

1:10 p.m.

Court officials say jurors have reached a verdict in the case of an Indianapolis man charged with murder, arson and insurance fraud in a 2012 house explosion that killed two neighbors and damaged or destroyed more than 80 homes.

Allen Superior Court Executive John McGauley released a statement saying the verdict would be announced Wednesday afternoon in the case of 57-year-old Bob Leonard. Jurors began deliberating Tuesday afternoon.

Prosecutors said surveillance video, witness testimony and DNA evidence show that Leonard was involved in the plot with his half brother and others to use natural gas and a microwave to blow up the house for $300,000 in insurance. Defense attorneys say prosecutors failed to prove Leonard was involved.

Leonard's half brother, Mark Leonard, was convicted of being the mastermind behind the Nov. 10, 2012, explosion. He was sentenced in August to two life sentences and 75 years in prison.

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8:30 a.m.

A jury has resumed deliberating whether a man is guilty of helping plot a 2012 house explosion in Indianapolis that killed a couple and damaged or destroyed more than 80 homes.

The jury in Fort Wayne was behind closed doors Wednesday morning after deliberating for about an hour Tuesday following closing arguments on the murder, arson and insurance fraud against 57-year-old Bob Leonard.

Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Mark Hollingsworth told jurors the explosion was no accident, while defense attorney Ted Minch argued prosecutors failed to prove Leonard was involved despite testimony from 150 witnesses.

Minch tried to discredit the testimony of Monserrate Shirley, the girlfriend of Leonard's half brother and owner of the house that exploded. Minch says Shirley had the motivation to commit the crime because of financial problems.