Richmond Hill explosion suspect asks judge to set bail

One of the Richmond Hill suspects is asking a judge to set bail in his case, saying prosecutors do not have strong proof that he committed murder — a charge that does not allow a defendant to be released before trial.

Bob Leonard's motion to let bail, filed last year, is one of several motions that are waiting for a ruling from Allen Superior Court Judge Frances Gull, who took on Leonard's case after it was moved out of Marion County last month.

Leonard is one of four suspects accused of conspiring to blow up a home in the Richmond Hill subdivision to collect insurance money. The Nov. 10, 2012, blast killed two people, John "Dion" and Jennifer Longworth, and damaged or destroyed more than 80 homes.

Leonard, his half brother Mark Leonard, Monserrate Shirley and Gary Thompson are facing more than 40 felony charges, including murder and multiple counts of arson and conspiracy to commit arson.

All four are being held without bond.

Bob Leonard argued in court records that he's entitled to a reasonable bail because there isn't strong proof for the murder charges against him.

Hearings on several motions in Bob Leonard's case, including the bail request, are scheduled for Sept. 22 to 24. His trial is set to start Jan. 19.

Mark Leonard's trial is scheduled for June 4.

Each trial, expected to last six weeks, involves 250 witnesses and 2,000 exhibits and pieces of evidence.

In January, Shirley pleaded guilty to two felony arson conspiracy counts. She also agreed to testify against her three co-defendants.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Call Star reporter Kristine Guerra at (317) 444-6209. Follow her on Twitter:@kristine_guerra.