Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, August 11, 2015
(SOUTH BEND) - A St. Joseph County Superior Court judge won’t decide until Friday whether Mark Leonard will be sentenced to life without parole.
Judge John Marnocha issued an order Monday morning delaying his final decision until Leonard's sentencing date, which is set for Friday, August 14 in South Bend.
Leonard was convicted in July of 53 counts in connection to the deadly 2012 Richmond Hill explosion. His conviction included murder, felony murder, arson, conspiracy to commit arson and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.
The judge will decide whether he will spend life without parole in prison, or could sentence him to a term of years, which could be anywhere between 45 years and 1,488.
In a hearing the day after Leonard was found guilty by a jury, Marion County prosecutors explained three "aggravating circumstances," or why Leonard should face life without parole. They said there was an explosive used, that there were multiple victims killed at different times in different ways, and because victim Dion Longworth was burned alive.
WISH TV reports, the judge's order Monday says the state had proven, beyond a reasonable doubt, all the aggravating circumstances. He said the defense made a legal argument as to why Leonard shouldn't face life without parole, and the court rejects that argument, finding life without parole is a possible sentence in the case.
However, the order adds that the judge will wait until sentencing to make a final decision.
The 2012 blast killed Dion and Jennifer Longworth, and damaged or destroyed nearly 80 homes.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.