Debt a Motive for 2012 Indianapolis House Explosion

Prosecutors plan to present evidence that the motive behind a 2012 deadly explosion that devastated an Indianapolis, Ind., neighborhood was collecting insurance money for mounting gambling and credit card debts.

Monserrate Shirley, her then-boyfriend Mark Leonard and his brother, Bob Leonard, face murder and arson charges arson in the blast that killed a couple.

The Indianapolis Star reports that Marion County prosecutors say in court documents that Shirley had run up $63,000 in credit card debt, Mark Leonard had lost about $10,000 at a casino and that Shirley increased the insurance coverage on her personal property to $304,000.

A hearing is scheduled for the end of the month on Mark Leonard’s request his trial be moved to another county.