INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – A northern Indiana jury could be only hours away from hearing opening statements in the trial of an Indianapolis man charged in a deadly house explosion.

Sixteen people were picked as jurors Friday for Mark Leonard's trial, which was moved to South Bend because of extensive publicity in Indianapolis. He's charged with murder, arson and other counts in the November 2012 natural gas blast that killed two people and damaged or destroyed about 80 homes.

The final two members of the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates are expected to be chosen Monday, after which opening statements could be made.

Leonard is one of five people charged in the case. Prosecutors say he was the mastermind of a plot to blow up his then-girlfriend's house to collect insurance money.