INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ A judge is considering whether to approve a plea agreement that drops most charges against one of three defendants charged in a deadly Indianapolis house explosion in return for testifying against her alleged co-conspirators.
Marion Superior Court Judge Sheila Carlisle did not immediately rule Tuesday after Monserrate Shirley changed her plea to guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit arson. Under terms of the deal, Shirley might not serve any prison time.
Prosecutors agreed to drop dozens of other charges including two counts each of murder and felony murder. A couple living next door to Shirley died in the November 2012 blast damaging more than 80 nearby homes.
Shirley's then-boyfriend, Mark Leonard, and his brother, Bob Leonard, face murder and arson charges in the case. They've pleaded not guilty
