SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) _ Residents of an Indianapolis subdivision where a house explosion damaged or destroyed more than 80 homes described confusion as they struggled to comprehend what had happened.
Ben Melvin told jurors hearing the trial of 46-year-old Mark Leonard that he was in bed when he heard a loud boom that knocked him to the floor. He said his window had been blown out and insulation, debris and smoke were pouring in.
Melvin said he ran down the street and kicked in the door of a house next to the one that exploded and found the homeowner disoriented inside.
Melvin was among 10 people testifying Thursday. About 175 witnesses are expected to testify in Leonard's trial on murder, arson, and other charges in the 2012 explosion that killed a married couple.
