The Indianapolis Star

Yesterday after school I heard my name over the PA at school saying I had a call on line 1.  It was a reporter for the Indianapolis Star, John Tuohy.  He wanted to know my reaction on the Prosecutor's decision to pursue a life without parole sentence for the three accused of the explosion.  I was taken aback at first to get a call at school and then to have it be a reporter for the Star.  I answered his questions for a while and then he asked if I knew the percentage of people who were rebuilding in the neighborhood.  He said he was told a figure of 50%. I told him that I have not talked to people in the neighborhood about this and did not have a number or a feeling about who is rebuilding.  Evidently he took this to mean that I have not talked to anyone in the neighborhood and have not been back at all.  He wrote:

" He said he has not visited the subdivision or kept in touch with his old neighbors."

Sorry, Mr. Tuohy, that is not what I said because it just isn't true.  I have been back to the area and have kept in touch with my 'old neighbors'.   That is frustrating.  I am thinking of contacting him and letting him know he did not understand what I said but am not sure of what good that will do.

The meeting last night was informative, we learned more about the decision process to seek life without parole and filled out some contact forms and insurance release forms to help the Prosecutor.  We met the prosecution team and found out that we will probably have to testify.  I had a chance to talk to Mr. Curry, the Prosecutor.  He was nice to talk to and seemed like a pretty good guy.  I left with a feeling that our team is better than the defense teams and that the Longworths and our neighbors will get the justice we want and deserve.  The trial may not start for more than a year.  I know by that time we will be moved in to a new house and life will be somewhat back to normal.  I hope to be able to attend the trial and see justice done.

Thanks for the emails and comments from readers.  Happy Mardi Gras!

Meeting tonight

Tonight we have a meeting with the Prosecutor and the Department of Homeland Security.  All of the people living or who lived in houses that were damaged are supposed to go.  We are asked to bring our insurance forms and other info to the meeting.  The main topic will be what was just announced, however.  The Prosecutor's office is asking for life without parole for the three accused.  Interesting. I am not a big proponent of the death penalty, and am relieved that the Prosecutor has chosen this route.  Looks like, judging from the online comments, many are not happy.  Other than my moral belief, I would like them to spend a really long time thinking about what they did if they are convicted.  Not much more to say than that because there is no sentence or ruling that will bring the Longworths back or any of the material, physical, or emotional losses that have come from this ordeal.  Spending the rest of their lives in prison thinking about the choices they made sounds pretty good to me.

No changes in the "house hunt/decision".  Still weighing options and waiting for final settlement from insurance to know what kind of down payment we can make and what our 'price point' is. 

I will post again after tonight's meeting after I have had a chance to process it.  If anyone reading this (if anyone is at all) has a specific question about what's up that I have not addressed, please email me:  pcrosley at roncalli dot org or leave a comment.  I will try to answer any question you may have.  

Two months in the rental...

We have lived in the rental house for two months now.  I was thinking last night that it could be two or even four more months before we move out of here.  Ugh.  This is a nice house and we are blessed to have it, but I think we are getting tired of living in someone else's house. That is what the rental is becoming more and more like each day.  Lori and I, on separate occasions, have driven back to Richmond Hill in the last week and parked by our lot.  She said that she wanted to just go home when she turned into the neighborhood and I felt the same way when I made the turn off Sherman Drive.  I did not want to leave the neighborhood and drive back to the rental.  Unfortunately we have no choice in that matter. 

It seems that two of the three accused of blowing up our neighborhood have filed for a change of venue for their trial.  That is their right and they should try to get that to happen.  I have read the Prosecutor's response to the Court and know that there is a snowball's chance they will get it.  We asked about that probability when we met with her and she shrugged it off and said there will be very little chance of that.  I think they should ask for a change, but not get it.  They should have no choice in that matter.

We have begun to think seriously about buying a house, the internet searches have begun. It is frustrating because there are so few we are interested in that are for sale at this time.  It may be until Spring before people put their house up for sale.  Waiting for Spring will be hard.  We are all ready to have our own house again and fill it with our own things we like instead of things provided for us. 

Roncalli's Update magazine contained excerpts from this blog in the latest edition.  I have talked to many who read it and were very nice in their comments. I hope the latest few entries aren't too whiny, but I wanted to write what I am feeling.  Frustrated, anxious, resigned, angry are a few emotions. I used to be excited to come home after work or from a day out and relax in our home. Coming back to the rental is not as good.  Coming home to Lori and the girls makes up for the feeling of walking into the rental, though.  I know this is temporary, but it is permanent right now and that doesn't look like it will change for a few months.