Delphi Murders Trial: Richard Allen Convicted of Killing Abby and Libby
Current Status and Details of the Delphi Murders Trial
Richard Allen has been found guilty of the murders of Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, in Delphi, Indiana. The verdict was reached on November 11, 2024, after weeks of deliberation by the jury. Allen has been convicted on multiple counts, including two counts of murder and two additional counts of murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping.
The trial, which began on October 18, 2024, in Delphi, Indiana, was highly anticipated and drew significant media attention. The jury, composed of seven women and five men, was sequestered throughout the trial. The prosecution presented a strong case, including graphic crime scene photos and detailed confessions from Allen himself.
The bodies of Abby and Libby were found on February 14, 2017, a day after they went missing while hiking on the Monon High Bridge. The crime scene was described as gruesome, with Libby being found completely naked with her throat cut, and Abby also having her throat cut. An unspent bullet found at the scene was linked to Allen's .40-caliber Sig Sauer handgun.
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Cellphone Video: Libby German recorded a video on her phone at 2:13 p.m. on February 13, 2017, showing a man following them on the bridge. This video was a crucial piece of evidence.
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Confessions: Allen confessed to the murders multiple times to his wife, mother, and a psychologist while in jail. These confessions included detailed accounts of the crime, such as slashing the girls' throats and covering their bodies with tree branches. -
Forensic Evidence: An Indiana State Police firearms expert testified that the unspent bullet found at the crime scene had been cycled through Allen's handgun. However, the defense challenged this analysis, calling it an "apples to oranges" comparison.
The defense argued that Allen's confessions were unreliable due to his severe mental health issues while in solitary confinement. They also questioned the timeline and cellphone evidence, suggesting that the girls might have been killed elsewhere and their bodies returned to the crime scene.
Richard Allen is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20, 2024. He faces up to 130 years in prison for the murders.
