An Indiana man, Richard Allen, faces a potential sentence of up to 130 years in prison for the 2017 murders of two teenage girls in Delphi. The case has been a significant point of concern in the small town since the girls vanished during a winter hike.
After a lengthy trial, Allen was convicted on November 11 for the murders of Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14. The jury found him guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of murder committed during an attempted kidnapping.
Allen, who is 52 years old and a resident of Delphi, is set to be sentenced on two of the four murder counts. He faces a prison term ranging from 45 to 130 years for the tragic deaths of the teens, affectionately referred to as Abby and Libby.
Following his arrest in October 2022, more than five years after the girls went missing, Allen was employed as a pharmacy technician near the courthouse where he was tried.
The trial faced numerous delays, including the withdrawal and reinstatement of public defenders and the leak of evidence.
Expert opinions and evidence presented throughout the case attracted attention from true-crime enthusiasts, adding to the public’s fascination.
During the sentencing hearing, scheduled to last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., family members of the victims may have the opportunity to address the court. The special judge overseeing the case, Fran Gull, is expected to deliver the sentence.
In his defense, Allen’s attorneys argued that even with a minimum possible sentence of 45 years, he would serve only about 34 years with good behavior, suggesting he is likely to spend the remainder of his life in prison.
The jury, which consisted of seven women and five men, was sequestered during the trial held in Delphi, a small community approximately 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis.
Abigail and Liberty were last seen on February 13, 2017, after being dropped off at a hiking trail. They were reported missing later that evening, with their bodies discovered the following day in a wooded area, both with their throats cut.
The prosecution argued that Allen forced the girls off the trail at gunpoint, intending to harm them before being interrupted by a passing vehicle. Evidence including an unspent bullet linked to Allen’s firearm was presented during the trial.
The prosecution also stated that video footage recorded by German captured Allen following the girls, and his voice could be heard instructing them to go “down the hill.”
Additionally, multiple confessions made by Allen were cited, including one recorded conversation with his wife where he admitted to killing the girls.
Conversely, defense attorneys claimed that Allen was in a fragile mental state during his confessions, arguing that no direct evidence linked him to the crime scene.
Attempts by the defense to suggest alternative theories regarding the girls’ deaths were dismissed by the judge due to a lack of admissible evidence.
With the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, a gag order imposed on the case is anticipated to be lifted, allowing law enforcement and families to address the media in a scheduled news conference following the proceedings.
