INDIANAPOLIS – The trial of Richard Allen, 52, is set to start concerning the tragic 2017 murders of two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana. Allen faces two counts of murder alongside two counts of murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping in the deaths of 13-year-old Abigail Williams and 14-year-old Liberty German. If found guilty, he could face a sentence of up to 130 years in prison, though prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.
Jury selection is anticipated to begin in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Monday, with the selected 12 jurors and four alternates being sequestered in Delphi for the trial’s duration. This small town, with a population of about 3,000, is located approximately 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis.
Once jury selection wraps up, which is projected to occur by Wednesday, jurors may hear opening statements as early as Friday morning. The trial is expected to extend over the course of a month.
Richard Allen, a pharmacy technician with ties to Delphi, was arrested in October 2022, nearly six years after the disappearance of the girls. On February 13, 2017, a relative had dropped the eighth graders off at a hiking trail near Delphi, but they never returned to the designated pickup location. Their bodies were discovered the next day in a wooded area close to the trail.
In the days following their disappearance, police released distressing evidence found on Libby’s cellphone, including two grainy photos and audio of a voice instructing "down the hill," believed to be that of the killer. Unfortunately, no immediate arrests were made.
In subsequent months, police shared sketches of the suspect and footage showing someone on a nearby abandoned railroad bridge. After reviewing earlier leads, investigators revisited a 2017 interview with Allen, where he claimed to have seen three females on the trail.
Following new developments, police re-interviewed Allen in October 2022, during which he reiterated his previous account. Authorities searched his residence, discovering a .40-caliber pistol that was linked to evidence found at the crime scene.
The ongoing case has faced multiple delays due to evidence leaks, changes in legal representation, and intense media scrutiny. A gag order was implemented in December 2022, restricting various parties from commenting about the case in any form.
The presiding judge has prohibited cameras in the courtroom and barred reporters from using electronic devices during the trial. Recent rulings have allowed prosecutors to present several incriminating statements allegedly made by Allen, including a recorded call with his wife, which may denote a confession to the crimes.
Allen’s defense has sought to introduce alternative theories regarding the case. However, the judge has denied these motions, emphasizing the lack of admissible evidence supporting those claims.
In terms of the specifics surrounding the deaths of Abby and Libby, prosecutors have not publicly disclosed the exact methods employed, apart from a court filing indicating there were allegations concerning their throats being cut. The community and families await justice as this high-profile trial unfolds.
