Delphi Murders Case: Richard Allen Found Guilty for the Deaths of Abigail Williams and Liberty German

Sketch by Li Buszka

Defendant Richard Allen (left) with defense attorney Andrew Baldwin in the Carroll County Courthouse during Allen's double murder trial. Allen is accused of killing Abby Williams and Libby German in February 2017.

DELPHI — Richard Allen has been found guilty of murdering Abigail Williams and Liberty German. The two teenagers disappeared on the afternoon of February 13, 2017, near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi, Indiana. Their bodies were discovered the following day not far from that location. Abby was just 13 years old, while Libby was 14; they had taken a walk on an unusually warm day during their school break.

Allen was convicted on all four charges brought against him: the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, as well as felony murder while kidnapping both girls.

He is scheduled to return to the Carroll County Courthouse for sentencing on December 20, 2024.

The jury began deliberating Thursday afternoon after hearing closing arguments at the courthouse. They continued their discussions Friday afternoon and Saturday before taking a break on Sunday and resuming their work Monday morning when court reconvened.

Now aged 52, Allen was arrested on October 26, 2022—five years after the tragic events. During the trial, prosecutors called upon 42 witnesses to present evidence against him. A key piece of evidence was a video recorded on Libby's iPhone showing a man referred to as "Bridge Guy." Extensive analysis focused on both audio and visual elements from that recording to confirm whether Richard Allen matched that figure. Brian Harshman, a Master Trooper with the Indiana State Police, testified that he recognized Allen's voice from recordings made in prison. However, other witnesses expressed uncertainty about identifying who said "Girls, down the hill" to Abby and Libby while they were standing on the bridge.

A significant portion of the prosecution's case centered around alleged confessions made by Allen during his time at Westville Correctional Facility where he spent over a year in solitary confinement before being moved to Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in December 2023. Clinical psychologist Dr. Monica Wala discussed numerous conversations she had with Allen during which he frequently confessed to killing the girls. She recounted an instance where he suggested he may have molested his sister as a child; however, Jaime Jones (Allen's sister) testified unequivocally that this accusation was false and affirmed her unwavering love for her brother but emphasized she wouldn't lie for him.

Forensic metallurgy expert Melissa Oberg examined Richard Allen's .40 caliber Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistol along with an unspent .40 caliber cartridge found at the crime scene between the girls' bodies. Oberg explained how each firearm leaves distinct markings on shell casings or bullets when fired. She concluded that evidence indicated the bullet located at the crime scene had been cycled through Allen’s weapon based on unique characteristics identifiable from his gun.

The defense aimed to challenge this evidence by calling Dr. Deanna Dwenger from Indiana Department of Corrections as a witness who discussed her oversight role involving contract staff like Dr. Wala. Dwenger testified regarding Wala’s personal interest in true crime cases which emerged after her assignment related to Richard Allen’s case and noted concerns about how prolonged solitary confinement could negatively impact mental health—an experience that lasted for over a year for Allen.

Dr. Eric Warren also provided expert testimony for the defense concerning Oberg's findings about ballistics related to evidence presented earlier by prosecutors regarding cartridges discovered at the scene. He argued there wasn’t enough evidence available linking specific bullets or shell casings conclusively tied back to Allen’s firearm.

The defense wrapped up its case Wednesday morning shortly after Judge Fran Gull opened proceedings; they called upon a total of 22 witnesses throughout their presentation but did not have either Richard or his wife Kathy testify.

A jury consisting of twelve members (eight women and four men) was selected from potential jurors in mid-October out of Allen County, Indiana. Following selection, Special Judge Fran Gull sequestered them for duration of trial proceedings held in Carroll County; one alternate juror was excused due to medical reasons during this time frame.