Richard Allen convicted in Delphi Murders trial

DELPHI, Ind. — Richard Allen, the prime suspect in the Delphi Murders case, was found guilty on Monday after a trial that lasted 21 days and captivated Indiana. Sentencing is scheduled for December 20, and a gag order will remain in effect for those involved in the case until then.

The investigation into these tragic murders spanned over five years before Allen's arrest, with significant contributions from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The court proceedings took two years and included rulings from the Indiana Supreme Court.

Allen, a 52-year-old former pharmacy technician from Delphi, faced charges of two counts of murder and two counts of murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping. The victims were Abigail “Abby” Williams, 13, and Liberty “Libby” German, 14. Their bodies were discovered near the Monon High Bridge on February 14, 2017—just one day after they went missing during a hike.

The autopsy revealed that both girls had suffered fatal throat wounds, with indications that the cuts could have been inflicted using a box cutter. Although Allen was initially investigated shortly after their bodies were found in 2017, he wasn’t charged until October 28, 2022.

During the trial, jurors learned about a pivotal tip that had been misfiled back in 2017; it was rediscovered when authorities began digitizing evidence. This tip prompted police to interview Allen again just weeks before his arrest.

Delphi is a small city with nearly 3,000 residents located within Carroll County. The county's population stands at around 20,500. Local officials faced significant financial strain due to this high-profile felony case—a rarity for such a small community.

After being charged, Allen’s case navigated through various legal challenges for two years prior to trial. Due to conflicts of interest within Carroll County's judicial system, Judge Frances Gull from Allen County presided over the case. She determined that pretrial publicity warranted moving the jury selection process out of Carroll County.

Judge Gull once removed Allen’s defense attorneys due to concerns about their conduct; however, this decision was overturned by the Indiana Supreme Court in January. They stated that removing his attorneys was not deemed a "necessary last resort," establishing new guidelines for future cases involving attorney removals.

The media landscape surrounding the trial also posed challenges. Prior to its commencement, Judge Gull provided specific guidelines for coverage yet grew increasingly wary of media involvement as proceedings unfolded—ultimately barring cameras and electronic devices from the courtroom during the trial.

During closing arguments on Thursday, Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland urged jurors to convict Allen based on compelling evidence: an unfired cartridge found at the crime scene bore toolmarks consistent with bullets cycled through Allen’s Sig Sauer gun discovered at his home in 2022. He also pointed out clothing found at Allen’s residence appeared similar to what was worn by an unidentified man seen in Libby’s cellphone video taken on February 13—infamously dubbed “bridge guy.” This video was publicly shown for the first time during trial proceedings with enhanced audio featuring someone instructing “down the hill.”

The prosecution further emphasized confessions made by Allen while incarcerated at Westville Correctional Facility due to safety concerns raised by local authorities regarding his detention at county jail—a highly unusual situation in Indiana criminal cases.

In response during closing statements, defense attorneys argued that Allen’s confessions were coerced under duress amidst declining mental health conditions while awaiting trial in state prison. Mental health experts testified regarding his deteriorating state during incarceration; graphic videos showcased his living conditions as well. The defense cautioned that convicting him would effectively endorse such treatment.

Defense counsel also highlighted inconsistencies within law enforcement's timeline and indicated failures concerning ballistics testing as well as insufficient DNA or digital evidence linking Allen directly to the crimes committed against Abby and Libby.

The jury did not hear testimony regarding alternative theories suggesting connections between these murders and Odinism—a controversial ancient religion often associated with extremist ideologies—as Judge Gull barred such discussions from entering into evidence during trials.

This extensive trial has cost Carroll County taxpayers upwards of $4.3 million thus far.