Change of venue, gag order, discovery request among issues to be addressed
DELPHI, Ind. A hearing will be held Friday, January 13. Judge Fran Gull was initially set to hear arguments on a change of venue and a gag order in the case against Richard Allen.
Allen’s defense attorneys requested a change of venue away from Carroll County because of the high-profile nature of the murders. According to Monday’s court order, the court will hear further arguments from Allen’s defense attorneys. Defense lawyers filed a discovery request on Dec. 30 asking for additional information. This includes the names and addresses potential witnesses that the state might call. Gull will also hold a hearing on Allen’s attorneys’ request to fund additional investigators.
Indiana State Police announced Allen’s arrest on Oct. 31, 2022. Allen was charged with the murder of Abby Williams, Libby German and their bodies on February 14, 2017. The case went unsolved for more than five years despite the public release of evidence such as a grainy photo of the suspect, a recording of his voice and a pair of sketches.
Records related to the case were initially sealed before the judge approved the release of a redacted version of the probable cause affidavit at the end of November.
Abby Williams and Libby German. (Credit: Family)
Investigators linked Allen to the murders through an unspent round discovered next to the girls’ bodies that police said was traced to a gun belonging to Allen. Investigators had previously heard that Allen was near the Monon High Bridge the day of the murders.
Allen’s attorneys requested any investigatory information gathered in the case, including written reports, maps, drawings or diagrams from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, local police department, Indiana State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the medical examiner’s office and “any other law enforcement agency or any private individual in connection with or pertaining to the investigation of the crime charged” against Allen.
Attorneys want to know if the state has any exculpatory information that could clear Allen, along with dates and times that he appeared in any police lineups and who viewed the lineups or photo arrays featuring him. The request also includes information relating to searches and warrants.
In the suit, Thomas claimed that the state had obtained any exculpatory information that could clear Allen. Also, the dates and times when he appeared in any police lineups or photo arrays featuring him.
His suggestion was rebuffed, he claimed, leading to his demotion after he lost the May primary race for sheriff.
Friday’s hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. An 11 a.m. hearing will be held on the defense’s request for funding for investigators. Separate bail hearings are scheduled for February 17.
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