Jury Deliberations and Verdict
After more than three days of deliberations, Richard Allen was found guilty of murdering two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana, nearly seven years after their deaths. The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, took 19 hours over three days to reach the unanimous verdict. Allen, 52, was convicted of all charges related to the 2017 killings of Liberty “Libby” German, 14, and Abigail “Abby” Williams, 13.
The Crime and Investigation
On February 13, 2017, Abby and Libby were dropped off at a hiking trail near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi. They were last seen on the bridge and later found dead approximately a mile away. The girls’ bodies showed signs of violence, with cuts to their throats.
For more than five years, police followed thousands of leads and released multiple composite sketches of the suspect. Audio and video evidence from Libby’s phone played a key role. She had secretly recorded footage of a man on the bridge, and her phone captured the man telling the girls to “go down the hill.” However, despite these leads, the case remained unsolved until Allen's arrest.
Richard Allen's Arrest and Confessions
Allen, who had lived in Delphi and worked at a local pharmacy, was arrested in October 2022. A CVS clerk recognized him from the area and flagged his presence near the crime scene shortly after the murders. Investigators later found a match between an unspent bullet cartridge found at the scene and a gun recovered from Allen's home.
During his time in custody, Allen repeatedly confessed to the murders. Prosecutors presented over 60 confessions made by Allen, including those to his wife, mother, prison staff, and inmates. In one notable instance, Allen reportedly told his wife, "I did it. I killed Abby and Libby."
Defense Arguments
Allen’s defense team argued that the confessions were not credible. They suggested that Allen’s mental state, especially after spending months in solitary confinement, made him delirious and prone to false admissions. They also questioned the physical evidence, claiming that no witness had directly identified Allen as the man seen on the bridge with the girls.
The Trial and Verdict
The prosecution’s case was bolstered by the extensive confessions, as well as forensic evidence linking Allen to the crime scene. Allen’s defense made no attempt to dispute his presence near the bridge but focused on the argument that his confessions were not voluntary. The jury, after hearing weeks of testimony, found Allen guilty of all charges.
Sentencing
Allen’s sentencing is scheduled for December 20, 2024. He faces up to 130 years in prison for the murders of Libby and Abby.
The Case’s Impact
The conviction marks the end of a long and painful journey for the families of the victims and the town of Delphi, where the murders shocked the small community. The case remained unsolved for over five years, but the persistence of investigators and the release of key evidence eventually led to Allen’s arrest and conviction.
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