The trial of Richard Allen, who is charged with killing two teenage girls in Indiana, has captivated the small community of Delphi. The prosecutor provided evidence that Allen forced the girls off a hiking trail before cutting their throats, including an unused bullet discovered at the crime scene and video recorded on one of the girl’s phones. The girls heard Allen’s chilling words and complied out of fear. Allen faces multiple charges including murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping. The trial has drawn significant media attention and jurors were selected nearly 100 miles away to ensure a fair trial.
The crime took place near the Monon High Bridge Trail, just outside Delphi, in a rugged, wooded area. Evidence at the scene included an unused bullet from a gun that belonged to Allen, and his image and voice were captured on video by one of the girls. The prosecutor also stated that incriminating statements made by Allen to various individuals, including his wife, would be presented as evidence during the trial. However, the defense attorney argued that there is reasonable doubt in the case, claiming that Allen’s statements were made under stress and that some police officers believed one person could not have committed the homicides alone.
The bodies of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, known as Abby and Libby, were found on February 14, 2017. The girls had gone missing a day earlier while hiking the trail, a popular spot for locals. German’s cellphone contained files that were released by the police, leading to the investigation of the case. Investigators released sketches of a suspect, as well as a bridge video, in hopes of identifying the perpetrator. After years passed without a suspect identified, Allen was eventually implicated based on prior tips that came up during a review of the case.
Allen had previously been interviewed in 2017 and mentioned seeing three girls while he was walking on the trail. He later told investigators that he had seen three juvenile girls during his walk on the same day the girls went missing. This raised suspicion, leading to a search of his home, where the .40-caliber pistol was discovered. At earlier hearings, Allen’s attorneys had attempted to argue that the killings were part of a ritual sacrifice by a pagan Norse religion, but evidence presented in court contradicted this claim. Family members of the girls provided emotional testimony during the trial, sharing memories of their loved ones and the last interactions they had with them before their tragic deaths.
The ongoing trial has garnered significant attention from both locals and the media, with strict rules in place to prevent unauthorized reporting or coverage of the proceedings. The judge has imposed restrictions on electronic devices in the courtroom and limited photo or video coverage outside the courthouse. This high-profile case has brought national attention to the small town of Delphi, as residents and observers wait for justice to be served for the two murdered teenagers. As the trial unfolds, the prosecution and defense will continue to present their cases in an attempt to determine the truth behind this devastating crime that shook the community to its core. Ultimately, the jury will have to weigh the evidence presented and reach a verdict in a case that has haunted the small town for years.
