A jury has begun deliberations in the trial of Richard Allen, who is facing two murder and two felony murder charges in connection with the deaths of two teenage girls, Liberty “Libby” German, 14, and Abigail “Abby” Williams, 13, in Delphi, Indiana, in 2017. Allen has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland presented closing arguments, showcasing graphic evidence including photos of the victims, a video from one of the girl's smartphones capturing the final moments, and a recording of Allen allegedly confessing to his wife. The defense, represented by Attorney Brad Rozzi, emphasized a lack of physical evidence linking Allen to the murders and questioned the validity of his confessions.
The case, which attracted widespread attention due to a photo and audio recording of the suspect taken from the victims' phone, remained unsolved for over five years until Allen's arrest in 2022. Despite Allen's numerous confessions while incarcerated, DNA evidence from the crime scene did not match him, and the defense highlighted his mental health struggles during his time in solitary confinement.
Testimonies from psychologists revealed Allen's deteriorating mental state and diagnosis of a serious mental illness in 2023. The defense attempted to introduce an 'Odinism' defense, suggesting followers of a Norse pagan religion could be responsible for the killings, but the judge dismissed this theory.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution aimed to link Allen to the crime through voice analysis of the suspect in the audio recording and matching a bullet found at the scene to Allen's pistol. The defense raised doubts about the bullet evidence and emphasized Allen's mental instability as a key factor in his confessions.
As the jury deliberates, the community awaits a verdict in a case that has gripped the nation for years, seeking justice for the tragic deaths of two young girls in a small town that was shattered by the heinous crime.
