Accused of murdering two teenage girls, Abigail Williams and Liberty German, while hiking in Delphi, Indiana in 2017, Richard Allen faced unsolved charges for over five years. However, in October 2022, new evidence emerged, linking Allen to the crime scene, leading to his subsequent arrest. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial, attracting widespread national attention and generating various theories and speculations. This article explores the background, evidence, and controversy surrounding Richard Allen, the suspect in the Delphi murders.
Richard Allen: Delphi Murders Suspect
The Delphi murders case pertains to the tragic and unresolved deaths of two young girls, Abigail Williams and Liberty German, in Indiana in 2017. The victims, close friends, went on a hike near the Monon High Bridge on February 13, 2017, and were found dead the following day in a wooded area near the trail.
Despite five years of extensive investigation, the case remained unsolved. Various pieces of evidence, including a blurry image and an audio recording, were released to the public, but no arrests were made. Sketches of two different men potentially connected to the crime were also released, with none matching the suspected individual.
Arrest of Richard Allen: Delphi Murders Suspect
A significant development occurred when authorities arrested Richard Allen, a 50-year-old Delphi resident, in October 2022. Facing two charges of murder, he entered a not-guilty plea. In recently released court records, Allen reportedly admitted to the crime while speaking with his wife on the phone. A bullet, not used, found near one of the girls’ corpses connected his gun to the murder scene, and he acknowledged being on the hunt the day of the killings.
The confession and evidence have been contested by Allen’s defense team, claiming they were forced and untrustworthy. Doubts have been raised about the competency and trustworthiness of specialists who suggested Allen’s arrest. They have requested a prompt trial and a different location.
The probable cause document states that on October 13, 2022, Allen told detectives he was dressed in pants and a blue or black Carhartt jacket. A search of Allen’s home revealed guns, knives, boots, coats, and other items, including a Sig Sauer Model P226.40 caliber handgun.
Using NIBIN, a ballistic matching program, the Indiana State Police Laboratory examined the handgun. The unfired bullet found near the victim’s corpse was identified as coming from Richard M. Allen’s Sig Sauer Model P226.
Detectives believe Allen forced Abby and Libby down the hill to the spot where they were killed, according to the report.
Richard Allen’s Defense Team Quits
In a surprising turn of events, Richard Allen’s defense team dissolved months before his trial. Attorneys Andrew Baldwin and Brad Rozzi abruptly abandoned ship on October 19, 2023, following the cancellation of a crucial court hearing. Speculations surround the scandalous hacked crime scene images traced back to Baldwin’s office, showcasing the macabre details of the killings.
These gruesome photographs, spreading across the internet, incited widespread outrage. Baldwin, claiming he was “duped and exploited” by a friend who viewed the pictures without his knowledge, insisted on his innocence. Paradoxically, on the same day, he recused himself as counsel, with Rozzi expected to follow suit.
The trial, initially set for January 2024, now hangs in limbo due to the sudden departure of Allen’s legal team. Allen, still eligible for court-appointed counsel, awaits the selection of new public defenders by the judge. Despite the judge expressing her desire for Baldwin and Rozzi to collaborate with the incoming attorney, they bear no obligation to comply. An October 31, 2023, hearing looms, where the judge contemplates appointing fresh legal representation for Allen.
New Attorneys Appointed
Richard Allen has recently been assigned two new attorneys, Robert Scremin and William Lebrato, who are contracted public defenders. These appointments were made by Judge Frances Gull on October 27, 2023, following the withdrawal of previous attorneys Bradley Rozzi and Anthony Baldwin. The trial for this case is set to take place in January 2024.
Bottom Line
Unite in speaking out against violence, because our collective voice is powerful enough to bring about change.
The Delphi murders case has ignited a heated debate in the public and political spheres, with accusations of misusing power and undermining justice on both sides. The case also raises questions about the role and responsibility of law enforcement and forensic science in solving crimes and the challenges they face in balancing accuracy and urgency.
