Murder Trial Begins for Accused Killer of Two Indiana Teenagers

The murder trial of Richard Allen, accused of the 2017 killings of two teenage girls, Liberty German and Abigail Williams, is set to begin with opening statements scheduled for Friday in Delphi, Indiana. Allen’s arrest marked the end of a five-year search for a suspect in a case that captured national attention.

Richard Allen, 52, faces charges including two counts of murder and two counts of felony murder, according to court records. The charges were amended earlier this year following his initial plea of not guilty. Allen, a former pharmacy worker, had resided and worked in Delphi, a town with a population of less than 3,000 people located about an hour northwest of Indianapolis.

The trial is being held at the Carroll County Courthouse, but the jury was selected from residents of Allen County, located approximately 100 miles away. To ensure impartiality, the jury will be sequestered for the trial’s duration, while communications will be monitored by bailiffs to prevent exposure to media coverage.

The deaths of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, have had a profound impact on the Delphi community. The teenagers were found dead on February 14, 2017, after disappearing during a hike on the Delphi Historic Trail the previous day. Their bodies were discovered in a wooded area near the Monon High Bridge, an abandoned rail bridge.

During the investigation, authorities released grainy images and audio captured on Liberty German’s cell phone, which they believed showed the suspect. This evidence, along with video footage of a man following the girls, prompted years of investigation and public appeals for information.

Prosecutors have gathered evidence to support their case against Allen, including the discovery of an unspent .40 caliber bullet near the crime scene that matched a handgun he owned. Additionally, incriminating statements allegedly made by Allen, including admissions to correctional officers, inmates, and his wife, form a significant part of the prosecution’s evidence.

The defense maintains that Allen is wrongly accused and has introduced a theory suggesting the possible involvement of the Odinist religion, a belief system linked by some to white nationalism. Despite a previous ruling against including this theory, Judge Fran Gull has allowed its presentation in court.

The trial is expected to last several weeks, with the prosecution anticipating calling around 50 witnesses and the defense naming approximately 120. The legal proceedings are being closely followed following years of intense public interest and media coverage.