Richard Allen Found Guilty on All Counts in Delphi Double Murder Trial

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Richard Allen Verdict Details

Richard Allen has been found guilty on all counts in the Delphi double murder trial. The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, deliberated for four days before reaching a verdict. Allen was charged with the murders of 13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German, who were killed while hiking on a trail in Delphi, Indiana, on February 13, 2017. The bodies of the girls were discovered the following day.

Key Points of the Verdict:

  1. Guilty on All Counts: Richard Allen was found guilty of two counts of murder and two additional counts of murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping.
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  2. Jury Deliberation: The jury deliberated for four days, starting on Thursday and continuing through the weekend.
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  3. Confessions and Evidence: Prosecutors presented Allen's repeated jailhouse confessions as key evidence. The defense argued that these confessions were coerced and that the investigation was botched.
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  4. No DNA Evidence: Despite the lack of DNA evidence linking Allen to the murders, the jury was convinced by other forms of evidence, including Allen's confessions and the timeline established by the prosecution.

Implications of the Verdict

  1. Sentencing: Richard Allen could face up to 130 years in prison. The sentencing phase of the trial will determine the exact duration of his imprisonment.
  2. Community Impact: The verdict has brought a mix of relief and ongoing emotion in the Delphi community. Many residents have been deeply affected by the crime, and the trial has been a significant event for the small town.
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  3. Closure for Families: The families of Abby Williams and Libby German may find some closure with the guilty verdict. Friends and community members expressed hope that the families can now have some peace and remember the girls for who they were, rather than their tragic deaths.

Background of the Delphi Double Murder Case

  1. The Crime: On February 13, 2017, best friends Abby Williams and Libby German were hiking on a trail in Delphi, Indiana. They were last seen on a bridge, and their bodies were found the next day. The crime shocked the community and gained national attention when police released a recording of the suspect's voice saying "down the hill".
  2. Investigation and Arrest: The case remained unsolved for over five years until Richard Allen was arrested in October 2022. Allen, a 50-year-old husband and father who worked at a local CVS, was charged with the murders after a lengthy investigation.
  3. Trial: The trial began nearly eight years after the murders, with jury selection in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The prosecution and defense presented their cases, focusing on Allen's confessions, the timeline of events, and the lack of DNA evidence.
The verdict in the Delphi double murder trial has significant implications for the legal system, the community, and the families of the victims. While it brings some closure, the emotional impact of the crime will continue to be felt for years to come.