14 of 16 jurors chosen in Delphi murders trial; selection resumes Tuesday

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14 of 16 jurors chosen in Delphi murders trial; selection resumes Tuesday

Ron Wilkins
Lafayette Journal & Courier
Published 6:42 p. m. ET Oct. 14, 2024 | Updated 7:08 p. m. ET Oct. 14, 2024

FORT WAYNE, Ind. ― Twelve jurors and two alternatives are chosen, leaving two more alternate jurors to pick Tuesday morning when Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen's trial resumes in Allen County.

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Prosecutors charged Allen with two counts of murder while kidnapping and two counts of murder in 2022. They say Allen forced Delphi teenagers Libby German and Abby Williams off the trails east of Delphi. He led them to the north bank of the Deer Creek, where prosecutors say he killed the girls. … Mini opening statements to the potential jurors gave glimpses into the prosecution's case, as well as insight into Allen's possible defense.

“Abby and Libby decided to go to the trails, especially the Monon High Bridge," Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland said in his mini opening statement, describing the abandoned railroad bridge 60 feet above Deer Creek as an adventure or a daring thing to walk across.

On Feb. 13, 2017, the girls were alone. But in reality, Allen was there, McLeland said, following the girls onto the railroad ties, forcing them to the far side of the bridge…. “His intent was to have his way with them," McLeland said, saying Allen forced the girls "down the hill" then forded the creek to the north side, where he killed them.

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1. Jurors found Richard Allen guilty on all four counts in murder of Abby and Libby

Jurors found Richard Allen guilty on all four counts in murder of Abby and Libby

Kristine Phillips, Ron Wilkins, Sarah Nelson, Jordan Smith and Jenny Porter Tilley
USA TODAY NETWORK
lished 7:35 a.m. ET Nov. 11, 2024 | Updated 4:25 p.m. ET Nov. 11, 2024

DELPHI, Ind. ― A jury of five men and seven women on Monday found Richard Allen guilty of all four charges in the deaths of Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German.

The jury convicted the 52-year-old Delphi man of two counts of murder and two counts of murder while kidnapping the girls. The long-awaited decision in one of Indiana's most high-profile murder cases comes after more than seven years of investigation, nearly three weeks of testimony and roughly 18 hours of deliberation spread over four days.

The verdict is an affirmation of the years-long and, at times, criticized law enforcement investigation of the girls’ Feb. 13, 2017, deaths. Although it may provide some closure for their families, the jury’s decision is unlikely to be the end of the case. Allen will most certainly appeal.

Before the verdict was announced, Special Judge Frances Gull asked everyone in the courtroom to keep their composure. "Regardless of what the verdict is," she said, "people will not be happy." ... There was a gasp followed by quiet sobs from members of Libby's family after the guilty verdict on the first murder charge was announced. Libby's mother, Carrie German Timmons, hugged the woman sitting next to her. After everyone was allowed to leave, Libby's relatives stayed to hug and thank Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland.

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