Who Were Abigail Williams and Liberty German?
Abigail “Abby” Williams and Liberty “Libby” German were two girls from Delphi, Indiana. They were 13 and 14 years old, respectively, at the time of their deaths. They were both students at Delphi Community Middle School.
What Happened on the Day of the Murders?
On February 13, 2017, a relative dropped Abby and Libby off at a hiking trail near the Monon High Bridge just outside their hometown of Delphi, about 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis. At 2:07 p.m., Libby posted a photo of Abby on Snapchat. The girls failed to meet Libby’s father at the agreed-upon pickup point. They were reported missing later that day.
Their bodies were found the next day, February 14, 2017, in a rugged, heavily wooded area near the trail, half a mile from the Monon High Bridge.
How Were Abigail Williams and Liberty German Killed?
The cause of death for Abby and Libby has not been released to the public, however the autopsies ruled their wounds were caused by a sharp object.
In a March 2017 search warrant application, an FBI agent asserted that the girls’ bodies seemed to have been “repositioned and arranged” at the crime scene.
Were There Any Clues Found at the Scene?
Yes, Liberty German had the presence of mind to record a video and audio of the suspected perpetrator on her phone. The Indiana State Police released a brief snippet of the recording to the public in 2017, but the full recording has not been released. This is because the recording is considered key evidence in the case, and investigators do not want to jeopardize the investigation’s integrity. In the recording, the suspect can be heard saying, “down the hill.”
Thanks to the evidence Libby was able to capture, authorities were able to release an initial sketch of the suspected killer in July 2017 and then another in April 2019.
Investigators also determined that “articles of clothing from the girls were missing from the scene, including a pair of underwear and a sock.”
What Do We Know About the Suspect?
Richard Matthew Allen, a local Delphi man, was arrested in October 2022 and charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Abby and Libby. He is currently awaiting trial.
Law enforcement recovered numerous items from Allen’s property, including boots, 15 hunting and utility knives, sweatshirts, multiple cell phones, an iPod, a hard drive, a laptop and other electronics. A Sig Sauer P226 was also removed from his home. This is significant to the case as police claim testing showed a bullet found at the crime scene was cycled through that gun.
What Evidence is There Against Richard Allen?
According to unsealed court documents, Allen allegedly confessed to the murder of Abby and Libby multiple times during a phone call to his wife on April 3, 2023.
“Investigators had the phone call transcribed, and the transcription confirms that Richard Allen admits that he committed the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German,” reads a motion filed on April 20 by Carroll County prosecutor Nicholas McLeland. “He admits several times within the phone call that he committed the offenses as charged. His wife, Kathy Allen, ends the phone call abruptly.”
Why Did Richard Allen Kill Abby and Libby?
The motive for the murders is still unknown.
When Will Richard Allen Stand Trial for the Murders of Abby and Libby?
Richard Allen was originally due to stand trial for the murders on January 8, 2024. On October 31, 2023, Special Judge Fran Gull announced she was postponing the trial to October 2024. Tentative dates of October 15th through to the 31st of 2024 were set.
What Happened With Richard Allen’s Defense Lawyers? Why did they get removed?
On October 31, 2023, Special Judge Fran Gull officially dismissed defense attorneys Andrew Baldwin and Brad Rozzi from the double homicide case involving Richard Allen.
Expressing her concerns, Judge Gull addressed Allen, saying, “I cannot and will not allow them to represent you. I am sorry this happened to you, Mr. Allen.”
A motion had previously been filed by Rozzi requesting Judge Gull to recuse herself from the case. In response, Judge Gull filed a motion to dismiss Baldwin and Rozzi, citing their “gross negligence.”
Rozzi claimed Judge Gull pressured him into verbally agreeing to resign, although he never submitted the necessary paperwork. On Tuesday, both attorneys contended their right to remain on the case, with Rozzi emphasizing that Allen wanted their representation.
William S. Lebrato and Robert C. Scremin are Richard Allen’s new court appointed lawyers.
Where Can I Read Official Documents About the Case?
In June 2023, Judge Gull unsealed nearly 120 documents in the case against Richard Allen. An additional 19 filings remain sealed. You can read those official documents at https://allensuperiorcourt.us/delphi/
1 Response
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