In the small Indiana town of Delphi, a murder trial kicked off recently, focusing on the 2017 deaths of two teenage girls: 13-year-old Abigail Williams and 14-year-old Liberty German. Richard Allen, a local pharmacy worker, is accused of murdering them. Allen was arrested in late 2022, years after the girls' deaths sparked national attention among true-crime enthusiasts.
The trial is expected to last for a month, with the jury sequestered and kept away from media to avoid influence. Trial proceedings will take place in the Carroll County Courthouse, near the pharmacy where Allen worked. Witnesses from both sides will testify, including around 50 witnesses for the prosecution and a larger number for the defense.
The teens, affectionately known as Abby and Libby, were found near the Monon High Bridge Trail after going missing a day earlier. The investigation initially revealed audio and photos from Libby's phone, believed to be clues from the killer. Sketches and a video of a suspect were later released. Investigators eventually discovered that Allen had been interviewed in 2017 but had not been identified as a suspect until his arrest in 2022.
The defense team suggested the girls might have been victims of a ritual sacrifice by a pagan Norse group, though prosecutors have not revealed how the teens were killed. The trial has faced several delays, including evidence leaks and changes in legal representation. Judge Fran Gull, overseeing the trial, allowed evidence from incriminating statements Allen allegedly made to correctional officers and relatives, including a recorded call where he confessed to the killings.
