During the trial of Richard Allen for the murders of teenage friends Abigail Williams and Liberty German in Delphi, Indiana, prosecutors alleged that Allen used fear to force the girls down a hill before slitting their throats. The girls’ bodies were found the next day, with Libby naked and covered in blood, and Abby clothed in Libby’s clothing. The prosecution presented evidence including confessions Allen allegedly made and witnesses who saw him at the trail.
Defense lawyer Andrew Baldwin claimed Allen’s innocence, citing a muddled investigation and lost evidence. He also mentioned a strand of hair found on Abby’s fingers that did not belong to Allen or the girls. The defense plans to challenge the state’s timeline and suggest the girls may have been abducted in another vehicle.
The trial, which drew renewed attention to the case, featured emotional testimonies from the girls’ family members and others who searched for them. If found guilty, Allen could face up to 130 years in prison. Evidence in the case includes a bullet linked to Allen’s pistol, video footage from Libby’s phone showing the suspect, and multiple confessions allegedly made by Allen.
The defense withdrew a request for jurors to visit the crime scene and was denied the opportunity to present a theory about ritualistic sacrifice by Odinists. The trial is expected to reveal new details about the case that has remained unsolved for over five years.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com