Trial begins for man accused of 2017 Delphi murders
- Abigail Williams and Liberty German were found murdered in February 2017 in Delphi, Indiana, leading to a long investigation.
- Richard Allen, the accused, confessed to being on the trail where the girls disappeared but maintains his innocence; his trial has begun.
- The community continues to seek closure and justice for the tragic murders of Abby and Libby amid complex legal proceedings.
In February 2017, Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German, two teenage girls aged 13 and 14, went missing while hiking along the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana. Their bodies were discovered shortly thereafter, leading to a significant investigation into their murders that deeply impacted the small community of Delphi. Richard Allen, the primary suspect, confessed to being on the same trail on the day of their disappearance yet pleads not guilty to the charges against him. New evidence surfaced in June 2023, indicating that a gun was believed to have been used in the crime, with an unspent bullet found near the victims. As the trial for Allen has commenced, jurors will hear confessions he allegedly made over 60 times since his arrest, including communications with family members. However, intriguing theories surrounding the manner of the girls' deaths have surfaced, with the defense proposing connections to neo-Nazi beliefs and ritualistic practices, although these have been dismissed due to lack of admissible evidence. Jury selection began on October 14, 2024, following previous delays related to personnel changes in Allen's legal team amid controversies over crime scene photo leaks. As the trial proceeds, the community grapples with its tragic past while seeking justice for Abby and Libby amid complex legal arguments and emotional testimonies regarding the impact of their deaths. This case has captured national attention due to its sensitivity and the lingering questions regarding the circumstances of the girls' deaths.