Delphi’s murder trial begins. Here’s everything we know about the grisly murders of two teenage girls in 2017

The long-awaited trial for the 2017 murders of Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, began Friday in Delphi, Indiana. Richard Allen, 52, a former employee of a local pharmacy, is accused of murdering the two teenagers, whose deaths remained unsolved for more than five years. The case has attracted widespread attention, particularly from true crime fans, due to its chilling details and the length of the investigation.

The crime and the initial investigation

The girls, known as Abby and Libby, disappeared on February 13, 2017, while hiking the Monon High Bridge Trail near their hometown. Their bodies were discovered the next day in a rugged, wooded area, about a quarter mile from the trail. Shortly afterward, police released clues from Libby’s cellphone, including grainy images, a brief video of a man walking on an abandoned railroad bridge, and an audio clip of a voice saying “down the hill “. These clues sparked public interest but did not lead to an immediate arrest. Over the years, two suspicious sketches have been released, but investigators have struggled to make significant progress. It was not until October 2022 that authorities arrested Richard Allen, who had lived and worked in Delphi his entire life. According to a 2017 police interview, Allen admitted to being on the trail the day Abby and Libby disappeared, although he claimed he didn’t see anyone while walking. However, a bullet found at the crime scene was later linked to his .40 caliber pistol.

Trial Procedures and Evidence
Nearly two years after Allen’s arrest, the trial is now underway at the Carroll County Courthouse, just blocks from where he worked. A jury, brought 100 miles away, will be sequestered throughout the month-long trial. Reporting from the courtroom was prohibited by the judge, who also put in place a silence order.

Prosecutors plan to present evidence including statements Allen allegedly made to law enforcement, inmates and their relatives, as well as a recorded phone call in which he allegedly confessed to the killings. Defense attorneys, meanwhile, have suggested an alternative theory, saying the teens were victims of ritual sacrifice by a group called the Odinists, although prosecutors have not confirmed the cause of death.History and arrest of Richard Allen
Allen, who was 50 at the time of the murders, was part of the Delphi community, where he lived with his family. His name emerged early in the investigation, but it was not until a review of old tips in 2022 that police reexamined his statements and searched his home, finding evidence that led to his arrest.

The impact on Delphi and continued public interest
With a population of approximately 3,000, Delphi has felt the weight of the tragedy and the trial marks an important step toward justice for Abby and Libby. The case was marked by delays, including a leak of evidence and changes to Allen’s defense team, and remains a focal point for true crime fans.

As opening statements begin, the jury will hear details of a case that has haunted the small Indiana town for more than seven years, with the potential for new revelations about what happened on that tragic day of 2017. If convicted, Allen could face up to 130 years in prison for the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.

With contributions from the agency