The Delphi murders , a case that gripped the nation for nearly six years, began with the disappearance of two teenage girls , Abigail Williams (13) and Liberty German (14), on February 13, 2017. The friends had ventured onto the Monon High Bridge Trail, part of the Delphi Historic Trails in Indiana . They were last seen on that trail, but tragically, their bodies were discovered the next day, sparking a mystery that would endure for years.
The case gained widespread attention after police released video and audio evidence from German’s smartphone, which captured the suspect’s voice and grainy footage. Despite the critical evidence, the investigation stalled, leaving authorities and the public baffled.
In a breakthrough development, authorities arrested Richard Allen , a 52-year-old pharmacy technician, on October 26, 2022, charging him with two counts of murder days later. The trial , which began on October 18, 2024, marks a moment for Delphi as the long-standing mystery unfolds in court.
The case against Richard AllenProsecutor Nicholas McLeland alleged that Allen forced the girls off the hiking trail before murdering them. Key evidence included a bullet found at the scene and a video recording from Liberty German’s phone.
McLeland told the jury, “The last thing the girls saw was Richard Allen’s face.” He detailed how Allen, armed and issuing chilling commands like, “Girls, down the hill,” frightened the victims into compliance. The prosecutor argued that Allen’s statements, captured by German’s phone, pointed to his guilt.
The evidence presented included a bullet found between the victims’ bodies, which prosecutors claim matched Allen’s .40-caliber pistol. The prosecution also highlighted incriminating statements Allen made to law enforcement, correctional officers, and his wife, claiming these contained information only the perpetrator could know.
Defense counters with claims of innocenceRichard Allen’s defense attorney, Andrew Baldwin, argued that his client was innocent and that the evidence presented left ample room for reasonable doubt. Baldwin highlighted inconsistencies in Allen’s statements, which he said were made under duress in poor conditions. He questioned the claim that Allen shot the victims, noting that the girls were not killed by gunfire.
Baldwin also pointed out early police theories suggesting the possibility of multiple perpetrators. “Richard Allen is innocent,” he asserted, maintaining his client’s innocence throughout his statement.
Testimonies from the victims’ familiesThe prosecution called several family members to testify. Becky Patty, Liberty German’s grandmother, described Liberty as “active, very smart, involved in sports” and recalled their last conversation. Fighting back tears, Patty shared, “I told her to grab a jacket. The last thing she said was, ‘Grandma, we’ll be OK.’”
Kelsi German Siebert, Liberty’s sister, recounted dropping the girls off at the Monon High Bridge trail that fateful day and testified that she had no reason to suspect anything would go wrong. Liberty’s father, Derrick German, described the frantic search for his daughter when he couldn’t reach her by phone and the grim moment when he realized the terrible reality as he saw the coroner’s van arrive.
Abigail Williams’s mother, Anna Williams, testified about her daughter’s personality and their church and sports involvement. On cross-examination, the defense probed about Abigail’s voice, to which she responded, “Depends who she was speaking to.”
First responder testimonyDeputy Mitchell Catron, the first officer on the scene, testified about the initial 911 call reporting the girls missing. He described his search efforts and the shift handover before realizing the magnitude of the situation.
The trial’s opening week has been marked by emotional testimonies and detailed recounting of events from February 2017. As the prosecution and defense present contrasting narratives, the legal battle over Richard Allen’s alleged involvement continues to unfold, with the small town of Delphi awaiting justice.
The case gained widespread attention after police released video and audio evidence from German’s smartphone, which captured the suspect’s voice and grainy footage. Despite the critical evidence, the investigation stalled, leaving authorities and the public baffled.
In a breakthrough development, authorities arrested Richard Allen , a 52-year-old pharmacy technician, on October 26, 2022, charging him with two counts of murder days later. The trial , which began on October 18, 2024, marks a moment for Delphi as the long-standing mystery unfolds in court.
The case against Richard AllenProsecutor Nicholas McLeland alleged that Allen forced the girls off the hiking trail before murdering them. Key evidence included a bullet found at the scene and a video recording from Liberty German’s phone.
McLeland told the jury, “The last thing the girls saw was Richard Allen’s face.” He detailed how Allen, armed and issuing chilling commands like, “Girls, down the hill,” frightened the victims into compliance. The prosecutor argued that Allen’s statements, captured by German’s phone, pointed to his guilt.
The evidence presented included a bullet found between the victims’ bodies, which prosecutors claim matched Allen’s .40-caliber pistol. The prosecution also highlighted incriminating statements Allen made to law enforcement, correctional officers, and his wife, claiming these contained information only the perpetrator could know.
Defense counters with claims of innocenceRichard Allen’s defense attorney, Andrew Baldwin, argued that his client was innocent and that the evidence presented left ample room for reasonable doubt. Baldwin highlighted inconsistencies in Allen’s statements, which he said were made under duress in poor conditions. He questioned the claim that Allen shot the victims, noting that the girls were not killed by gunfire.
Baldwin also pointed out early police theories suggesting the possibility of multiple perpetrators. “Richard Allen is innocent,” he asserted, maintaining his client’s innocence throughout his statement.
Testimonies from the victims’ familiesThe prosecution called several family members to testify. Becky Patty, Liberty German’s grandmother, described Liberty as “active, very smart, involved in sports” and recalled their last conversation. Fighting back tears, Patty shared, “I told her to grab a jacket. The last thing she said was, ‘Grandma, we’ll be OK.’”
Kelsi German Siebert, Liberty’s sister, recounted dropping the girls off at the Monon High Bridge trail that fateful day and testified that she had no reason to suspect anything would go wrong. Liberty’s father, Derrick German, described the frantic search for his daughter when he couldn’t reach her by phone and the grim moment when he realized the terrible reality as he saw the coroner’s van arrive.
Abigail Williams’s mother, Anna Williams, testified about her daughter’s personality and their church and sports involvement. On cross-examination, the defense probed about Abigail’s voice, to which she responded, “Depends who she was speaking to.”
First responder testimonyDeputy Mitchell Catron, the first officer on the scene, testified about the initial 911 call reporting the girls missing. He described his search efforts and the shift handover before realizing the magnitude of the situation.
The trial’s opening week has been marked by emotional testimonies and detailed recounting of events from February 2017. As the prosecution and defense present contrasting narratives, the legal battle over Richard Allen’s alleged involvement continues to unfold, with the small town of Delphi awaiting justice.
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