Delphi Teen Murder Trial Is Finally Starting

The murder trial for Abigail Williams and Liberty German, unsolved for years, has finally commenced with jury selection, drawing national attention as residents of Delphi, Indiana, await justice.

At a Glance

Abigail Williams and Liberty German were murdered in Delphi, Indiana, in February 2017.
Richard Allen was charged with their murders in late 2022.
Evidence includes audio and images from Liberty’s cellphone.
The court has begun jury selection.

Background of the Case

Abigail “Abby” Williams and Liberty “Libby” German were tragically murdered while hiking on a trail in Delphi, Indiana, in February 2017. Despite the immediacy with which their bodies were found—fatally stabbed near an abandoned rail bridge a day after they went missing—the case remained unsolved for several years. Critical evidence involving audio and images of the suspect was retrieved from Liberty’s cellphone, offering vital clues in the investigation.

Residents of Delphi, a small community of about 3,000, have long sought closure and justice for Abby and Libby, who were well-known in the area. Eventually, after over five years of uncertainty, Richard Allen, a pharmacy technician residing in Delphi, was charged with their murders in late 2022. Allen’s involvement was indicated by a bullet linked to a gun belonging to him, found near the crime scene.

In 2017, Abigail Williams and Liberty German went hiking in their hometown of Delphi, Indiana. The teens were found a day later murdered. The trial of the man suspected of the killings gets started today. https://t.co/pJRYWQbdYI

— Spectrum News 1 Kentucky (@SpectrumNews1KY) October 14, 2024

Trial Begins: Key Developments

The trial proceedings have finally commenced, with jury selection having started on October 14, 2024. This process involved distributing 600 questionnaires, leading to the seating of 14 out of 16 jurors, including alternates. Allen faces two counts of murder and two counts of felony murder, having confessed to the murders in phone calls while imprisoned. However, his defense argues he displayed psychotic symptoms during that time.

“When asked about the unspent bullet, [Allen] did not have an explanation of why the bullet was found between” the girls’ bodies, an affidavit read.

Currently, a gag order restricts public discussion of the case, which also includes no video or audio recordings from the courtroom. Richard Allen’s trial will occur in Allen County, Indiana, with Delphi continuing to follow the trial proceedings closely, hoping for a resolution that has eluded them for so long.

Justice and Closure Awaited

The community of Delphi eagerly watches the trial, which is expected to last approximately a month. Jurors, who have been sequestered, aim to navigate the complexities of the case without the influence of external media content. A critical aspect of the trial includes a denied defense motion to explore an alternate theory involving Odinism.

Throughout this trial, attention remains on the incredible sorrow the Delphi community has endured and the fervent hope that justice for Abby and Libby will finally be achieved.