Seven years after the tragic murders of two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana, the trial for Richard Allen, the man accused of their deaths, has begun. Police allege Allen is responsible for killing Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German, who went missing on February 13, 2017, and were found dead the next day. Allen, a local resident, was arrested in 2022 and faces two counts of murder and two counts of murder while kidnapping.
The case is expected to become one of Indiana’s most high-profile and controversial trials. The small community of Delphi was first shaken by the brutal killings and then further shocked by the arrest of Allen, a man many described as blending quietly into the town.
The trial began with heart-wrenching testimony from the families of the victims, as well as details about the ongoing investigation.
Abby Williams’ Mother Testifies About Her Daughter
Abby's mother, Anna Williams, testified on the first day of the trial, recalling her daughter's personality and the events of the day she went missing. Abby, 13, was described as a smart and reserved girl who preferred spending time with a small group of friends. Anna, who worked two jobs, remembered receiving a call from Becky Patty, Libby's grandmother, informing her that the girls had not returned home.
Anna noted that it was unusual for Abby and Libby to go places alone, adding that they were always together. She tearfully described a photo taken by Libby on the day they disappeared, showing Abby in the backseat of a car, on their way to the trail. The emotional testimony underscored the deep loss felt by both families.
Details from the Scene and Investigation
Carroll County Sheriff's Deputy Mitch Catron testified about his role in the initial search for the missing girls. He described how he approached the trail near the Monon High Bridge, where the girls were last seen, and how he searched nearby areas for any signs of them. Despite searching for about 10 minutes, he found nothing unusual near the property.
Allen’s defense focused on questioning whether Allen, who is described as smaller and soft-spoken, could have physically forced the girls down the hill and carried out the killings. Witnesses provided contrasting descriptions of the girls’ personalities—Libby was known to be more outspoken, while Abby was quieter but could become loud when excited.
Testimony from Libby German’s Sister and Father
Libby’s older sister, Kelsi Siebert, and her father, Derrick German, also testified. Kelsi described her close bond with her sister, calling her brave and unafraid to cross the towering Monon High Bridge. She recalled dropping the girls off at the trailhead on February 13, 2017, and later receiving a call from their grandmother that the girls hadn’t returned. At first, she didn’t think anything was wrong, assuming they were still exploring the woods.
Derrick German shared the last conversation he had with his daughter. Libby called him to ask for a ride home from the bridge, and he told her it would be a couple of hours before he could pick them up. She responded, "No problem. We’ll just do some exploring." When Derrick arrived at the trail later that afternoon, he repeatedly called Libby but received no answer. His concern grew as he walked the trail, but the girls were nowhere to be found.
The first day of the trial has already brought forward difficult emotions and key insights into the timeline and investigation surrounding the murders. The case will continue to unfold in the coming weeks, as witnesses provide more testimony and evidence is presented in court.
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