Richard Allen, a former CVS employee, has been found guilty by a jury for the brutal murders of Indiana teens Abigail (Abby) Williams and Liberty (Libby) German in 2017. The case, known as the "Delphi Murders," gripped the nation for years before Allen's arrest in 2022.
The Gruesome Crime and Trial
On February 13, 2017, Abby, 13, and Libby, 14, disappeared while hiking the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana. Their bodies were discovered the following day near Deer Creek, just a short distance from the bridge where they were last seen. The crime scene was less than a five-minute drive from Richard Allen’s home, where he had lived with his wife Kathy since at least 2006.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Allen, now 52, murdered the girls by slitting their throats. He was convicted on two counts of murder and two counts of murder while committing kidnapping. The jury found him guilty despite his defense team's claim that there was insufficient evidence and too much reasonable doubt to convict him. Allen faces a potential sentence of up to 130 years in prison, with sentencing set for December 20.
Allen's Arrest and Confession
Allen, who had no prior criminal record, worked as a pharmacy technician at a local CVS store. He was arrested in 2022 after an extensive investigation. Reports revealed that Allen had confessed to the murders using a box cutter as the weapon. Indiana State Police Detective Brian Harshman testified that Allen made incriminating statements during phone calls from jail to his mother and wife. Additionally, a fellow inmate came forward, claiming Allen had admitted to the crime and revealed details about the murder weapon.
The Day of the Delphi Murders
On the day of the tragedy, the girls were dropped off by Libby’s older sister, Kelsi German, at the Monon High Bridge Trail around 1:30 PM. At 2:07 PM, Libby posted a photo of Abby walking on the bridge, which was the last known sighting of the pair. When the girls failed to show up at the designated pickup spot later that day, their families immediately began searching the area. The search continued through the night, and their bodies were discovered the following afternoon.
The investigation into the murders went on for years, with multiple suspects and leads before Allen's arrest brought new developments to the case. His home was searched, leading to his eventual detainment on charges related to the slayings.
Impact on the Community and Verdict Reaction
The case deeply affected the Delphi community and garnered national attention. Crowds gathered outside the courthouse as the verdict was read, erupting in cheers when Allen was found guilty. His wife, Kathy, left the courtroom visibly distressed, telling reporters that the fight for justice was far from over.
Following the verdict, Kelsi German, Libby's sister, shared a heartfelt photo of the two girls on Instagram, captioning it, "Nearly 8 years, today was the day," reflecting on the long-awaited outcome.
The conviction of Richard Allen brings some closure to the families of Abby Williams and Liberty German, but the emotional scars from the tragedy remain. As Allen awaits sentencing, the case continues to serve as a somber reminder of the dangers the young girls faced on what was supposed to be a simple afternoon hike.
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