Testimony continues on Day 6 of Delphi murders trial

On Day 6, Richard Allen took center stage as the state tried to tie him to the murders. Jurors heard from six witnesses and learned how police pinpointed Allen as a suspect more than five years after the murders.

The jury learned that Allen voluntarily called a tip line and was interviewed by a DNR officer three days after Abby and Libby's bodies were found. DNR officer Dan Dulin told the jury nothing in Allen's interview stuck out. Dulin testified Allen said he'd been on the trail that day from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and saw three girls walking there.

Allen's file was marked cleared until five years later when a file clerk came across it again and remembered a tip about a man on the trail that day.

Former Delphi Police Chief Steve Mullin explained how investigators found video of what they say is Allen's car near the trails on the day of the murders. The defense got Mullin to admit Allen told police he drove to the trail a different way that day than the route Mullin claimed Allen did.

The jury also saw video Libby took on the bridge of Abby with "bridge guy" behind her that afternoon.

Carroll County Sheriff Tony Liggett testified to what he heard after watching and listening to that video hundreds of times. Liggett said that on the video, you can hear Abby say, "Is he right there? Don't leave me up here." Then Libby talks about the path, and one of them whispers, "That be a gun." Then Libby says, "No path here. Go down this way."

Right after that, Liggett said you hear the man from the video say, "Guys?" One of the girls replies, "Hi." And then, the man says, "Down the hill."

The jury also heard from lead investigator Indiana State Police Lt. Jerry Holeman, who helped serve a search warrant in October 2022 on Allen's house two hours after police interviewed Allen, letting him know he was a suspect.

Holeman said twice during the search of his home, Allen said, "It doesn't matter. It's over."

The jury also saw photos of more than 25 knives and box cutters they took from Allen's home, along with several phones and pagers. They also saw the gun police believe Allen had that day.

The jury also saw a photo of a wooden keepsake box, where police say they found a bullet that's the same kind as the one found at the crime scene. The defense argued nothing connected to Abby or Libby was ever found at Allen's home.

[lee-urnt]

It's been known for ages that witness descriptions of someone are not always correct.

[lalaLAX]

It doesn’t matter if the witnesses identify who they saw as Richard Allen. It’s important that they recognized the BRIDGE GUY in the video as who they saw. And the only possible person that could be in that video is Richard Allen, based on his own words! It’s not complicated

[tigersharkdiver]

What a moron, he got himself caught. Thank god he came forward first when he didn't think there was video of him.

[chrismathis]

Allen in my opinion is guilty, and those cops are morons. Both can be true.

[bobbsmith]

Amazing. A file clerk had more common sense than hundreds of FBi and law enforcement assigned to the case. They would still be making speeches without a clue if not for the file clerk. How many times did the Chief say when they come to a dead end, they started over from the beginning. They were just gulping down as much overtime as they could get.

[Iamsam-jlfn]

These doofus cops …. What a bunch of hicks

[CriminalNetwork]

The trial of Richard Allen, the suspect in the Delphi murders, has sparked significant public debate, with concerns about his treatment and the strength of the evidence against him. My points reflect frustrations from those who believe that Allen is being unjustly accused and that the case is being mishandled, particularly in regard to the legal processes, evidence preservation, and his treatment while incarcerated. Several key issues raised include:

Lack of Direct Evidence: According to Allen's defense and public commentary, there is no DNA, fingerprint, or other forensic evidence directly linking him to the murders of Abby and Libby, despite years of investigation and the collection of significant physical evidence from the crime scene.

Flaws in the Investigation: The claim that vital interview recordings were "accidentally deleted" in the early days of the investigation raises serious concerns about how the investigation was handled. The absence of clear records of witness statements, combined with deleted interviews and missing reports, is troubling.

Exculpatory Evidence and Alternative Suspects: Allen's defenders argue that much of the evidence uncovered during the investigation points to alternate suspects. Yet, these leads appear to have been overlooked or not properly investigated, according to defense filings.

Confessions and Mental State: Allen’s reported confessions, allegedly made under the influence of drugs while in a state of psychosis, add another layer of complexity. Such confessions are generally regarded with suspicion in legal proceedings due to questions about their reliability, particularly when the confessions do not contain verifiable details of the crime.

Psychological and Physical Conditions: The conditions of Allen’s imprisonment—particularly solitary confinement for 23 hours a day and being involuntarily medicated—raise ethical and human rights concerns. The prolonged stress, alongside withdrawal from long-term medication, has seemingly contributed to his deteriorating mental health.

Precedent and Constitutional Concerns: Many supporters of Allen emphasize the broader implications of his case, particularly with regard to constitutional rights. They believe that the prosecution's handling of the case could set a dangerous precedent where individuals could face severe punishment or imprisonment with insufficient evidence.

Justice for the Victims: While it’s clear that the community deeply mourns Abby and Libby, there’s a growing sentiment that true justice means identifying and convicting the right person, rather than rushing to prosecute someone who may not be involved.

In high-profile cases like this, public opinion can become polarized, but it’s crucial that the judicial process follows due process to ensure that justice is served both for the victims and the accused. The defense's efforts to raise questions about the investigation, as well as calls for transparency in handling evidence and alternative suspects, highlight the complexity of the case. Ultimately, the court proceedings will have to address these concerns to ensure that justice is achieved in a fair and thorough manner.

[xdra]

If looks alone are anything to go by, then I’m sorry, but RA does look the part of a deranged child-killer imo (as per the photo of him in this thumbnail and other photos I’ve seen of him). I cannot imagine the terror Abby and Libby must have felt to be confronted by someone looking like he does in these photos.

[jpaul]

Is that scary thumbnail completly necessary? He has the presumption of innocence.

[Anna.Mason]

If Allen admits he was on the bridge at the time of the murders and on his phone, there should be phone records and data supporting this. Do they have this evidence? Does it show the location and elevation drop at the same time as Libby’s phone did?

[donnacaldwell]

If he gets off, he’ll be hiding for the rest of his life because there are people out there who will not be able to accept it. Personally, I believe he’s guilty.

[keness]

Sure are a lot of people that have this guy's back... I think ha did it. Look at any murder that's been solved... the last person to come in contact with the victim is almost always the killer. Nice manson lamps there, rich.

[mombradshaw]

As much as we all want someone to pay, im not so sure ....i hope that they get their guy. I just don't buy that a guilty guy would call a tip-line on himself.. ? They need more evidence. I really do think that who he saw was not a 3rd " girl" but a "pretty" young man.

[GreyNDN]

This dude is getting railroaded. The entire thing is a horror, but he is definitely not the guy.

[observer]

The Only thing that matters is the Bridge Guy. Recorded on Libby’s phone. He is the Main Character.

[emmatinsley]

That legal analysis is on defense side I can’t take her serious

[jenniferunderwood]

Maybe the conflict on with Richard Allen is tall or short is because when you see “bridge man” is not walking upright but is walking on a tilt throwing off the perceived height of “bridge guy”. Ultimately it must be the right man or men who committed this heinous crime.
It’s been 7 years maybe he was in his late 30s at the time, now 7 years later in his mid 40s.

[TheGameHHH]

Th 4:33 they would not have anything without the woman who did not even get paid for her work. I hope she got paid

[jen.italia]

Sheneeqaw is a "Legal analyst"

[audreydaleski]

Such horrible violence. He is bridgeman.