Indiana man convicted of murdering two teenage girls

A jury in Indiana has found Richard Allen, a 52-year-old local pharmacist, guilty of murdering two teenage girls, Liberty German and Abigail Williams, who vanished during a hike in Delphi in February 2017. The case captivated public interest for years as authorities worked to identify a suspect, while true-crime enthusiasts nationwide closely followed the investigation.

Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, were last seen hiking near an abandoned railway bridge on the outskirts of Delphi, their hometown. They were reported missing on February 13, 2017, and their bodies were discovered the following day near the bridge, with authorities reporting cuts to their throats.

The break in the case came in 2022 when Allen was arrested, ending a nearly five-year-long search for the girls’ killer. Prosecutors presented evidence during the trial that included German’s cellphone footage, which they argued placed Allen at the scene. The phone recording, recovered by investigators, also captured an audio clip in which Allen was heard confessing to the murders.

Allen’s defense, however, challenged the prosecution’s case, arguing that his confessions were made while he was mentally unwell after extended periods in solitary confinement. Allen’s attorneys argued that his mental state was severely compromised, suggesting that his statements were unreliable. A psychologist testified that the conditions under which Allen was held could indeed cause symptoms of delirium and psychosis, casting doubt on his admissions of guilt.

The prosecution highlighted additional evidence, including an unspent bullet found at the crime scene, which investigators linked to Allen’s firearm. The defense disputed this finding with an expert witness, questioning the bullet’s significance in proving Allen’s involvement. Additionally, defense lawyers pointed out that no eyewitnesses had placed Allen at the scene, and they argued that there were enough gaps in the evidence to raise reasonable doubt.

Despite these arguments, the jury reached a guilty verdict on Monday. Allen showed no visible reaction as the verdict was read, though he briefly spoke with his family afterward. Outside the courthouse, a crowd gathered in support of the victims’ families, and cheers erupted as news of the conviction spread.

Allen is scheduled for sentencing on December 20 and could face up to 130 years in prison. His conviction brings an end to a case that had frustrated investigators and left the Delphi community on edge for years. The murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams had cast a shadow over the small town, where the girls were well-known and remembered as kind-hearted teenagers with bright futures.

The Delphi case has since become a chilling reminder of the dangers that can lurk even in close-knit communities. The haunting details and long search for answers have brought renewed attention to unresolved cases across the country.