:Murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German

At 1:35 p.m. on February 13, 2017, 13-year-old Abigail Joyce Williams (born June 23, 2003) and 14-year-old Liberty Rose Lynn German (born December 27, 2002) were dropped off by German's older sister, Kelsi German, on County Road 300 North, east of the Hoosier Heartland Highway. The girls were hiking on the Monon High Bridge over Deer Creek, among woodland in remote Deer Creek Township. At 2:07 p.m., German used social media to post a photo of Williams walking the bridge; after this incident, they were not heard from again.{{cite news |url=https://www.wrtv.com/delphi-timeline-the-search-for-libby-abbys-killer |title=DELPHI TIMELINE: The search for Libby & Abby's killer |publisher=WRTV |last=Cox |first=Megan |date=February 13, 2019 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128202238/https://www.wrtv.com/delphi-timeline-the-search-for-libby-abbys-killer |url-status=live }}

They were reported missing at 5:30 p.m. after they had failed to meet German's father at 3:15 p.m. The families initially searched for the girls themselves before calling the police. Authorities searching the area did not initially suspect foul play in the disappearance. This changed when the bodies of the girls were found around noon the next day, about {{convert|0.5|mi}} east of the abandoned Monon High Bridge.{{cite web|title=Timeline – Disappearance and deaths of Liberty German and Abigail Williams in Delphi|url=http://fox59.com/2017/02/16/timeline-disappearance-and-deaths-of-liberty-german-and-abigail-williams-in-delphi/|publisher=FOX 59|access-date=May 5, 2017|archive-date=November 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117085424/https://fox59.com/2017/02/16/timeline-disappearance-and-deaths-of-liberty-german-and-abigail-williams-in-delphi/|url-status=live}} The bodies were found on the north bank of Deer Creek.

Police did not initially release details of how the girls were murdered.{{cite web|last1=Mack|first1=Justin|title=2 months later, 5 questions about the Delphi killings|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2017/04/13/2-months-later-5-questions-delphi-killings/100413504/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|access-date=May 13, 2017|archive-date=November 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106152819/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2017/04/13/2-months-later-5-questions-delphi-killings/100413504/|url-status=live}}

As early as February 15, 2017, Indiana State Police began circulating a still image of an individual reportedly seen on the Monon High Bridge Trail near where the two friends were slain; the grainy photograph appears to capture a Caucasian male, hands in pockets, head down, walking on the rail bridge, towards the girls. A few days later, the person in the photograph, dubbed the "Bridge Guy",{{Cite web |last=Casarez |first=Zoe Sottile, Jean |date=2024-10-28 |title=For years, the Delphi double murder case went cold. Then a volunteer found a file with an interesting piece of information |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/28/us/delphi-murders-richard-allen-case/index.html |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=CNN |language=en}} was named the prime suspect in the double-homicide.

On February 22, law enforcement released an audio recording during which the voice of the suspect, although muffled, is heard to say, "Down the hill."{{Cite news|url=https://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2017/02/22/audio-clip-released-delphi-double-homicide/98241826/|title=Audio clip released in Delphi double homicide|newspaper=Journal & Courier|last=Paul|first=Joseph|language=en|date=February 22, 2017|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331160948/https://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2017/02/22/audio-clip-released-delphi-double-homicide/98241826/|url-status=live}} At this news conference, officials credited the source of the audio and imagery to German's smartphone and further regarded her as a hero for having had the presence of mind and fortitude to secretly record the exchange. Police indicated that additional evidence from the phone had been secured, but would not release further details so as not to "compromise any future trial." By this time, the reward offered in the case was set at $41,000.

File:Delphi-suspect-3 crop.jpg

On July 17, police distributed a composite sketch of someone sought as a person of prime interest in the murders. The sketch was apparently created from eyewitness accounts of a hiker on the Delphi Historic Trails the day the girls vanished.

On April 22, 2019, Indiana State Police announced a "new direction" in the case and released a new sketch of the suspect, while urging the public to look at the sketch, listen to the audio, watch how the man walks on the bridge and send tips to the tipline email.{{cite web |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indiana/randolph-co-sexual-abuse-suspect-draws-comparisons-delphi-murderer/531-b9bab514-1987-4472-a3bf-1835389b5ec6 |title=Randolph Co. sexual abuse suspect draws comparisons to Delphi murderer |publisher=WTHR |date=January 10, 2019 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130024927/https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indiana/randolph-co-sexual-abuse-suspect-draws-comparisons-delphi-murderer/531-b9bab514-1987-4472-a3bf-1835389b5ec6 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INPOLICE/bulletins/23f9c52 |title=Delphi Homicide Investigation Moves in New Direction |publisher=Indiana State Police |date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106152819/https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INPOLICE/bulletins/23f9c52 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=April 22, 2019 |title=New 'Face' of the Delphi Murder Suspect |url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INPOLICE/bulletins/23faa80 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |publisher=Indiana State Police |archive-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106152820/https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INPOLICE/bulletins/23faa80 |url-status=live }} Investigators stated they had reason to believe that the suspect might be hiding in plain sight and was almost certainly familiar with the Delphi area, from living there, working there or for other reasons.{{cite web | url=https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/indiana-police-release-new-sketch-and-recordings-of-delphi-killer-abby-and-libby | title=Police Release New Sketch & Recordings of Delphi Killer Who is 'Hiding in Plain Sight' | access-date=January 29, 2023 | archive-date=January 29, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129052843/https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/indiana-police-release-new-sketch-and-recordings-of-delphi-killer-abby-and-libby | url-status=live }} An additional plea was made for help in identifying the driver of a vehicle left abandoned off the Hoosier Heartland Highway in Delphi, at the former Child Services office, between noon and 5 p.m. on the day of the murders.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/delphi-murder-investigation-sketch-killer-indiana-girls-video |title=Delphi murder investigation features new sketch, background on 'heartless' killer of 2 Indiana girls |last=Fedschun |first=Travis |publisher=Fox News |date=April 22, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106152825/https://www.foxnews.com/us/delphi-murder-investigation-sketch-killer-indiana-girls-video |url-status=live }}

In September 2022, investigators reviewed a misfiled tip after a volunteer file clerk discovered the error. Richard Allen's last name was recorded incorrectly on the tip when submitted, and the file was therefore wrongly marked as "cleared";{{cite news |last1=Stelloh |first1=Tim |title=Delphi murders trial: A volunteer assisting police helped identify the man charged with killing 2 teens |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/delphi-murders-richard-allen-trial-rcna177392 |work=NBC News |date=26 October 2024 |language=en}} the file clerk deduced that the tip from years earlier was regarding Richard Allen, and brought it to the case's investigator.{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Jacqueline |title=Meet Kathy Shank, the woman who cracked the Delphi Murders case |url=https://www.wrtv.com/news/delphi/meet-kathy-swank-the-woman-who-cracked-the-delphi-murders-case |work=WRTV Indianapolis |date=20 December 2024 |language=en}} In the tip, Richard Allen self-reported three days after the murders to being on the trails on the day of the murders and seeing three girls on the trails.{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title=Delphi suspect went to police 3 days after the murders, but he 'fell in the cracks' for years: Sheriff |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/delphi-suspect-police-3-days-after-murders-fell/story?id=115145076 |website=ABC News |access-date=17 April 2025 |language=en}}

On October 26, 2022, Richard Allen was taken into custody and appeared in court on October 28.{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Arrest made in Delphi murder investigation, sources say |url=https://www.wrtv.com/news/delphi/arrest-made-in-delphi-murder-investigation-sources-say |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113032909/https://www.wrtv.com/news/delphi/arrest-made-in-delphi-murder-investigation-sources-say |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=WRTV Indianapolis |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=October 31, 2022 |title=Richard Allen arrest shocks the city of Delphi|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2022/11/01/who-is-delphi-murder-suspect-richard-allen-indiana-town-shocked/69607520007/|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101003533/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2022/11/01/who-is-delphi-murder-suspect-richard-allen-indiana-town-shocked/69607520007/|archive-date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2024 |website=TheIndyStar |language=en}} On October 31, Indiana State Police announced that Allen had been charged with two counts of murder in the case. He had pled not guilty. Time described the arrest as "the first major break in a case that has captivated national attention for nearly six years."{{cite magazine |last=Burga |first=Solcyre |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Inside the Years-Long Hunt for Justice in the Delphi Murders |url=https://time.com/6227003/delphi-murders-indiana-arrest/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127130812/https://time.com/6227003/delphi-murders-indiana-arrest/ |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en}} His trial, originally scheduled to start March 20, 2023, was postponed to allow the defense team to review discovery materials.{{Cite news |first1=Noe |last1=Padilla |first2=Ron |last2=Wilkins |title=Delphi man charged with murder in killings of Libby German and Abby Williams |url=https://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2022/10/31/delphi-man-arrested-charged-murder-killings-of-libby-german-abby-williams/69600844007/ |date=2022-10-31 |access-date=2022-11-01 |newspaper=Journal & Courier |language=en-US |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331160948/https://www.jconline.com/story/news/crime/2022/10/31/delphi-man-arrested-charged-murder-killings-of-libby-german-abby-williams/69600844007/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last3=McLaughlin |first1=Emma |last1=Tucker |first2=Barbara |last2=MacDonald |first3=Eliott C. |date=2022-10-31 |title=A man has been arrested and charged with murder in the 2017 killings of 2 teen girls in Indiana, authorities say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/us/delphi-teen-killings-indiana-state-police-update/index.html |access-date=2022-11-01 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123194513/https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/us/delphi-teen-killings-indiana-state-police-update/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://wibc.com/146107/delphi-murders-trial-may-be-far-far-away/ |title=Delphi Murders Trial May Be Far, Far Away |last=Burgess |first=Donnie |date=2023-02-17 |website=WIBC FM |access-date=2023-04-05 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405232004/https://wibc.com/146107/delphi-murders-trial-may-be-far-far-away/ |url-status=live }} Two public defenders were appointed to represent Allen.{{cite web |title=Attorneys appointed for man charged with killing 2 girls |url=https://apnews.com/article/indiana-franklin-logansport-32548964d8282bb844489d84b4327091 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |date=14 November 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126041350/https://apnews.com/article/indiana-franklin-logansport-32548964d8282bb844489d84b4327091 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=EXPLAINER: Why are court records sealed in 2 girls' deaths? |url=https://apnews.com/article/media-arrests-indiana-indianapolis-homicide-563d16a69b36629b829a3d3127dc1478 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |date=21 November 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126041349/https://apnews.com/article/media-arrests-indiana-indianapolis-homicide-563d16a69b36629b829a3d3127dc1478 |url-status=live }}

On November 29, 2022, Judge Frances Gull issued an order to unseal the probable cause affidavit that led to Allen's arrest. According to the redacted document, video footage recovered from German's phone showed one of the victims mentioning "gun" as a man wearing a dark jacket and jeans approached them and ordered them to go "down the hill." Investigators believe Allen is the man seen in the video. Investigators also found a ".40-caliber unspent round" less than two feet from one victim's body, but between the two victims. It was later determined that the round came from a gun owned by Allen. A witness said she saw a man walking away from the bridge "wearing a blue colored jacket and blue jeans and was muddy and bloody." Another witness and a tip mentioned that a car was parked "oddly" and appeared to be parked in a way as if to hide its license plate. Investigators said the description of the vehicle matched a vehicle that Allen owned in 2017.{{cite web |last1=Razek |first1=Raja |last2=Iden |first2=Drew |last3=MacDonald |first3=Barbara |title=A newly unsealed affidavit details the clues that led investigators to the suspect in Delphi teen girl killings |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/29/us/delphi-teen-girls-killing-probable-cause-affidavit/index.html |website=CNN |language=en |date=30 November 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126022952/https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/29/us/delphi-teen-girls-killing-probable-cause-affidavit/index.html |url-status=live }}

According to a probable cause affidavit, Allen was interviewed by the police in 2017, and said he was on the trail that afternoon for around two hours.{{cite web |last1=Shapiro |first1=Emily |title=Delphi murders: Suspect's gun matched bullet found by girls, according to newly released document |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/delphi-murders-probable-cause-affidavit-shows-victim-mentioned/story?id=94157975 |website=ABC News |language=en |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126013722/https://abcnews.go.com/US/delphi-murders-probable-cause-affidavit-shows-victim-mentioned/story?id=94157975 |url-status=live }} The document also said that in a subsequent interview in October 2022, Allen told authorities he had worn "jeans and a black or blue jacket" that day and had gone to the bridge to "watch fish."

Richard Matthew Allen (born September 1972){{cite web | url=https://www.in.gov/apps/indcorrection/ofs/ofs?previous_page=1&detail=273819 | title=Indiana Incarcerated Database Search }}{{cite web |title=Jury begins deliberating fate of Indiana man charged in 2017 killings of 2 teenage girls |url=https://apnews.com/article/delphi-indiana-teens-killed-richard-allen-5b7008f8c1ced3e06f6913907ff3cf96 |website=AP News |language=en |date=7 November 2024}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-11 |title=Who is Richard Allen? The man found guilty of the 2017 Delphi murders |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/richard-allen-trial-delphi-murders-what-happened-b2645237.html |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=The Independent |language=en}} grew up in Mexico, Indiana. Allen was a student at North Miami Middle/High School in neighboring Denver where he participated in football, track and field until graduating in 1991. Allen attended Ivy Tech Community College where he studied accounting, and had a short stint in both the U.S. Army and National Guard. Allen was later married and had one daughter. From 2003 until 2013, he worked as a store manager at a Logansport Walmart. He later worked at two CVS Pharmacy stores, one in neighboring Peru and the other in Delphi, before receiving his pharmacy technician license in February 2018.{{Cite news|date=2024-10-29 |title=Jurors hear about Richard Allen's prison confessions in Delphi trial|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2024/10/29/delphi-murders-trial-latest-live-updates-richard-allen-tuesday/75810332007/|access-date=November 11, 2024 |work=TheIndyStar|language=en }} Public records show that Allen relocated to Delphi from Mexico in December 2006.{{Cite news|last=Karpinski|first=Izzy|date=2022-10-31 |title=Who is Richard Allen? What we know about Delphi suspect|url=https://fox59.com/indiana-news/who-is-richard-allen-what-we-know-about-delphi-suspect/|access-date=November 11, 2024 |work=WXIN|language=en |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101132049/https://fox59.com/indiana-news/who-is-richard-allen-what-we-know-about-delphi-suspect/|url-status=live }}

Shortly after his arrest, Allen told authorities that on the day of the murders he was at his mother's house in Peru while his wife was working. Allen estimated that he left the house around 11:15 a.m., and arrived on the Monon High Trail around an hour later. Allen said that he saw three girls passing by on the trail, before stating that he did not see anybody else afterward. Allen said he then went on his phone to watch the stocks ticker while walking on the trail. Shortly after the murders, Allen told his wife that he was on the trail the day the girls went missing. His wife mentioned that the police were looking to talk to people who may have information. He then self-reported to a Department of Natural Resources officer three days after the murders.{{cite web |title=Information about Richard Allen's questions with authorities|url=https://abc11.com/delphi-trial-libbys-blood-likely-mixed-with-her-tears-expert-says/15484183/|website=WTVD-TV Raleigh|language=en |date=October 29, 2024|access-date=November 11, 2024|archive-date=October 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241029171907/https://abc11.com/delphi-trial-libbys-blood-likely-mixed-with-her-tears-expert-says/15484183/|url-status=live }}

On December 2, 2022, Judge Gull issued a gag order until January 2023. Allen's defense attorneys argued in a motion to move the trial out of Carroll County, based on concerns about juror bias due to what the attorneys described as the "extensive media attention" and the "highly publicized nature of the case" in the local area.{{cite web |title=Judge issues gag order in Delphi case |url=https://fox59.com/news/judge-issues-gag-order-in-delphi-case/ |last=Burbrink |first=Jacob |website=Fox 59 |date=2 December 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126041353/https://fox59.com/news/judge-issues-gag-order-in-delphi-case/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Defense and law enforcement spar over Delphi murders investigation |url=https://fox59.com/indiana-news/defense-and-law-enforcement-spar-over-delphi-murders-investigation/ |last=McQuaid |first=Russ |website=Fox 59 |date=December 1, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126043048/https://fox59.com/indiana-news/defense-and-law-enforcement-spar-over-delphi-murders-investigation/ |url-status=live }}

In October 2023, Judge Gull removed the defense attorneys, citing gross negligence due to crime scene photos being leaked from their office. The attorneys' removal was appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court in which the justices of the Indiana Supreme Court reinstated the defense attorneys to the case.{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Indiana Supreme Court explains why it reinstated Delphi murders suspect's original attorneys, kept special judge|url=https://www.wndu.com/2024/02/08/indiana-supreme-court-explains-why-it-reinstated-delphi-murders-suspects-original-attorneys-kept-special-judge/|work=WNDU|date=February 8, 2024|access-date=March 21, 2024|archive-date=August 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807164803/https://www.wndu.com/2024/02/08/indiana-supreme-court-explains-why-it-reinstated-delphi-murders-suspects-original-attorneys-kept-special-judge/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Two girls were murdered in Delphi in 2017. A local man has been convicted of murder |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/richard-allen-delphi-murders-trial-b2645236.html |access-date=20 December 2024 |work=The Independent |date=20 December 2024}}

The trial began on October 18, 2024, in Delphi. During the trial, prosecutors stated both girls had their throats cut.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-18 |title=Video and an unused bullet prove man's guilt in Indiana girls' killings, prosecutor says |url=https://apnews.com/article/abby-libby-delphi-indiana-richard-allen-trial-9d9756a1e076edaa2f0694a2b54ab3da |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Casarez |first=Zoe Sottile, Jean |date=2024-10-28 |title=For years, the Delphi double murder case went cold. Then a volunteer found a file with an interesting piece of information |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/28/us/delphi-murders-richard-allen-case/index.html |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=CNN |language=en}} Williams was found fully clothed in German's clothing, whereas German was discovered nude. An unspent .40 caliber bullet was discovered between the bodies, and was later linked to Allen's gun through the "quality and quantity of marks" according to a police firearms examiner. Prosecutors said that Allen had admitted to the murders more than 60 times while incarcerated, confessing to "his wife, his mother, family members, the prison warden, the psychologist who treated him in prison, other prison employees and other inmates."{{cite web |last1=Casarez |first1=Zoe Sottile, Jean |title='I did it': Jurors in Delphi double-murder trial hear suspect's prison confessions |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/04/us/delphi-murders-trial-richard-allen/index.html |website=CNN |language=en |date=4 November 2024}} The confessions were made in person, over the phone, and in writing.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Jury begins deliberating fate of Indiana man charged in 2017 killings of 2 teenage girls |url=https://apnews.com/article/delphi-indiana-teens-killed-richard-allen-5b7008f8c1ced3e06f6913907ff3cf96 |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=AP News |language=en}} Prosecutors told the jury that Allen was the "Bridge Guy" after showing them a digitally enhanced 43-second version of the cellphone video recorded by German.{{Cite web |last=Casarez |first=Zoe Sottile, Jean |date=2024-10-28 |title=For years, the Delphi double murder case went cold. Then a volunteer found a file with an interesting piece of information |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/28/us/delphi-murders-richard-allen-case/index.html |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=CNN |language=en}} A State Police Master Trooper, who had listened to more than 700 of Allen's prison phone calls, testified that "the voice of the 'Bridge Guy' is the voice of Richard Allen".{{Cite web |last=Faheid |first=Zoe Sottile, Jean Casarez, Dalia |date=2024-11-11 |title=Richard Allen found guilty on all counts in Delphi double murder trial |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/us/delphi-murders-trial-verdict/index.html |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=CNN |language=en}}

A clinical psychologist who worked for the Indiana Department of Corrections Behavioral Health testified on behalf of the defense that Allen was "diagnosed with a serious mental illness" and that he had a "grave disability".{{Cite news |date=2024-11-11 |title=The Richard Allen aftermath |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/us/delphi-murders-trial-verdict/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111194754/https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/us/delphi-murders-trial-verdict/index.html |archive-date=November 11, 2024 |access-date=November 11, 2024 |work=WXIN |language=en}} She testified that Allen told her that he had "originally planned to sexually assault the victims but ran away when he saw a van nearby, and he had cut the girls' throats and covered their bodies with sticks."{{Cite web |last=Faheid |first=Zoe Sottile, Jean Casarez, Dalia |date=2024-11-11 |title=Richard Allen found guilty on all counts in Delphi double murder trial |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/us/delphi-murders-trial-verdict/index.html |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=CNN |language=en}} The defense hired a neuropsychologist from Carmel, Indiana who testified at trial that Allen had "pretty severe depression" and work-related stress and anxiety.{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Matt |date=2024-11-03 |title=Richard Allen's mental state |url=https://fox59.com/delphi-trial/delphi-murders-defense-expert-testifies-about-richard-allens-mental-state-and-decline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241104204349/https://fox59.com/delphi-trial/delphi-murders-defense-expert-testifies-about-richard-allens-mental-state-and-decline/ |archive-date=November 4, 2024 |access-date=November 11, 2024 |work=WXIN |language=en}}

The jury, which had been sequestered during the trial, began deliberations on November 7.{{Cite web |last=Perlman |first=Marissa |date=2024-10-18 |title=Delphi murders trial begins in Indiana with opening statements, 7 years after girls killed - CBS Chicago |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/opening-statements-delphi-indiana-murders-trial/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Sottile |first1=Zoe |last2=Casarez |first2=Jean |last3=Faheid |first3=Dalia |date=2024-11-08 |title=Jury deliberations to resume Friday in Delphi double murder trial |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/08/us/delphi-murder-trial-jury-deliberations-friday/index.html |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=CNN |language=en}} On November 11, 2024, Allen was convicted on all counts.{{Cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Kristine |last2=Wilkins |first2=Ron |last3=Nelson |first3=Sarah |date=November 12, 2024 |title=Richard Allen found guilty in the murders of two teens in Delphi, Indiana. What now? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/11/11/richard-allen-found-guilty-delphi-murders-libby-german-abby-williams/76200751007/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} On December 20, 2024, Judge Gull sentenced Allen to 65 years for the murder of German and 65 years for the murder of Williams, with the terms to be served consecutively, resulting in a total of 130 years in prison.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/20/us/richard-allen-delphi-murders-sentencing.html | title=Indiana Man Sentenced to 130 Years for Killing 2 Teenage Girls | work=The New York Times | date=December 20, 2024 | last1=Correal | first1=Annie }} Allen was then transported to Westville Correctional Facility (and later the Pendleton Correctional Facility), where he is serving his 130-year sentence.{{cite web |title=Judge considers adding attorneys for Richard Allen, who was convicted for killing Abby Williams and Libby German {{!}} Delphi murders case |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/delphi-girls-murdered/state-public-defender-asks-assign-two-attorneys-appeal-richard-allen-delphi-murders-case-indiana-murder-true-crime-news/531-f42b9620-c12b-4bea-836f-09c7de335950 |website=WTHR |access-date=10 January 2025 |date=31 December 2024}}

On April 9, 2025, the Indiana State Police interrogation video and prison confession of Richard Allen were released to the public. In one of the videos, Allen is seen denying the murders the day of his arrest. Another video features eight phone conversations between Allen, his wife, and his mother, where he is heard confessing to the murders. This was the first time the recordings had been made public, though they had previously been heard during Allen's trial for the murders.{{Cite web |last=WNDU. com and Lauren Moss |date=2025-04-09 |title=Newly released videos in Delphi murders case include Richard Allen’s interrogations, confessions |url=https://www.wndu.com/2025/04/09/newly-released-videos-delphi-murders-case-include-richard-allens-interrogations-confessions/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=www.wndu.com |language=en}}https://fox59.com/delphi-trial/you-were-always-free-to-leave-newly-released-video-shows-richard-allens-first-interview-with-police/{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Cierra |date=2025-04-09 |title=Richard Allen interrogation videos, phone call confessions released in Delphi murders |url=https://www.21alivenews.com/2025/04/09/richard-allen-interrogation-videos-released-delphi-murders/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=www.21alivenews.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-08 |title='I killed Abby and Libby' {{!}} 3+ hours of videos released, including Richard Allen's prison confession phone calls, interrogations in Delphi murders |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/delphi-girls-murdered/richard-allen-delphi-girls-murdered-interrogation-arrest-libby-german-abby-williams-indiana-police-confession-verdict-sentence-evidence/531-28da04eb-e275-4967-aa5e-d9a8d0b017cc |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=wthr.com |language=en-US}}

In response to a request from German's mother in 2017, homeowners across central Indiana installed orange lights on their front porches, to commemorate the girls as well as to indicate that the murderer remained at large at that time.{{cite web |url=http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/carroll-county/7-months-after-delphi-murders-orange-lights-still-burn-bright-in-search-for-libby-abbys-killer |title=7 months after Delphi murders orange lights still burn bright in search for Libby and Abby's killer |first=Katie |last=Cox |website=WRTV |date=September 14, 2017 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708095236/https://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/carroll-county/7-months-after-delphi-murders-orange-lights-still-burn-bright-in-search-for-libby-abbys-killer |url-status=live}}

In August 2017, the families announced their plans to build a sports complex for Delphi in memory of the girls.{{cite web |url=http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/carroll-county/delphi-murders-plans-unveiled-for-libby-abby-memorial-park-and-softball-field |title=Delphi Murders: Plans unveiled for Libby & Abby memorial park and softball field |first=Katie |last=Cox |website=WRTV |date=August 26, 2017 |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106152823/https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/carroll-county/delphi-murders-plans-unveiled-for-libby-abby-memorial-park-and-softball-field |url-status=live}} A non-profit organization, L & A Park Foundation, was formed to "celebrate and commemorate the lives of Libby German and Abby Williams by creating a place for the appreciation of nature, art, play, and athleticism for generations to come."{{cite web |title=Nonprofit L & A Park Foundation |url=https://www.guidestar.org/profile/82-3126143 |access-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708013706/https://www.guidestar.org/profile/82-3126143 |url-status=live }} A site was procured a mile north of Delphi, and in the years following the girls' deaths, continued progress has been made in the development of Abby and Libby Memorial Park.{{cite web |title=Abby & Libby Memorial Park |url=http://abbyandlibbymemorialpark.org/ |access-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123031337/https://abbyandlibbymemorialpark.org/ |url-status=live }} In 2020, the L & A Park Foundation was named a recipient of the NBA All-Star 2021 Legacy Grant.{{Cite web|title=NBA All-Star 2021 Host Committee Announces Statewide Legacy Grant Recipients|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/nba-all-star-2021-host-committee-announces-statewide-legacy-grant-recipients|access-date=March 4, 2021|website=Indiana Pacers|language=en|archive-date=November 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106154321/https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/nba-all-star-2021-host-committee-announces-statewide-legacy-grant-recipients|url-status=live}}

The Delphi Community Middle School, which both girls attended at the time of their murders,{{Cite web|title=Delphi murders: Remembering Abby Williams and Libby German|url=https://fox59.com/news/delphi-murders-remembering-abby-williams-and-libby-german|access-date=August 7, 2024|website=Fox59|date=November 2022 |language=en}}/ renamed the school's library to the "Abby and Libby Memorial Library".{{Cite web|title=7 years ago, Abby and Libby's young lives were cut short|url=https://fox59.com/indiana-news/7-years-ago-abby-and-libbys-young-lives-were-cut-short/|access-date=August 7, 2024|website=Fox59|date=February 13, 2024|language=en|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215122930/https://fox59.com/indiana-news/7-years-ago-abby-and-libbys-young-lives-were-cut-short/|url-status=live}}

{{Portal|Law|Indiana}}

• List of murdered American children
• List of solved missing person cases
• Murder of April Tinsley
• Deaths of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon

{{clear}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.in.gov/isp/delphi.htm Delphi Homicide Investigation] – Indiana State Police
• [https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/indianapolis/news/press-releases/information-sought-in-investigation-into-deaths-of-liberty-german-and-abigail-williams Information Sought in Investigation into Deaths of Liberty German and Abigail Williams] – [https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/indianapolis FBI Indianapolis Field Office]
• [https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/unknown-suspect-2 Seeking Information on Unknown Suspect in Indiana Double-Murder Investigation] – Federal Bureau of Investigation

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Abigail and German, Liberty}}

Category:2010s missing person cases

Category:2017 in Indiana

Category:2017 murders in the United States

Category:2020s trials

Category:Child murder in Indiana

Category:Deaths by person in Indiana

Category:Delphi, Indiana

Category:February 2017 crimes in the United States

Category:Female murder victims

Category:Filmed killings in North America

Category:Formerly missing American people

Category:Incidents of violence against girls

Category:Missing person cases in Indiana

Category:Murdered American students

Category:Trials in Indiana

Category:Violence against women in Indiana