Delphi Murders Trial Could Be Delayed Due To Appeal By Allen's Defense

Source: Allen County Jail / Allen Co. Jail

DELPHI, Ind. — The defense team of Delphi double murder suspect Richard Allen is asking the Indiana Court of Appeals to overturn a recent ruling by the judge overseeing the case

Special Judge Fran Gull decided to prevent Allen’s lawyers from presenting its Odinism theory, as well as other theories about the possible suspects. Gull said they did not produce enough evidence to make such theories admissible.

Gull made the decision last Wednesday that would not let the attorneys present the alternative theory that Abby Williams and Libby German were killed by people in an Odinistic ritual.

“The case law is quite clear that the nexus must not be based on speculation, conjecture, rumors, or hearsay, but rather on admissible evidence,” Gull wrote in her order.

“The defense contends that the Court’s September 4, 2024, order denied Richard Allen’s right to present a defense in violation of the 6th Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the defense said.

Allen’s attorneys have used a rare interlocutory appeal that challenges the ruling, and until the Indiana Court of Appeals responds to their appeal, everything is on hold. It’s not clear how long it will take for the Appeals Court to respond.

The girls died in February 2017 and Allen’s trial is scheduled to start next month.

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