14 of 16 jurors chosen in Delphi murders trial; selection resumes Tuesday

Ron Wilkins
Lafayette Journal & Courier
Published 6:42 p. m. ET Oct. 14, 2024 | Updated 7:08 p. m. ET Oct. 14, 2024

FORT WAYNE, Ind. ― Twelve jurors and two alternatives are chosen, leaving two more alternate jurors to pick Tuesday morning when Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen's trial resumes in Allen County.

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Prosecutors charged Allen with two counts of murder while kidnapping and two counts of murder in 2022. They say Allen forced Delphi teenagers Libby German and Abby Williams off the trails east of Delphi. He led them to the north bank of the Deer Creek, where prosecutors say he killed the girls. … Mini opening statements to the potential jurors gave glimpses into the prosecution's case, as well as insight into Allen's possible defense.

“Abby and Libby decided to go to the trails, especially the Monon High Bridge," Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland said in his mini opening statement, describing the abandoned railroad bridge 60 feet above Deer Creek as an adventure or a daring thing to walk across.

On Feb. 13, 2017, the girls were alone. But in reality, Allen was there, McLeland said, following the girls onto the railroad ties, forcing them to the far side of the bridge…. “His intent was to have his way with them," McLeland said, saying Allen forced the girls "down the hill" then forded the creek to the north side, where he killed them.

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