Richard Allen Sentenced to 130 Years for Delphi Murders
- 17GEN4
- Dec 20, 2024
- 2 min read
Delphi, Indiana - December 20, 2024
In a courtroom packed with members of the community, Richard Allen, 52, was sentenced to 130 years in prison for the brutal murders of Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, whose lives were cut tragically short in 2017. The sentencing was handed down by Judge Frances Gull in the Carroll County Courthouse, marking the end of a long and closely watched legal saga.
Allen was convicted last month on four counts related to the deaths of the two teenage girls who vanished during an afternoon hike in Delphi, a small town cast into the national spotlight by this harrowing case. The jury found him guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of felony murder, reflecting the gravity of the crimes committed against the young victims.
The judge, with 27 years of judicial experience, described the crimes as among the most severe she had encountered during her tenure. "The loss of these two young lives has left an indelible scar on this community," Judge Gull remarked before announcing the sentence.
Allen's defense team has indicated plans to appeal the conviction, arguing that critical evidence was withheld from the jury and expressing concerns over the judicial process. They maintain Allen's innocence, suggesting that the confessions he made while in prison were influenced by his mental health at the time.
The sentencing brought relief to many in Delphi, who have lived under the shadow of this tragedy for nearly eight years. "Today, justice has been served for Abby and Libby," said a family member of one of the victims outside the courthouse. However, the sentencing does not close the chapter for everyone; the community continues to grapple with the profound impact of the murders.
The case garnered significant media attention, not only due to the horrific nature of the crime but also because of the extensive investigation that followed, including the release of a video from Libby's phone that captured the voice of the suspect, famously known as "Bridge Guy."
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