Richard Allen, a former CVS employee, has been found guilty of murdering two middle school girls, Liberty German and Abigail Williams, in a case that has deeply affected the small town of Delphi, Indiana. The jury reached its verdict after a lengthy four-week trial, during which Allen maintained his innocence against the murder charges stemming from the tragic events of February 13, 2017.
Both girls, aged 13 and 14, were last seen on a hiking trail when prosecutors accused Allen of using “power and fear” to overpower them. He has been labeled as “the bridge guy,” a figure seen in a Snapchat video taken by Liberty on the day of their disappearance. Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland firmly linked Allen to the crime, emphasizing the evidence that pointed to his guilt.
Despite the prosecution’s strong case, including witness testimonies and physical evidence, Allen’s defense argued against these conclusions. His attorney claimed that descriptions given by witnesses did not match Allen and suggested that Allen’s confessions were a result of a mental health crisis during his extended solitary confinement.
The prosecution also presented an unspent shell casing found near the girls’ bodies, which they argued was linked to Allen’s firearm, a claim disputed by the defense. Notably, Allen was not identified as a suspect until new evidence emerged in 2022, allowing authorities to connect him to the case almost five years after the incident.
Allen is set to be sentenced on December 20. The community has reacted with a mixture of relief and ongoing sadness as they process the verdict, with many still grappling with the profound loss of the two young girls.
As this harrowing chapter in Delphi’s history continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and community support in the aftermath of tragedy. The hope is that this verdict can provide some closure to the families affected and the community that has been waiting for answers for so long.