A man convicted of the brutal murders of two teenage girls was sentenced to 130 years in prison on Friday, cementing the conclusion of a case steeped in tragedy and years of investigation. Richard Allen, age 52, has been convicted of killing Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, on February 13, 2017, as they enjoyed a hike near their hometown of Delphi, Indiana.
Allen received the maximum possible sentence from Special Judge Fran Gull, who imposed 65 years for each of the two murder counts, to be served consecutively. The sentencing, which lasted less than two hours, included emotional victim impact statements from six relatives of the girls, highlighting the heartbreak felt within the community.
“The loss of losing Abby is like losing a limb,” said Abby’s grandfather, Eric Erskin, illuminating the deep wounds left by the tragedy. Libby's mother, Carrie Timmons, described her family's anguish, emphasizing, “absolute hell” has been their reality since the girls’ murder.
Richard Allen had been found guilty by a jury on November 11 after years of speculation surrounding the case. The evidence against him was formidable, including his own confessions made multiple times throughout his incarceration. The prosecutors reported he had confessed over 60 times, stating, “I did it. I killed Abby and Libby,” with these claims made during prison phone calls and interviews with law enforcement.
Yet, the defense maintains Allen's innocence, claiming the confessions were coerced and made under extreme mental duress from being held under harsh conditions. Defense attorney Jennifer Auger expressed condolences, saying, “What they went through was unimaginable,” before asserting plans for an appeal for Allen.
The investigation took over five years until it culminated with Allen's arrest on October 2022, about five years and eight months after the girls’ bodies were found near the Monon High Bridge. The girls had been reported missing after being dropped off near the bridge, where they were last seen. Their bodies were discovered the following day, shockingly found with their throats cut. The local community was left reeling from the brutality of the crime.
At the trial, Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland characterized Allen as the “Bridge Guy,” referring to the grainy video taken by Libby’s cellphone which captured him on the trail. This footage provided key evidence, showcasing the last moments of the girls’ lives and illustrating Allen’s alleged actions leading up to the crime.
Prosecutors contended at trial, citing expert testimony linking evidence found at the crime scene — including a bullet and the unspent casing — directly to Allen's gun. The evidence painted the picture of a premediated plan to kidnap and murder the girls.
The defense countered these claims by bringing forth elements of doubt. They highlighted inconsistencies, such as DNA evidence from the scene not matching Allen and the failure of police sketches to closely resemble him. They pointed out these discrepancies to argue for reasonable doubt, emphasizing the possibility of other suspects being involved.
Despite these defenses, the jury’s overwhelming consensus was clear, resulting in Allen’s conviction on multiple counts, including two counts of murder and two counts of murder during attempted kidnapping. The trial captivated not only the small town of Delphi but also true-crime enthusiasts nationwide, who had followed the case closely.
Reflecting on the societal impact of the case, Carroll County Sheriff Tony Liggett proclaimed, “There is zero doubt justice has been served. Today is the day,” echoing sentiments shared by grateful community members who had yearned for resolution after years of uncertainty.
Kathy Shank, the retired state employee credited with mining through investigative notes which led to Allen being named as the suspect, was praised for her diligence. She uncovered records from 2017, connecting Allen to the case after he heard her mention another individual involved with the investigation. “Without her, we would not be here,” said prosecutor Nick McLeland, recognizing Shank's pivotal role.
Gull's courtroom, the site of both the trial and sentencing, had seen emotional testimonies from the victims’ family members, who laid bare the lifelong impacts of their loss. Through tears, they conveyed stories of the girls, their ambitions, and the void forever felt within their families.
Moving forward, Allen will serve his sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction, following evaluation at state processing. His appeals will likely continue to be pursued by defense counsel, maintaining the battle over his conviction is far from concluded.
The tragic tale of Abigail and Liberty serves as a haunting reminder of lost youth, underscoring the desires for justice and closure among their devastated loved ones. The unyielding pursuit for answers may yet continue, even as the final gavel has fallen on Richard Allen's sentence.
Indeed, the resolution of this case brings some comfort, but for many, the pain of what happened on the trails of Delphi will never fully fade.
