Five years before being charged with killing two middle school students near an Indiana trail, Richard Allen had reached out to authorities about the double murder, claiming he had been in the area the day the girls were killed. This information was mistakenly marked clear in a lead sheet until a volunteer clerk discovered it in 2022, leading to Allen’s arrest. The ongoing trial has revealed details about the February 13, 2017, killings of Liberty German and Abigail Williams.
Allen’s legal team has maintained his innocence, suggesting the killings could have been part of a ritual sacrifice. Witnesses have provided conflicting testimonies, with some placing a man covered in mud and blood near the area where the bodies were found. Despite defense challenges to the timeline and witness accounts, investigators have cited credible information linking Allen to the scene.
The discovery of the lead sheet prompted a revisit to Allen, who reiterated his account of being in the area near the time of the murders. Investigators found a .40 caliber handgun at Allen’s home, matching a bullet found near the victims. Ballistics experts testified about the match, supporting the prosecution’s case against Allen. The trial has highlighted the crucial role of the volunteer clerk in uncovering the overlooked lead and reigniting the investigation into the girls’ murders. The defense continues to raise questions about eyewitness reliability and potential influences on witness recollection. Allen’s alleged connection to the crime remains a focal point of the trial, shedding light on the intricate details of the case.
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