Defense presents its narrative around Richard Allen's mental state, murder investigation

Jurors are wrapping up their third week of serving in the Delphi murder trial today.

Richard Allen, 52, is accused of killing two teens who went missing Feb. 13, 2017, and were found dead the next day. He was arrested in 2022 and faces two counts of murder and two counts of murder while kidnapping in the deaths of Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German .

On Friday morning, the defense team called the executive director of mental health services for the Indiana Department of Correction to the stand. She said Allen arrived at the Westville prison with depression and anxiety disorder, then his isolation in prison aggravated his mental condition.

Defense attorneys also called witnesses who were near the Monon High Bridge trail when the girls went missing, as well the former Carroll County Sheriff, Tobe Leazenby. And Steve Mullin, an investigator for the Carroll County Prosecutor's Office, returned to the stand.

Also on Friday, Special Judge Frances Gull denied another request from the defense team to present evidence related to their theory that Odinists committed the murders as part of a sacrificial ritual.

Journalists from the Indianapolis Star and the Lafayette Journal & Courier continue to cover the case as it moves through the judicial system.

Nov. 1, 2024: Richard Allen was seriously mentally ill while at Westville prison, IDOC psychologist says