Fort Wayne, Ind. — The first day of jury selection concluded at the Allen County courthouse as the trial approaches for Richard Allen, the man accused in the haunting 2017 murders of two young girls from Delphi, Indiana. By Monday evening, 14 jurors, including two alternates, were chosen from a large pool of potentials, progressing toward sealing the final jury composition needed to proceed with the trial.
The court session began early Monday with the questioning of numerous prospective jurors. They were examined regarding any pre-existing knowledge of the case, potential biases, and whether personal schedules could accommodate the expected duration of the trial. Special Judge Francis Gull, together with state attorneys and Allen’s defense team, facilitated this process.
Allen, 52, faces charges of murder and murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping, related to the deaths of Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14. The tragedy shook their small community when the girls were found dead near Monon High Bridge on February 14, 2017, after they had disappeared the previous day.
During the proceedings, Allen, who once worked as a pharmacy technician in Delphi, eschewed the typical orange jail attire for a dress shirt and slacks. Observers noted he occasionally shared a laugh with his attorneys, presenting a calm demeanor amid the grave allegations against him.
It’s important to note that Allen has been a part of the Delphi community, the same as the victims, which adds intricacies to the jury selection, with potential jurors possibly having a connection or prior knowledge of the involved parties. Allen was initially questioned back in 2017 and then again before his arrest in October 2022.
The complexity and high profile of the case required pulling a vast number of potential jurors, with preliminary actions such as the distillation of hundreds of jury summons that had been issued for an originally scheduled trial date in May, which was delayed.
Once the jury panel is complete, the selected members will be transported approximately 100 miles to Carroll County, home of the actual crime scene. They will be accommodated near the courthouse in Delphi for the duration of the trial, where their stay— including meals and activities—will be funded by the county. During the trial, the jurors will be sequestered from personal communication devices and external media to preserve the trial’s integrity.
The expedition in finalizing the jury is significant, given that the selection was anticipated to stretch across three days but might conclude by Tuesday if the remaining two jurors are promptly selected. Additionally, Judge Gull has earmarked approximately four weeks for the trial procedures, indicating the expected comprehensive nature of the judicial examination set to last until mid-November.
The trial is scheduled to open at the Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi this Friday, setting the stage for a closely monitored legal battle over the heart-wrenching case that gripped the nation.
As the community and nation watch closely, this trial may bring some long-awaited answers and closure to the tormenting chapter in the lives of residents in Delphi, and particularly the families of the two young victims.