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

Jurors wrapped up their third week of serving in the Delphi murder trial today by watching hours of footage of Richard Allen’s mental deterioration in prison throughout 2023. Although the videos were mostly hidden from the public, some media reports reveal details about Allen’s grave condition.

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.

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.

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