Fifty-two-year-old Richard Allen, the prime suspect in the notorious Delphi murders, was found guilty on Monday (November 11). The case dates back to 2017 when two teenagers – 14-year-old Liberty German and 13-year-old Abigail Williams – were murdered in the city of Delphi, Indiana, United States. Allen was accused of murdering two girls, slitting their throats, and leaving their bodies near a trail. The case remained cold for more than five years until his arrest in 2022.
A CNN report said Allen sat expressionless in the courtroom. His sentencing is scheduled for December 20; Till then, the court has issued a gag order banning the parties concerned from speaking on the matter.
Allen could face up to 130 years in prison, the outlet added.
What is the matter?
CNN reports that the murders occurred on February 13, 2017, when Liberty and Abigail went for a walk. The teenagers went missing in the afternoon. Their bodies were found the next day, with their throats slit and partially covered with sticks.
The main suspect was caught from Liberty’s phone, which was circulated among the local people by the police. The video shows a man walking on the bridge with his hands in his pockets.
Allen initially avoided the police by living in the city and working at a local pharmacy. He was eventually arrested on October 26, 2022, and charged with two counts of murder during or attempted kidnapping.
“Odinism” defense
During the trial, Allen maintained his innocence, claiming that the murders were committed by a pagan cult hijacked by white nationalists.
“Members of the pagan Norse religion, known as Odinism, hijacked by white nationalists, ritually sacrificed Abigail Williams and Liberty German,” her lawyers wrote in the documents, The Independent reports.
Their lawyers maintained their stance, even claiming in court that the victims’ bodies were covered with branches and sticks in such a way that they resembled pagan symbols.
The lawyers also named four people and claimed they were involved in Odinism. However, none of these men have ever been named by police as suspects or persons of interest in the case.
