close
close

Delphi Murder Trial: Richard Allen's Confession Demands Wife and Mother in Libby German and Abby Williams Murders

DELPHI, India – On the twelfth day of a harrowing trial, jurors heard telephone confessions from Delphi double murder suspect Richard Allen.

In the calls, Allen can be heard confessing to his wife and mother that he killed Libby German and Abby Williams.

Libby, 14, and her best friend Abby Williams, 13, were walking along a hiking trail in rural Delphi on February 13, 2017, when their throats were slit and they were left in the woods. Their bodies were found the next day.

Richard Allen was arrested more than five years later when police said an unspent cartridge at the crime scene matched Allen's gun.

ALSO READ | The suspect in Delphi's murder reportedly told the psychologist he wanted to apologize to Abby and Libby's families

Jurors in Richard Allen's double murder trial in Delphi, Indiana, heard recorded phone calls Thursday from Allen to his wife and mother.

The girls were found dead with their throats slit near the Monon High Bridge in February 2017. Allen was arrested more than five years later when police said an unexpended cartridge at the crime scene matched Allen's gun.

Thursday morning's testimony focused on seven phone calls Allen made from prison.

They were recorded by prosecution witness Brian Harshman, an Indiana State Police trooper.

Harshman testified that he listened to 700 of Allen's phone calls and monitored his text messages and video chats.

On Wednesday, a clinical psychologist said Allen told her he was startled by something while he was allegedly leading the girls down the hill. Allen said that he forced Abby and Libby over Deer Creek and killed them.

Officer Harshman testified Thursday that Allen was spooked by Brad Weber's van because Weber, who lives near the crime scene, owned a 2000 Ford Econoline van. He said the time it took for Weber to drive home from work was consistent with the time of the murders.

Harshman ended his testimony by telling jurors that after listening to 700 of Allen's calls over and over again, he believes the voice in the “Bridge Guy” video was Allen's.

Defense attorney Brad Rozzi noted that numerous people were suspected of being the man in the video, including Brad Weber. He also pointed out that police never investigated how many vans were registered in Carroll County at the time.

Each of the calls played in court Thursday included confessions to the murder.

ALSO READ | Extended video showing “Bridge Guy” from the victim's phone played in court

Here are some quotes from Allen from those calls:

Richar Allen's phone call with wife Kathy:

Richard: “If this is too much, call the investigators and I’ll tell them what they want.”

Richard: “I just love you so much. If something happens, we’ll see each other in the next life.”

Richard: “I did it. I killed Abby and Libby.”

Kathy: “No, you didn’t.”

Richard: “Yes, I did.”

Kathy: “Why would you say that? I know you didn't do that. Something is wrong here.”

Richard: “I think I may have lost my mind.”

Kathy: “Are you sure you want to speak to me on the phone?”

Richard: “You must know that I did this.”

Kathy: “No, you didn’t. You’re not feeling well.”

Richard: “I need to know if you still love me.”

Kathy: “Yes.” (Cry)

Richard: “Maybe I have to spend the rest of my life here. If I get the electric chair or the death penalty, will you be there for me? I killed Abby and Libby.”

Kathy: “No, you didn’t. Stop it.” (crying)

Richard: “I did it, Kathy. I did it. Do you still love me?”

Kathy: “Yes, I do. But you didn’t.”

Richard: “I don’t want to upset you. I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm doing. I don’t know if I’ve lost my mind.”

Kathy: “Honey, you can’t call me and talk like that.”

Richard: “I'm sorry. I didn't want to do that. I have to kill myself now.”

Kathy: “You have nothing to do with this.”

Richard: “I feel like I’m already in hell. I don’t understand what’s going on.”

Kathy: “Me neither.”