A 12-person jury has delivered a guilty verdict for Richard Allen in the deaths of Indiana teenagers, who disappeared whilst hiking in Delphi in 2017.
After approximately 19 hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Allen, aged 52, on four counts, including two of murder and two of murder during kidnapping . He faces a potential 130-year prison sentence on December 20.
The former drugstore worker remained stoic during the verdict announcement, briefly looking towards his family members.
The prosecution team embraced upon hearing the decision, while defence counsel consoled Allen before his removal from court in handcuffs, as reported by 13 News WTHR.
Kathy Allen , the defendant's wife, said to reporters whilst leaving court, "this isn't over at all", suggesting a possible appeal. Crowds outside the courthouse erupted in celebration upon learning of Allen's conviction.
Becky Patty, Libby's grandmother, was seen weeping and embracing family members as they departed the courthouse.
According to Indiana State Police spokesman capt Ron Galaviz, the existing gag order remains effective until after Allen's sentencing.
The defence team left the courthouse without providing comments.
During the four-week trial, prosecutors alleged that Allen killed teenagers by cutting their throats whilst they were walking on the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, north of Indianapolis, on February 13, 2017.
The defence maintained Allen's innocence, arguing insufficient evidence for conviction.
The jury, comprising seven women and five men, started deliberations on Thursday following closing arguments. Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland urged jurors to consider Allen's multiple confessions to his wife, both verbally and in writing.
A recording played to the jury captured Allen stating: "I did it. I killed Abby and Libby ."
The defence presented expert testimony, including a psychologist, suggesting Allen's mental state was compromised during his confessions due to 13 months in solitary confinement following his October 26, 2022 arrest.
Defence lawyer Bradley Rozzi emphasised his client's innocence, noting the absence of fingerprints, DNA, or forensic evidence linking Allen to the murders. He also highlighted that no witnesses identified Allen as the person seen on the trail when the girls vanished.
The jury viewed mobile phone footage recorded by one of the girls showing an unidentified man saying, "Down the hill," before their disappearance near the abandoned railway bridge.
After approximately 19 hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Allen, aged 52, on four counts, including two of murder and two of murder during kidnapping . He faces a potential 130-year prison sentence on December 20.
The former drugstore worker remained stoic during the verdict announcement, briefly looking towards his family members.
The prosecution team embraced upon hearing the decision, while defence counsel consoled Allen before his removal from court in handcuffs, as reported by 13 News WTHR.
Kathy Allen , the defendant's wife, said to reporters whilst leaving court, "this isn't over at all", suggesting a possible appeal. Crowds outside the courthouse erupted in celebration upon learning of Allen's conviction.
Becky Patty, Libby's grandmother, was seen weeping and embracing family members as they departed the courthouse.
According to Indiana State Police spokesman capt Ron Galaviz, the existing gag order remains effective until after Allen's sentencing.
The defence team left the courthouse without providing comments.
During the four-week trial, prosecutors alleged that Allen killed teenagers by cutting their throats whilst they were walking on the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, north of Indianapolis, on February 13, 2017.
The defence maintained Allen's innocence, arguing insufficient evidence for conviction.
The jury, comprising seven women and five men, started deliberations on Thursday following closing arguments. Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland urged jurors to consider Allen's multiple confessions to his wife, both verbally and in writing.
A recording played to the jury captured Allen stating: "I did it. I killed Abby and Libby ."
The defence presented expert testimony, including a psychologist, suggesting Allen's mental state was compromised during his confessions due to 13 months in solitary confinement following his October 26, 2022 arrest.
Defence lawyer Bradley Rozzi emphasised his client's innocence, noting the absence of fingerprints, DNA, or forensic evidence linking Allen to the murders. He also highlighted that no witnesses identified Allen as the person seen on the trail when the girls vanished.
The jury viewed mobile phone footage recorded by one of the girls showing an unidentified man saying, "Down the hill," before their disappearance near the abandoned railway bridge.
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