Delphi murder trial: Prison staff said Richard Allen confessed to killing Libby German and Abby Williams multiple times

DELPHI, India – Testimony in the double murder trial of Richard Allen was delivered late Tuesday evening.

Prison staff testified about Allen's multiple confessions and his behavior in prison.

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.

Allen was arrested in 2022 and pleaded not guilty to murder.

John Galipeau, a former warden at Westville Correctional Facility, took the stand Tuesday.

Allen was held at the facility for 13 months following his arrest in October 2022.

Allen's lawyers have repeatedly argued that he was treated poorly there and called a “baby murderer.”

Galipeau testified that Allen was allowed to shower three times a week, provided three sets of clothing, had access to tablets and had indoor recreation time five days a week.

It was also revealed that Allen was on suicide watch.

Galipeau told jurors on March 5, 2023 that Allen had written a request for an interview with him.

The request stated that he wanted to confess to killing Abby and Libby.

The written note said: “I am prepared to officially confess to killing Abby and Libby. I hope I get the opportunity to tell the families I’m sorry.”

Galipeau also told jurors that Allen confessed to disposing of a box cutter in the dumpster behind the CVS where he worked in Delphi.

Allen said he worked at CVS since 2013 and at Walmart for 10 years before that.

Galipeau said Allen was quiet during his first month in prison and began behaving “erratically” after receiving mail from his attorneys. He said Allen began washing his face in the toilet, using the toilet in his cell, tearing up mail and eating paper.

Several other Westville correctional officers also testified that Allen confessed to the murders multiple times.

Corrections officer Michael Clemons told jurors he was a “suicide accomplice” to Allen. He was tasked with recording everything Allen said and did during his suicide watch.

Clemons told the court on April 6, 2023 that Allen had confessed to killing the girls.

Clemons said he entered his notes in which Allen said, “I'm so glad no one gave up on me after I killed Abby and Libby.” Clemons said Allen also said, “I, Richard Matthew Allen, killed Abby and Libby alone. Nobody helped me.”

Clemons said Allen also shouted to other inmates, “I'm not crazy, I'm just pretending to be crazy.”

Under cross-examination, Clemons testified that he never thought Allen's behavior was genuine.

Defense attorney Brad Rozzi asked Clemons, “Can prison affect a man?” Clemons admitted, “Yes, it can.”

Correctional Officer Ethan Drang also took the stand and told the jury that Allen confessed to him on April 5, 2023.

Drang said Allen told him, “I think going to prison cured me of my depression and anxiety.”

Correctional Officer Michael Roberts was also Allen's suicide companion.

Roberts had a detailed transcript of the confessions he claimed to have heard.

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On April 7, 2023, at 12:34 p.m., Roberts wrote to Allen: “Dear Lord, forgive me for abusing Abby, Libby, Kevin and Chris. I want to confess. I know a lot more.”

On April 23, 2023, Roberts wrote in his transcript that at 2:00 p.m. Allen said, “I killed Abby.” & Libby. My wife was not involved. I want to confess.

Then on April 26, 2023, Roberts wrote that Allen said, “Can I talk? Can you listen, I killed Abby.” & Libby? How do I prove I'm crazy?

On June 18, 2023, Roberts recorded that at 3:30 p.m. Allen said, “Why are you doing this? Do you know God? Do you know why I'm here? I killed Abby and Libby.”

Roberts said he saw outrageous acts of misconduct to get the attention of guards who were watching. He went on to say that he believed Allen was not only in a mental health crisis, but that he had behaved badly.

Under cross-examination, Roberts was pressed about Allen's behavior behind bars. Defense attorney Brad Rozzi asked if Roberts had any formal mental health training, to which Roberts only replied what the state provided.

Roberts revealed that Allen began smearing his cell with feces and smearing it on his face.

Roberts also testified that he remembered Allen once banging his head against the wall for a long time, causing his face to turn black and blue.

He also told the court that at certain points Allen would refuse to eat for extended periods of time.

Roberts admitted that some of Allen's “suicide companions” returned to the general population at the prison and spread information about the murder suspect.

Correctional Officer John Miller also testified; Allen expressed his desire to “burn in hell” while confessing to the murders.

Miller testified that Allen said he molested his sister and may have even touched his daughter.

Miller testified that Allen had an erection as he talked about all of this.

As Miller testified Tuesday, Allen's mouth was wide open and his eyes appeared surprised by the comments.

Miller continued that on April 9, 2023, at 6:56 a.m., Allen said, “I only killed her to give my family more time to be free.” Then at 7:58 a.m., Allen said, “It does “I’m sorry I killed those kids… Maybe I touched my daughter, I can’t remember.”

The jury asked Miller whether it was normal to behave like Allen while refusing medication. Miller replied, “It’s possible.”

Correctional Officer Brandon Fisher testified that on April 29, 2023, Allen not only confessed to the murders, but also revealed some details about the incident.

Fisher said Allen wanted to rape the girls, but he panicked and ended up killing them. Allen allegedly told Fisher that he killed the girls with a box cutter and threw it in a dumpster behind CVS.

After 13 months, Allen was transferred to the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Westville. Jason Bedwell, a correctional officer there, was called to the stand.

When Bedwell testified on February 4, 2024, Allen again confessed to the murders while crying and talking to himself. Bedwell said: “I’m sorry for what I did. I’m sorry I killed her.”

The court is scheduled to continue with the 11th day of the double murder trial on Wednesday.

Also Monday, Indiana State Police forensic scientist Stacy Bozinovski said there was no DNA linking Allen to the crime scene in Delphi, Indiana.

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