Delphi murder trial: Jury sees videos of Richard Allen, accused of killing Libby German and Abby Williams, in Westville prison

DELPHI, India – Jurors in Richard Allen's double murder trial were shown more than a dozen videos of Allen on Saturday while he was being held at the Westville Correctional Facility.

Allen is accused of killing Libby German and Abby Williams while they were walking in Delphi, Indiana, on February 13, 2017.

The state refused to allow the videos to be shown in court, with the defense arguing that only the jury should be allowed to see them because of the “dignity” of the people involved. The defense said the video was explicit in nature.

Judge Frances Gull ruled that the videos could be shown to the jury with the monitor showing the videos facing away from the courtroom gallery where the media and public sat. Allen couldn't even see what was being shown.

SEE ALSO | Delphi murder trial: Suspect was severely mentally ill in Westville prison, IDOC doctor says

The defense shared two pieces of evidence, a camcorder video and a master sheet for the video. The master sheet included the category “Contains Nudity.”

The 10 videos were recorded in April 2023 and did not contain sound.

While watching the videos, reporters in the courtroom noticed one of the jurors raising his eyebrows and looking at Allen. Several jurors took notes. The juror, who has a background as a psychologist, was “extremely interested.”

Allen glanced at his coffee cup every now and then throughout the morning. Libby's family appeared “upset” as the videos played. Libby's grandmother, Becky Patty, had told prosecutor Nick McLeland during a preliminary hearing that people probably wouldn't see those videos showing Allen, but the public would be shown gruesome crime scene and autopsy photos of Libby and Abby.

READ MORE | The charges are rested after the Delphi murder suspect played a confession to his wife in court

Video #10 seemed to evoke the most emotion from those who were able to see it. Defense attorney Jennifer Auger appeared deeply concerned when she saw this. Auger once held her head in her hand, another time covered her mouth, and then finally looked away.

The defense also called Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. He says he played a supportive role and that dozens of law enforcement agencies were initially involved in the investigation. These included the FBI, Homeland Security, US Marshals and ATF.

Carter said the FBI's decision to close the case was made in August 2021. The FBI agents working on the case handed over all of their investigative material.

Carter was on the witness stand for less than 10 minutes.

Five more videos were then shown to the jury before the day came to an end. Again, they were only played for the jury, prosecution and defense. The screen was turned away from the public and media.

Libby's grandmother left the courtroom during recess. She was visibly upset that the videos weren't played publicly while everyone saw the graphic autopsy and crime scene photos of Libby and Abby. Allen's wife Kathy was also missing from the courtroom Saturday.

RELATED | Delphi murder trial: Libby's blood was likely mixed with her tears, expert says