Have you kept up with developments in the Delphi Murders over the years like I have? There is an explosive Abby Williams and Libby German update today. The families of Abby and Libby can hopefully rest easier knowing that police have arrested Richard Allen and booked him into the Carroll County, Indiana jail. Authorities held a press conference this morning, October 31, 2022, and it was a shining example of compassionate police work and a focused plan from the prosecutor.
The press conference was held in the same church where one of the first appeals to the public for tips was held just days after the murders. You could see a banner with the name of Jesus in the background, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of how much I need to lean on Him when I’m doing the work that I do as a private investigator. Seeing what humans are capable of doing to each other can be overwhelming indeed.
A visibly moved Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter was the first to speak on the case. He thanked media outlets for keeping the case in the public eye. He thanked all law enforcement officers involved as well as lab techs, and reminded everyone that they were still investigating.
He mentioned a possibility that someone else might be involved, but could only give limited information on evidence. That’s because the probable cause affidavit that police gave to the court so that they could arrest Richard Alled was sealed by that court. Police can arrest people who commit an offense in their presence. Otherwise they need to give a sworn affidavit to a judge showing that they have enough evidence to support an arrest. If the judge agrees, that judge then issues an arrest warrant.
The prosecutor took the unusual step of having that affidavit sealed, so as to not risk jeopardizing the prosecution of Abby and Libby’s presumed killer. Superintendent Carter reminded everyone that Richard Allen is presumed innocent. He urged people to continue to provide information if they know anything at all about the case.
I was very impressed with Superintendent Carter. He let his emotions show, and it was clear that he had a personal stake in finding justice for Libby and Abby. His compassion for the girls’ families was also evident. We need more law enforcement leaders like Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter.
Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby spoke next. He talked about God providing justice for Abby and Libby. He thanked the public for their tips, their notes of encouragement, and their prayers. He was another law enforcement leader who others should model themselves on.
Nicholas McLeland, Carroll County prosecutor, addressed the media next. He thanked Superintendent Carter and Sheriff Leazenby, as well as the task force who worked so tirelessly on Abby and Libby’s case. He confirmed that Richard Allen had been arrested and charged with two counts of murder. He’s a member of the Delphi community, which has to be very unsettling to residents there. Allen is being held without bond. McLeland also asked for continued tips on Richard Allen or any other individual who might be involved. That’s a very intriguing statement to me.
McLeland said that today was a day to focus on Abby and Libby, no doubt anticipating the media’s understandable frustration at not being able to get answers about the alleged evidence against Richard Allen. He acknowledged that frustration, and noted that there will be a hearing to see if the probable cause affidavit should remain sealed.
It’s a delicate balance to get right. The media helped keep Abby and Libby’s case in people’s minds and hearts and undoubtedly prompted some of the tips that came in. But now that an arrest has been made, the focus must shift to protecting the suspect’s rights and the evidence to avoid problems at trial or, if the suspect is convicted, during the appeals process. That’s so frustrating, but I’m glad that they are being cautious and wanting to do everything just as it should be done. Abby and Libby and their families deserve that. All families deserve that.
A couple of months ago I asked my podcast listeners if they could solve any unsolved case, what case would they choose? One of the responses was the Delphi murders. You can listen to the podcast that includes Libby and Abby’s case here. Having their case mentioned by listeners meant a lot to me because I’m originally from central Indiana. I’ve been to Delphi many times and had family that lived nearby. It’s a small town a lot like the one I grew up in. And evil can happen there, just like it can where you live.
That’s why I’ve released a handbook filled with safety tips and Scriptural encouragement to not live in fear. It’s available on Amazon, and contains over 100 tips that can increase your personal safety, your family’s safety, and your community’s safety. It took dozens if not hundreds of people to make the arrest of Richard Allen possible, just like it takes all of us working together to make the people we care about as safe as we can.
Richard Allen being arrested in connection with the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German is just the start of a long road to trial. Even though Carroll County prosecutor Nicholas McLeland noted that a date for Allen’s next hearing has been set and a trial date picked, we know that there will be motions filed that will undoubtedly delay the case as it proceeds. An arrest was just one step on the long road to justice. Pray for the families as they continue to mourn the loss of Abby and Libby and wait for the truth of what happened that February day in 2017 to be brought into the light.
If you know anything at all about the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German, please contact authorities at:
Email: [email protected]
Tip Line: (765) 822-3535