The Richard Allen Case: 5 Shocking New Updates On The Delphi Murders Trial And Appeal (2025)

The conviction of Richard Allen in the tragic 2017 Delphi murders of Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German was a seismic moment in one of America’s most high-profile cold cases. However, the legal saga is far from over. As of December 2025, the case has entered a complex and contentious appeals process, marked by dramatic new filings, revelations about a purported confession, and the defense's controversial theory of ritualistic killings.

The latest updates in the Richard Allen case center on his life after the verdict, the status of his appeal, and the shocking new evidence—including a purported confession and the 'Odinism' defense—that his legal team is using to challenge his 130-year sentence. This article breaks down the most critical, fresh, and unique developments that have emerged throughout 2025, providing a crucial update on the man convicted for the unthinkable crimes on the Monon High Bridge Trail.

Richard Allen: Biography and Key Case Timeline

Richard Allen, a local man from Delphi, Indiana, was a seemingly unremarkable figure whose name was never publicly linked to the 2017 murders until his arrest five years later. His sudden apprehension in 2022 sent shockwaves through the community that had been searching for the killer for half a decade. Here is a brief profile and the critical timeline of events:

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• Full Name: Richard Matthew Allen
• Date of Birth: 1972 (approximately 50 years old at the time of his arrest)
• Hometown/Residence: Delphi, Carroll County, Indiana (resided at 1967 North Whiteman Drive, a short distance from the crime scene)
• Prior to Arrest: Described as a local resident with no known prior criminal record.
• Victims: Abigail "Abby" Williams (13) and Liberty "Libby" German (14)
• Crime Date: February 13, 2017
• Arrest Date: October 2022
• Charges: Two counts of murder
• Conviction Date: October 2024
• Sentence: 130 years in prison (65 years for each count, served consecutively), handed down on December 20, 2024.
• Current Status (as of July 2025): Transferred to The Lexington Assessment and Reception Center, a maximum-security prison in Oklahoma.

The case against Allen was built on a mixture of witness testimony, digital evidence, and, most critically, a single piece of forensic evidence that directly tied him to the crime scene.

The 'Magic Bullet' and The Original Case Against Allen

The initial probable cause affidavit, which was unsealed in late 2022, revealed the critical piece of evidence that led to Richard Allen’s arrest: an unspent bullet.

The Unspent .40 Caliber Round

Investigators discovered a single, unspent .40 caliber round lying on the ground between the bodies of the two victims.

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• Forensic Link: This bullet was forensically linked to a Sig Sauer Model P226 pistol.
• Search Warrant: During a search warrant executed at Allen’s home on October 13, 2022, investigators found a Sig Sauer Model P226 pistol in his possession.
• The Match: Ballistic analysis determined that the unspent round found at the crime scene had been cycled through the specific pistol recovered from Richard Allen's residence.

This "magic bullet" provided the direct, physical link that prosecutors needed to charge Allen, five years after the murders occurred. Additionally, the affidavit noted that Allen had been interviewed by police in 2017, where he admitted to being on the Monon High Bridge Trail that day, though he claimed he only saw the girls and was not involved in their deaths.

5 Shocking Updates on the Richard Allen Case in 2025

The legal battle surrounding Richard Allen has intensified dramatically throughout 2025 as his defense team mounts a vigorous appeal against his conviction. These recent developments are critical for understanding the current state of the case.

1. Defense Files 'Odinism' Evidence in Appeal (November 2025)

One of the most controversial and unique aspects of the defense strategy—the 'Odinism' defense—was formally submitted as new evidence in the appeal process in November 2025.

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• The Theory: Allen's attorneys argue that the murders were not committed by Allen but were ritualistic killings carried out by members of a white nationalist pagan religion known as Odinism.
• The Filing: The defense submitted a massive filing containing alleged evidence of this theory, arguing that law enforcement failed to properly investigate this alternative suspect pool.
• The Impact: This filing is a major component of the appeal, suggesting that Allen was wrongfully convicted and that the true perpetrators—the alleged Odinists—remain free.

2. Newly Released Confession Tapes and Police Interviews (April 2025)

In a significant move in April 2025, a batch of previously sealed evidence was made public, including Richard Allen's confession tapes and police interviews.

• The Confession: Details emerged from the tapes of Allen allegedly confessing to the murders while incarcerated.
• Defense Response: The defense has argued that these statements were coerced or made while Allen was in a compromised mental state due to the harsh conditions of his confinement.
• Public Scrutiny: The release of these exhibits has generated intense public debate and scrutiny over the validity and context of the alleged confession.

3. Allen Transferred to Maximum-Security Prison in Oklahoma (July 2025)

Following his sentencing in December 2024, Richard Allen was moved out of Indiana to a maximum-security prison in Oklahoma: The Lexington Assessment and Reception Center.

• Reason for Transfer: While the specifics are often confidential, high-profile inmates are frequently moved for security reasons, to maintain order within the state's prison system, or due to his attorneys' concerns about his safety and mental health while in custody in Indiana.
• Current Location: As of the second half of 2025, Allen remains in the Oklahoma facility while his appeal proceeds.

4. Attorneys Seek Multiple Extensions for Appeal Brief (Late 2025)

The appellate process has been slow and deliberate, with Richard Allen's attorneys requesting and being granted multiple extensions to file their opening brief with the Indiana Court of Appeals.

• Reason: The defense team has cited the complexity and sheer volume of the case files, including the extensive new evidence and the Odinism theory, as justification for needing more time to construct a thorough legal argument.
• Status: The court has approved additional time, indicating the serious nature of the issues being raised in the appeal.

5. Focus Shifts to Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

A major focus of the appeal is expected to be a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, particularly concerning the handling of the 'Odinism' evidence and other aspects of the pre-trial phase. This line of argument suggests that Allen's original defense team failed to adequately represent him, which could potentially lead to a new trial.

The ongoing appeal ensures that the Richard Allen case will remain a central point of discussion in true crime and legal circles well into the future. The defense's introduction of the Odinism theory, coupled with the release of the confession tapes, guarantees that the narrative of the Delphi murders continues to evolve, even after a conviction has been secured.