5 Shocking New Updates In The Delphi Murders Case: Richard Allen's Appeal And The Odinism Evidence

The Delphi Murders case, which has captivated and haunted the nation since 2017, continues to see dramatic and complex legal developments as of December 12, 2025. The conviction and subsequent 130-year sentencing of local man Richard Allen has not brought the finality many expected, as his defense team has launched a vigorous appeal based on shocking new evidence and theories of ritualistic killings. The focus has now shifted from the initial crime to the intense and highly technical appellate court battles, with the defense seeking to overturn the verdict by introducing evidence that was previously suppressed or overlooked.

This article provides the most current and essential updates on the case involving the tragic deaths of 14-year-old Liberty German and 13-year-old Abigail Williams. The legal proceedings in Carroll County, Indiana, are far from over, with the defense pushing a controversial theory involving an extremist group and the prosecution staunchly defending the conviction based on key pieces of evidence. The public is now getting its first look at hundreds of pages of court exhibits that detail the defense’s controversial claims.

The Convicted: Richard Matthew Allen Biography and Current Legal Status

Richard Matthew Allen, a longtime resident of Delphi, Indiana, was the man arrested and charged in a bombshell development five years after the 2017 murders. His profile was, on the surface, unremarkable, which made his eventual arrest all the more shocking to the small community.

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• Full Name: Richard Matthew Allen.
• Age: 52 (at the time of his sentencing). He was 44 at the time of the 2017 murders.
• Residence: Delphi, Indiana. Public records indicate he had lived at his home, a short drive from the Monon High Bridge trail system, since at least 2011.
• Occupation: He worked as a pharmacy technician at a local CVS store in Delphi.
• Arrest Date: October 26, 2022.
• Charges: Two counts of murder while committing or attempting to commit a kidnapping.
• Conviction & Sentencing: Allen was convicted and, as of December 2025, was sentenced to 130 years in prison—65 years for each count of murder.
• Current Status: Allen is currently incarcerated and is the central figure in a high-stakes appeal process aimed at overturning his conviction.

The Shocking Introduction of Odinism and Ritual Killing Evidence

One of the most dramatic and unexpected turns in the Delphi case came from Richard Allen’s defense team, led by attorneys Andrew Baldwin and Brad Rozzi. They have centered their appeal on the theory that the murders were not the act of a lone individual but were ritualistic killings carried out by members of an extremist group linked to Odinism. This theory has become the primary battleground in the ongoing legal saga.

1. The 1,200 Pages of Newly-Filed Odinism Evidence

In late 2024 and throughout 2025, the court released hundreds of pages of exhibits, including a 1,200-page memorandum filed by the defense. This filing contained evidence that the defense claims links the crime scene to the religious and white nationalist ideology of Odinism.

• The Core Claim: The defense argues that the bodies of Liberty German and Abigail Williams were positioned in a manner consistent with ritualistic sacrifice.
• Symbols and Markings: The memorandum reportedly details symbols and markings allegedly found at the crime scene, which the defense connects to Odinist practices and white supremacist groups.
• The 'Odinist' Suspects: The defense suggests that several individuals linked to this extremist ideology should have been the focus of the investigation, rather than Richard Allen.

2. Richard Allen’s Prison Confession and Mental Health Crisis

Adding to the complexity, Richard Allen reportedly made confessions while incarcerated, which his defense team attributes to a severe deterioration of his mental health due to the stress of the case and the conditions of his confinement. The defense has argued that the environment led to a state where Allen was vulnerable and his statements unreliable.

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The defense has also filed motions arguing that the state failed to protect Allen’s mental state, which became a significant factor in the pre-trial and post-conviction motions. This psychological element is now a key point of contention in the appeal, with attorneys claiming the confession was coerced or a product of a breakdown.

3. The Ongoing Battle Over Forensic Evidence and the Unspent Bullet

While the Odinism theory is sensational, the prosecution’s case against Richard Allen hinged on a single, crucial piece of forensic evidence: an unspent .40-caliber round found near the victims' bodies. This evidence remains a critical focus of the appeal.

The Prosecution’s Core Argument: Investigators linked the shell casing to a firearm owned by Richard Allen, which was recovered from his home during the investigation. This provided the direct physical link between Allen and the crime scene that investigators had sought for years.

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The Defense’s Counter-Argument: Allen’s attorneys have consistently argued that no fingerprint, DNA, or other traditional forensic evidence—such as blood or hair—connects Allen directly to the murder scene or the victims. They contend that the bullet alone is insufficient to support the conviction, especially when weighed against the possibility of other perpetrators suggested by the Odinism evidence.

4. The High-Stakes Appeal and Judicial Extensions in 2025

The legal process has been marked by numerous delays and extensions, underscoring the sheer volume of information involved in the case. As of late 2025, the appeal process is moving forward, albeit slowly.

Richard Allen’s attorneys requested and were granted an extension to file the necessary paperwork for the appeal, citing the massive amount of discovery and evidence they needed to review—a task made more difficult by the new focus on the 1,200 pages of Odinist material. The Indiana Court of Appeals is now tasked with reviewing the complex arguments put forth by both the defense and the prosecution, including the controversial removal of Allen's initial defense attorneys by Judge Fran Gull.

5. The Victims: Liberty German and Abigail Williams

Despite the intense focus on the legal maneuvering, the case remains fundamentally about the tragic loss of two young girls. Liberty "Libby" German and Abigail "Abby" Williams were best friends who were hiking on the Monon High Bridge trail in Delphi, Indiana, on February 13, 2017, when they disappeared. Their bodies were discovered the next day.

The case gained international attention because of a grainy video and audio clip recovered from Libby German’s phone. The footage captured a man known only as "Bridge Guy," who police believe to be Richard Allen, walking toward the girls on the bridge. This audio and video evidence, along with the unspent bullet, were the pillars of the prosecution’s case. The families of Libby and Abby continue to seek justice and finality as the case moves through the protracted and emotionally draining appeal process.