TGF 048 The Delphi Murders: Uncovered

On February 13, 2017, two best friends went for a walk on the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana.
By the next day, their bodies were found — and a haunting mystery began.In this Uncovered episode, Brian delivers a methodical, fact-based breakdown of one of the most heartbreaking and puzzling cases in recent true crime history: the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.No speculation. No conspiracy. Just the timeline, the evidence, and the roadblocks that have made this case linger for more than half a decade in the public eye.

🔎 In this episode, Brian covers:

• A detailed timeline of Abby and Libby’s final day
• The discovery of their bodies and the official cause of death (what's been released — and what hasn’t)
• The audio and video recovered from Libby’s phone — including the now-infamous “Guys... down the hill” clip
• The evolution of police sketches and why two different versions were released
• The arrest of Richard Allen and what’s currently known about the charges, affidavit, and investigation
• The role of leaked evidence, public scrutiny, and courtroom controversy
• Insight into standard investigative procedures, missteps, and the burden of public pressure on law enforcement

With a background in law enforcement and case analysis, Brian brings clarity to a case clouded by confusion, secrecy, and media frenzy.This is your foundation.
This is the story before the speculation.
This is The Guilty Files: Uncovered.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:05):
Thank you, bog In. Welcome back to The Guilty Files,
the podcast where every case gets a second look, a
deeper dive, and two distinct takes that keep you coming
back for more. I'm your host, Brian, and I'm here
to bring you the unfiltered, no nonsense breakdown of this
week's crime. A little about me, I've spent sixteen years

(00:28):
in law enforcement, with ten of those years pounding the
pavement as a beat cop in the streets of Atlanta.
I've seen crime up close, the chaos, the aftermath, and
the cold, hard truths that never make the headlines. That's
why my focus is simple. I'll take you through the
facts of the case step by step with nothing left

(00:49):
to speculation. But that's only half of what we do here.
My co host Danny is your guide to the other
side of the story. He dives into the untold possibility,
uncovers hidden motives, and imagines the what ifs that make
you question everything you thought you knew. Together, we bring
you two unique perspectives on every case, because in true crime,

(01:11):
the truth is rarely as simple as it seems. Every
week we promise you this two cops, one crime, two
stories told. If you're a fan of the details, the drama,
and the darker side of human nature. You're in for
a ride, So grab your headphones, lock the door, and
let's get into the Guilty Files, where every case comes

(01:32):
with a twist and the truth is just the beginning.
February thirteenth, twenty seventeen, dawned unseasonably warm in Delphi, Indiana,
a small town of fewer than three thousand residents nestled
in Carroll County. It was President's Day and schools were

(01:53):
closed for the holiday weekend. The temperature climbed to nearly
fifty degrees, a gift of winter sunshine at beckon children
outdoors after days of cold weather. For most families in
this close knit community, it would be just another pleasant
day off. But for two families, this Monday would mark
the beginning of an eight year journey through unimaginable grief,

(02:15):
relentless investigation, and ultimately a quest for justice that would
captivate the nation. The story that unfolded that day would
test the bonds of a small community, challenge the limits
of modern forensic investigation, and demonstrate the power of technology
in the hands of a brave teenager. It would also
reveal how one moment of heroic thinking could provide the

(02:37):
crucial evidence needed to solve one of Indiana's most notorious crimes.
This is the story of Abigail Williams and Liberty German,
two best friends whose final hours would be recorded, creating
a chilling piece of evidence that would eventually lead to
their killer. This is the story of Bridge Guy, a
shadow we figure captured on cell phone video whose identity

(02:59):
would remain a mystery for over five years. And this
is the story of how justice, though delayed, finally came
to the small town who needed it so badly. Abigail
Joyce Williams was born on June twenty third, two thousand
and three, in saw Saint Marie, Michigan to her mother,
Anna Williams, but her family and friends called her Abby.

(03:21):
From her earliest years, Abbey possessed an artistic soul that
shone through everything she did. She was a creative spirit
who found beauty in the world around her and had
the talent to capture it through various artistic mediums. Abby
was an eighth grader at Delphi Community Middle School, where
she played saxophone in the band and was on the
volleyball team. Her musical talents were evident to everyone who

(03:44):
heard her play, and she took pride in her contributions
to the school band. Sports came naturally to her as well,
and her teammates knew they could count on her positive
attitude and dedication on the volleyball court. She enjoyed art
and photography, drawing in and creating little masterpieces, which were
displayed in her home. Abbey's artistic vision extended beyond simple drawings.

(04:07):
She had an eye for capturing moments through photography, a
passion she shared with her best friend Libby. Her family
treasured the artwork she created, displaying her pieces throughout their
home as proud reminders of her talent and creativity. She
was an avid reader. Teachers at Delphi Community Middle School
knew Abbey as a dedicated student who genuinely loved learning.

(04:30):
Outside of school, she enjoyed camping, swimming, outdoor activities, writing ATVs,
and camping trips to Michigan. Family camping trips to Michigan
were special times that created lasting memories, and Abbey's enthusiasm
for outdoor adventures was infectious to those around her. She
loved animals, especially her cat, Bongo Bongo followed her around

(04:52):
the house and slept on her bed every night. She
and her good friend Libby were looking forward to planning
their next four years of school together. The two girls
had already started talking about high school classes and which
activities they might join. Abby lived with her mother, Anna Williams,
and was particularly close to her maternal grandparents, Diane and
Eric Erskine. She spent weekends at her grandparents' house and

(05:15):
called them almost daily. Liberty rose Lynn Jermyn was born
on December twenty seventh, two thousand and two, but everyone
called her Libby. Libby was the one who organized group
activities and made sure everyone was included. Libby was raised
by her grandparents, Becky and Mike Patty, who described her
as adventurous, intelligent, and calm. Libby had a way of

(05:38):
staying focused when others panicked. Like Abby, Libby was a
student at Delphi Community Middle School, where she was known
for her intelligence and leadership qualities. Teachers noticed that other
students often came to Libby for help with problems. Libby
had an older sister, Kelsey German, who played an important
role in her life. Kelsey drove Libby places and helped

(06:00):
her with homework when needed. The friendship between Abbey and
Libby had lasted since elementary school. They were more than
just best friends. They planned everything together and rarely argued.
Both girls shared a love of outdoor activities, particularly hiking
on the trails around Delphi. The Delphi Historic Trail system
offered scenic views and quiet woods where they could talk

(06:23):
without interruption. They knew most of the trail system by heart.
Their shared interests extended beyond outdoor activities. Both were involved
in school sports and academic pursuits, often studying together and
supporting each other through the typical challenges of middle school life.
Abbey helped Libby with art projects, while Libby helped Abbey

(06:43):
with math homework. The girls' families had become close through
their daughter's friendship. This wasn't just a casual friendship that
might fade over time. The two families often had dinner
together and went on joint camping trips. Their friendship was
built on loyalty, shared adventures, and mutual support. They confided
in each other about everything. February thirteenth, twenty seventeen, started

(07:08):
as a typical President's Day holiday for the Williams and
German families. The temperature had climbed to nearly fifty degrees,
unusual for February in Indiana. For two teenagers who loved
outdoor photography and adventure, the warm weather was too good
to pass up. The Delphi Historic Trails, particularly the area

(07:28):
around the old Monon high Bridge, offered some of the
most scenic views in the area. The historic railroad bridge
had been abandoned since nineteen twenty nine and had become
a popular destination for hikers and photographers. The decision to
visit the trails wasn't unusual for Abbey and Libby. This
was familiar territory for them, a place where they felt

(07:49):
safe and comfortable. At one thirty five pm on February thirteenth,
twenty and seventeen, thirteen year old Abbey and fourteen year
old Libby were dropped off by Libby's older sister, Kelsey German,
on County Road three hundred, north east of the Hoosier
Heartland Highway. Kelsey had agreed to drive the girls to
the trailhead, a routine favor that seemed completely ordinary at

(08:12):
the time. The plan was simple. The girls would spend
a few hours hiking, taking photographs and enjoying the warm weather.
They would meet Libby's father later in the afternoon for
pick up. At three point fifteen pm, as Kelsey drove away,
leaving her sister an abbey at the trailhead, she had
no reason to worry. This was del Phi, a small

(08:34):
town where serious crimes were rare, The trails were familiar
territory for the girls, and they were experienced hikers. Everything
about the day seemed routine. The girls were hiking on
the moaning high Bridge over Deer Creek among woodland in
remote Deer Creek Township. The mon in high Bridge was
the highlight of the trail system, a dramatic railroad trestle

(08:55):
that offered views of the creek below and the surrounding countryside.
The bridge itself was an imposing structure, approximately sixty to
seventy feet above the creek below. As Indiana State Police
Superintendent Doug Carter later said during a press conference on
April twenty second, twenty nineteen, I've walked across the high

(09:15):
bridge myself. It's sixty five to seventy feet off the
river deck. It hasn't had a train on it since
nineteen twenty nine. The ties are starting to rot. It
sways back and forth, and it's not something you can
just jump on and walk straight across if you've never
done it before. Despite its deteriorated condition, the bridge had
become popular with adventurous hikers and photographers. Local teenagers, including

(09:40):
Abby and Libby, were familiar with the bridge and comfortable
crossing it. The view from the bridge made the careful
walk across the aging railroad ties worthwhile. The girls brought
their smartphones to document their adventure. At one thirty eight
pm and forty nine seconds, Libby placed a phone call
to Daddyo, her father, to confirm their pickup time. This

(10:03):
call was routine family communication. At one thirty nine pm
and eight seconds, Libby's phone showed it was charging, and
the call to her father ended at one thirty nine
pm and twenty four seconds. The girls then began documenting
their adventure through various social media posts. At one thirty
nine pm and thirty seconds, there was a second interaction

(10:24):
with a messaging app, followed by Snapchat viewing at one
thirty nine pm and forty five seconds. At one forty
one pm and forty four seconds, Libby posted a picture
to Snapchat. Minutes later, at one forty one pm, Libby
took multiple selfie snaps which showed Abby in the background.
At one forty three pm and forty nine seconds, she

(10:47):
posted another picture of the girls to Snapchat. These photos
and social media posts painted a picture of two friends
enjoying a perfect winter day, relaxed, happy, and completely unaware
that danger was approaching. The images they captured would later
serve as heartbreaking reminders of their final hours of innocence
and joy. At two five pm and twenty seconds, Libby

(11:10):
posted a Snapchat picture of the bridge with no people
on it. At two seven pm and twenty seconds, this
was the last time her phone was unlocked. The photo
showed Abby walking along the bridge, captured in a moment
that would later become one of the most widely circulated
photographs in the case. What the girls didn't realize was
that they were no longer alone on the bridge. At

(11:33):
two thirteen pm and fifty seven seconds, a video was
recorded that was forty three seconds long. This timestamp would
become crucial evidence. Libby began recording after she spotted a
man trailing behind her at the south end of the bridge.
Libby's decision to begin recording showed remarkable presence of mind
for a fourteen year old. In the video, Abby is

(11:55):
seen walking along the bridge with the man walking closely
behind her. At this point, Abby can be heard saying
something to Libby, referencing the man walking behind her. Soon after,
she says something that can be interpreted as don't leave me.
Carol County Sheriff Tony Liggett, who was the lead investigator
at the time of the murders, later told trial jurors

(12:16):
that in the video he heard Abby say to Libby,
is he right here? Don't leave me up here. The
full forty three second video reveals the girl's growing fear
as they realized they were being followed. Libby can be
heard sniffling as she points the camera towards Abby, who
is being followed by what would later be called bridge Guy.
Abby whispers at the camera is he before her voice

(12:39):
becomes inaudible. The girls appeared to be in silent panic.
Libby turns the camera and walks ahead, while Abby says
something else, also inaudible. The girls hurry off the bridge,
with Abby walking in front of Libby, who points her
phone toward the ground. Then, at around thirty eight seconds
into the video, a man's voice can be heard say

(13:00):
the words guys down the hill. These four words, guys
down the hill would become famous and chilling audio evidence
the command was clear and threatening. The man was ordering
the girls off the bridge and into the woods below.
At two fourteen pm and forty one seconds, Libby tried
to unlock her phone with her fingerprint. The phone likely

(13:23):
died at two thirty two pm and twenty six seconds,
and the screen was off by two thirty three pm.
Data from the Apple Health app showed that the last
time the phone logged movement was at two thirty two
pm and thirty nine seconds on February thirteenth, twenty seventeen.
In those final nineteen minutes after the video was recorded,

(13:43):
the unthinkable happened. After this incident, the girls were not
heard from again. The pickup time of three point fifteen
pm came and went with no sign of the girls.
For parents in a small town like del Phi, teenagers
being a little late wasn't unusual, but as the minutes
turned into hours, concern began to grow. At four h

(14:04):
six pm, Libby's phone received an SMS message from Becky Patty,
Libby's grandmother, saying you need to call me now, with
several exclamation points. When Libby's grandmother tried to reach her,
the call went straight to voicemail. Calls to Libby's cell
phone went unanswered and eventually straight to voicemail. The families
initially searched for the girls themselves before calling the police.

(14:27):
This initial response was typical for close knit families in
small communities, the assumption that the girls had simply gotten
lost or were having phone troubles when they were still
missing later that afternoon, family members contacted the sheriff's department
for help. Authorities searching the area did not initially suspect
foul play in the disappearance. Sheriff Lesenby told WRTV that

(14:50):
evening that they had no reason to believe the girls
were in danger. At the time, CRUs thought the girls
had simply gotten lost on the trails and were unable
to find their way back. Throughout the evening, dozens of
volunteers joined the search for the girls. The Delphi community
responded immediately to the crisis, with neighbors, friends, and strangers
all volunteering to help search for Abbey and Libby. This

(15:14):
community response exemplified the tight knit nature of small town, Indiana,
where everyone looks out for each other's children. As the
sun went down and the temperature dropped, The search continued
through midnight, when it was officially suspended, although some family
and friends did continue to search into the overnight hours.
The decision to suspend the official search was made reluctantly,

(15:36):
as darkness and cold temperatures made continued searching dangerous for
the volunteers. The search for Libby and Abbey resumed on
Valentine's Day morning, February fourteenth, twenty seventeen. Crews widened the
scope of their search as soon as the sun came up,
wandering further from the abandoned railroad tracks and into wooded
areas below the bridge and along Deer Creek. The official

(16:00):
church had barely resumed when one of the search teams
made a gruesome discovery around noon. The bodies of Libby
and Abbey were found on the back end of a
private piece of property, less than a mile from where
they were dropped off the day before. The discovery shattered
the community's hope that this would be a story with
a happy ending. The discovery of the girl's bodies sent

(16:20):
shockwaves through Delphi, the town known for its close knit
community and safe environment, now faced the reality of a
double homicide. The bodies were discovered near the Monon high
Bridge Trail, part of the Delphi Historic Trails, from where
the girls disappeared the previous day. The crime scene was
approximately half a mile east of the abandoned Monon high Bridge,

(16:43):
in a wooded area along Deer Creek. Law enforcement made
the decision early on to withhold specific details about the
crime scene to protect the integrity of the investigation and
to ensure that only the perpetrator would know certain crucial
facts about the murders. However, the horrific details would eventually
be revealed during the trial proceedings. Years later. When prosecutors

(17:05):
finally presented the evidence in court, the brutal nature of
the crimes became clear. The girls had been murdered in
what Indiana State Police Lieutenant Jerry Holman called a brutal crime,
telling the judge that Abby and Libby were stalked, kidnapped, humiliated,
and treated like animals. The crime scene revealed disturbing details
about the girl's final moments. Prosecutor Nick maclaland told the

(17:29):
jury that when searchers found the two girls, dead in
the wooded area. Libby was found naked and covered in blood,
while Abbey was found fully clothed but wearing Libby's clothing.
The positioning and state of their clothing suggested the killer
had redressed one victim in the other's clothes, adding a
particularly disturbing element to the crime. Both girls had suffered

(17:50):
fatal wounds to their throats. Semi retired forensic pathologist doctor
Rowland Core, who had performed more than seven thousand, seven
hundred post mortem exams aminations during his extensive career, conducted
both girls' autopsies. His testimony revealed the savage nature of
the attack. Doctor Corr testified that Abbey sustained a fatal

(18:11):
two inch laceration that severed the teen's jugular vein, causing
her to bleed to death. The wound was precise and deep,
indicating the use of a sharp weapon, likely a knife.
Libby's injuries were even more severe. She suffered no less
than four overlapping cuts to the neck, two of which
would have proven deadly on their own. The multiple wounds

(18:34):
suggested a frenzied attack, with the killer continuing to cut
even after inflicting fatal injuries. The overlapping nature of the
cuts indicated that Libby may have struggled or moved during
the attack, causing the killer to strike multiple times. The
records revealed that investigators believed a knife was used in
the killings, though the murder weapon was never recovered. The

(18:57):
precision and depth of the cuts suggested the killer used
a substantial blade, possibly a hunting knife or similar weapon.
The positioning of the bodies also provided clues about the crime.
Libby's phone was discovered underneath Abbey's body, suggesting that in
her final moments, Abby had somehow managed to conceal the
crucial evidence that would eventually lead to their killer's conviction.

(19:20):
This act of presence of mind even as she was dying,
demonstrated remarkable courage and may have been deliberately done to
preserve the evidence Libby had captured. An unspent forty caliber
bullet was discovered between the bodies. This bullet would become
one of the most crucial pieces of physical evidence in
the case, though its significance wouldn't be fully understood for

(19:41):
over five years. The most important evidence, however, came from
Libby's phone. Investigators found Libby's phone underneath Abbey's body. The
phone contained not only the crucial video and audio evidence
of the killer, but also a timeline of the girl's
final hours. The Delphi Police Department alone, along with the
Indiana State Police and the FBI, launched an intense investigation

(20:04):
to find the person responsible for the crime. Stay tuned
for more of the guilty files. We'll be right back
After these messages, the case quickly became one of the
highest priority investigations in Indiana. A few days after the
discovery of the bodies, law enforcement made a crucial decision.

(20:25):
The person in the photograph from Libby's video, dubbed the
Bridge Guy, was named the prime suspect in the double homicide.
The investigation team made the crucial decision to release both
the image and audio evidence to the public, hoping that
someone would recognize the suspect. On February twenty second, law
enforcement released the audio recording, during which the voice of

(20:47):
the suspect, although muffled, is heard to say down the hill.
Law enforcement officials credited the source of the audio and
imagery to Libby's smartphone, and further regarded her as a
hero for having had the presence of mind and fortitude
to secretly record the exchange. Police indicated that additional evidence
from the phone had been secured, but would not release

(21:09):
further details so as not to compromise any future trial.
By this time, the reward offered in the case was
set at forty one thousand dollars. On July seventeenth, police
distributed a composite sketch of someone sought as a person
of prime interest in the murders. The sketch was apparently
created from eyewitness accounts of a hiker on the Delphi

(21:30):
Historic Trails the day the girls vanished. This first sketch
depicted a man with a cap in what appeared to
be a fuller face than the person who would eventually
be arrested. For nearly two years, this sketch guided the
investigation and was widely circulated throughout Indiana and beyond. Thousands
of tips poured in from people who thought they recognized

(21:51):
the man in the sketch, but none led to the
breakthrough investigators desperately needed. The investigation faced immediate challenges, as
in Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter noted the fact
that the killer was able to navigate the deteriorating bridge
suggested local knowledge or previous experience with the trails. Carter said,

(22:11):
I decided I was going to take the riverbank going back.
I didn't. That wasn't the first time he's been on
that high bridge, my opinion. Again, that's my opinion. I
experienced it, and I kept a piece of the high bridge,
and I'll carry it with me until we find out
who this is. This observation would prove important. The killer
was clearly familiar with the bridge and the area, suggesting

(22:34):
local knowledge or previous experience with the trails. The investigation
quickly expanded beyond local resources. The Delphi Police Department, along
with the Indiana State Police and the FBI, launched an
intense investigation to find the person responsible for the heinous crime.
The case quickly became one of the highest priority investigations

(22:55):
in Indiana, with multiple agencies contributing resources and expertise. The
investigation was massive. By June sixteenth, twenty seventeen, police had
received eighteen thousand tips. Every tip was cataloged and investigated,
creating an enormous database of potential leads and suspects. Over

(23:15):
the following years, the investigation generated thousands more tips and
required investigators to follow up on leads across multiple states.
Every tip was taken seriously, every lead was investigated, and
every piece of evidence was carefully preserved and analyzed. However,
despite this massive effort, the breakthrough remained elusive. The case

(23:37):
attracted national attention from the beginning. The murders received extensive
media coverage, in part due to video and audio recordings
released by law enforcement that came from Libby's smartphone. The
case became one of the most closely watched unsolved murders
in the country. The media attention was both helpful and
problematic for the investigation. On one hand, the widespread cod

(24:00):
coverage ensured that the images and audio of Bridge Guide
reached millions of people, increasing the chances that someone would
recognize him. The reward money grew significantly due to public interest,
eventually reaching over three hundred thousand dollars. However, the intense
media scrutiny also created challenges, as Allen's defense attorneys would

(24:21):
later argue in a motion to move the trial out
of Carroll County. The extensive media attention and highly publicized
nature of the case in the local area raised concerns
about finding an unbiased jury in their motion seeking a
change of venue, Allen's attorneys highlighted the compactness of Carroll
County with its twenty thousand residents, and Delphi, which has

(24:44):
a population of three thousand, arguing that anyone who calls
that community home likely was involved in the search for
the girls and their killer, or had subjected themselves to
extensive public and social media coverage of the investigation. The
investigation took several significant turns over the years, each generating
renewed hope that a breakthrough was imminent. For over two years,

(25:07):
the investigation continued with thousands of tips and leads, but
no arrests. The first major development came with the release
of the composite sketch in July twenty seventeen, created from
eyewitness accounts of a hiker on the Delphi Historic Trails
the day the girls vanished. This first sketch depicted a
man with a cap in what appeared to be a

(25:28):
fuller face than the person who would eventually be arrested.
For nearly two years, this sketch guided the investigation and
was widely circulated throughout Indiana and beyond. Thousands of tips
poured in from people who thought they recognized the man
in the sketch, but none led to the breakthrough investigators
desperately needed. Then came the dramatic shift of April twenty second,

(25:51):
twenty nineteen, when Indiana State Police announced a new direction
in the case and released a new sketch of the suspect.
This dramatic shift in the investigation marked a significant moment
in the case. The new sketch depicted a younger looking man,
quite different from the first composite. This change indicated that
investigators had developed new information about the suspect's identity, though

(26:15):
they didn't reveal the specific source of this updated description.
Investigators stated they had reason to believe that the suspects
might be hiding in plain sight and was almost certainly
familiar with the Delphi area from living there, working there,
or for other reasons. Superintendent Doug Carter delivered a pointed
message at the time to the killer, suggesting the murderer

(26:37):
could be in the very room where he was addressing
reporters and community members. We believe you're hiding in plain sight,
he said. For more than two years, you never thought
we would shift gears to a different investigative strategy, but
we have we likely have interviewed you or someone close
to you. We know that this is about power to you,
and you want to know what we know. One day

(26:59):
you will. An additional plea was made for help in
identifying the driver of a vehicle left abandoned off the
Hoosier Heartland Highway in Delphi at the former Child Service's
office between noon and five pm on the day of
the murders. This detail suggested that investigators had developed specific
intelligence about the killer's movements on the day of the crime.

(27:21):
The investigation also had to deal with several false leads
and dead ends that consumed significant resources and raised false hopes.
One of the most significant involved Ronald Logan, the property
owner where the girl's bodies were found. The FBI carried
out a warrant to search his land on March seventeenth,
twenty seventeen. According to the search warrant, Logan created a

(27:44):
false alibi for his whereabouts the day of the murder,
and his cell phone pinged near where the girl's bodies
were found. A number of people told investigators they believed
Logan committed the murders, and investigators even searched his property
in March twenty seventeen. The FBI agent believed Logan had
lied about his whereabouts during the time of the murders,

(28:05):
and that he had been in the area where the
victims were found. Logan died of COVID related complications in
January twenty twenty one and was never charged, though he
was never officially named a suspect and never officially cleared.
Another major focus of the investigation involved Keegan Anthony Klein,
a man who became connected to the case through social media.

(28:28):
Kline was charged with thirty counts, including child exploitation, possession
of child pornography, and obstruction of justice. According to investigators,
Klein was behind the fake Anthony Shots profile, a false
online persona that communicated with Libby Jerman. The investigation began
in December twenty twenty one when Indiana State Police investigating

(28:51):
the Delphi murders asked for help from anyone who had
contact with the Anthony Shots account profile. Detective said the
account was used on Snapchat and Instagram, among other social
media platforms, in twenty sixteen and twenty seventeen. State police
said the person behind the account used photos of a
male model and portrayed himself as being extremely wealthy and

(29:15):
owning numerous sports cars. The model pictured was not the
person of interest and had no connection to the crimes.
The creator of the fictitious profile used this information while
communicating with juvenile females to solicit nude images, obtain their addresses,
and attempt to meet them. Transcripts obtained by the Murder

(29:36):
Sheet podcast showed the person who communicated with Libby through
the Anthony Shots PERSONA had agreed to meet Libby around
the time she went missing. This connection created significant interest
in Klein as a potential suspect or person with knowledge
about the murders. Klein was arrested in August twenty twenty
on the child pornography charges. The charges stemmed from a

(29:58):
search of his Peru, Indiana anahome on February twenty fifth,
twenty seventeen, just eleven days after the bodies of Liberty
German and Abigail Williams were discovered. The FBI, Indiana State Police,
and Peru Police Department took part in serving the search warrant,
and the investigation was focused on Kline allegedly soliciting underage girls.

(30:20):
Investigators found multiple devices containing illegal material. One iPhone. Investigators
found contained sexual images of children between twelve and seventeen,
adults involved in sexual acts with children between the ages
of three and eleven, and images of drugs Incline with
a black handgun. Another Samsung Galaxy phone recovered was factory

(30:42):
reset on February twenty third, twenty seventeen, nine days after
the Delphi murders. A factory reset essentially wipes all user
data from a device, though investigators were able to get
information on the device after the reset. According to court documents,
Klein created the Anthony Shots account approximately six months prior

(31:03):
to when investigators interviewed him in February of twenty seventeen.
He allegedly said he created the account to contact both
girls he knew and girls he did not. Court documents
show Kleine saying he would talk to girls even if
they were under the age of sixteen, and that he
found them on Instagram and then told them to message
him on Snapchat. The investigation in Decline intensified in the

(31:27):
summer of twenty twenty two. Within days of court filings
indicating that Indiana State Police had temporarily taken custody of
Kline for questioning. Divers were searching the Wabash River near Peru,
about forty miles from where Abbey and Libby were found dead.
But despite the intensive investigation in Decline and the Anthony
Shots connection, he was never charged in connection with the

(31:50):
Delphi murders. Indiana State Police issued statements clarifying that the
investigation in Decline was a separate child pornography case, though
they continued to seek information about anyone who had communicated
with the Anthony Shots profile. The breakthrough would finally come
not from any of these high profile leads, but from
a careful review of the existing case files and the

(32:13):
discovery of a misfiled tip. In September twenty twenty two,
investigators reviewed a misfiled tip after a volunteer file clerk
discovered the error. Richard Allen's last name was recorded incorrectly
on the tip when submitted, and the file was therefore
wrongly marked as cleared. This error would prove to be

(32:33):
one of the most significant mistakes in the investigation. For
over five years, crucial information about Richard Allen had been
sitting in the case files, incorrectly categorized and essentially forgotten.
The volunteer file clerk who discovered this error may have
been the person most responsible for finally bringing justice to
Abby and Libby. The misfiled tip discovery led investigators to

(32:56):
take a fresh look at Richard Allen, a fifty year
old Delphi man who had been interviewed early in the
investigation but then overlooked due to the clerical error. When
investigators finally connected Alan to the case in twenty twenty two,
they were able to link physical evidence to him that
had been collected years earlier. Alan's twenty seventeen interview with

(33:18):
conservation officer Dan Doolan became a crucial piece of evidence
once it was rediscovered. According to Dulan's testimony during the trial,
Alan told him he had been on the trails that
afternoon and had encountered three girls. Doolan described his encounter
with Alan as brief, about five to ten minutes. He
did not videotape or take an audio recording of the conversation,

(33:40):
relying instead on handwritten notes. During questioning, Carroll County Prosecutor
Nick McCleland asked Doolan, when you spoke to Richard Allen,
he told you he ran into three girls. Did he
give you any information on what way the three girls
were going. This detail became significant because it placed Allan
on the trails at the time when other witnesses reported

(34:02):
seeing suspicious activity. Doolan did not follow up on the
lead and returned it to the investigation center. The tip
was filed away and forgotten due to the clerical error
that misspelled Allen's name. In September twenty twenty two, Doolan
testified that he received a call from former Delphi Police
Chief Steve Mullen asking if he had ever talked with

(34:23):
Richard Allen. Doolan said, the name didn't sound familiar to me,
but I went back to the computer and typed in
Richard Allen. Notes came up about an interview in February
of twenty seventeen. The rediscovery of this misfiled tip led
to Allan being brought in for questioning again in October
twenty twenty two. This time, investigators had the benefit of

(34:44):
years of evidence collection and technological advances that had not
been available in the original investigation. When authorities searched Allen's
home on October thirteenth, twenty twenty two, they seized a
blue Carhart jacket, a sig sour P two twenty six
forty caliber semi automatic handgun and a forty caliber S
and W cartridge in a wooden keepsake box from a

(35:07):
dresser between two closets in his bedroom. David Viido, an
ISP detective who assisted in the search, found photos of
the home which showed a Ford focus outside. Vito told
the court more than twelve phones, including outdated models, two pagers,
and two SD cards were taken from the Allen home
as evidence the gun was consistent with the forty caliber

(35:30):
unspent bullet officers had located at the site of the murders.
In twenty seventeen, Indiana State Police firearms examiner Melissa Oberg
conducted the ballistics analysis that would become central to the
prosecution's case. She contended that the bullet found at the
scene had been cycled through Richard Allen's sig sour forty
caliber pistol based on the quality and quantity of Marx

(35:53):
found on the unspent cartridge. During the search of Allen's home,
ISP Lieutenant Jerry Holman supervised the option and sat in
the car with Allan. Holman testified he asked Alan if
he wanted to fill out forms for any of the
items found during the search of his home. Holman says,
Alan responded, it doesn't matter, it's over. The investigation into

(36:15):
Allan intensified as investigators began connecting him to witness accounts
from February thirteenth, twenty seventeen. Several witnesses had reported seeing
a suspicious man on the trails that day, and their
descriptions began to align with Allan's appearance and the clothing
he admitted to wearing. Richard Matthew Allen was born in

(36:36):
September nineteen seventy two and grew up in Mexico, Indiana.
Allan was a student at North Miami Middle High School
in neighboring Denver, where he participated in football and track
and field until graduating in nineteen ninety one. Allan's background
seemed unremarkable for someone who would later be accused of
such a crime. He was a typical small town Indiana

(36:57):
resident who had lived in the area for most of
his life. Allan attended Ivy Tech Community College, where he
studied accounting and had a short stint in both the U.
S Army and National Guard. Allan was later married and
had one daughter. From two thousand and three until twenty thirteen,
he worked as a store manager at a Logansport Walmart.

(37:19):
He later worked at two CVS pharmacy stores, one in
neighboring Peru and the other in delf before receiving his
pharmacy technician license in February twenty eighteen. Alan's work at
the CVS pharmacy in Delphi placed him directly in the
community where Abby and Libby lived. This job would have
given him regular contact with local residents and made him

(37:40):
a familiar face around town. It's likely that he had
encountered the girls or their families at some point through
his work. The fact that Alan worked in Delphi supported
the investigator's belief that the killer was someone familiar with
the area. According to a probable cause affidavit, Allan was
interviewed by the police in seventeen and said he was

(38:01):
on the trail that afternoon for around two hours. This
interview occurred as part of the routine canvassing of potential
witnesses that law enforcement conducted in the early days of
the investigation. During this initial interview, Allan placed himself at
the scene of the crime, claiming he had been on
the trails around the time of the murders. However, due

(38:21):
to the clerical error in recording his name, this crucial
information was filed incorrectly and essentially lost in the case files.
In a subsequent interview in October twenty twenty two, Alan
told authorities he had worn jeans and a black or
blue jacket that day and had gone to the bridge
to watch fish. When investigators finally connected Alan to the

(38:43):
case in twenty twenty two, they were able to link
physical evidence to him. Richard Allen was arrested and charged
with the murders in October twenty twenty two. Allan, who
was fifty two years old at the time of his arrest,
had been living and working in Delphi for years after
the murders, hiding in plain sight. Just as investigators had suspected,

(39:04):
the path to trial was not smooth. Allen's case was
marked by numerous legal challenges, including issues with his legal
representation and concerns about his mental health. While in custody,
Allen's attorneys asked that he be moved from the Westville
Correctional Facility to a county jail, citing a decline in
the man's physical and mental health. Allen's defense team claimed

(39:25):
the suspects mental and physical state was getting worse in isolation.
These concerns about Allan's mental health would become a central
theme in his defense strategy, as his attorneys would later
argue that his confessions were the product of psychological deterioration
rather than genuine admissions of guilt. The trial began on
October eighteen, twenty twenty four, in del Phi. Allen was

(39:50):
charged with two counts of murder while committing or attempting
to commit kidnapping. For the first time since a judge
issued a gag order in the case in twenty twenty two,
in Libby's family members testified before the public on October eighteenth,
the first day of the trial. Stay tuned for more
of the guilty files. We'll be right back after these messages.

(40:13):
The emotional testimony from family members set the tone for
what would become one of the most closely watched murder
trials in Indiana history. Becky Patty, Libby's grandmother, was the
first to speak before the court, describing her granddaughter as adventurous, intelligent,
and calm. She added that Libby loved crime shows and
wanted to make a difference. Patty recalled the moment on

(40:36):
February fourteenth, twenty seventeen, when searchers located Libby's and Abbey's
bodies in the woods after they had been missing for
a day. Other family members who testified on October eighteenth
included Libby's sister Kelsey, Jermyn Siebert, Libby's father Derek Jerman,
and Abbey's mother Anna Williams. The family testimony was particularly

(40:58):
emotional as they had been prevented from speaking publicly about
the case for nearly two years due to the gag order.
Kelsey testified about the last time she saw her sister alive.
She described dropping the girls off at the trail and
her growing concern when they failed to meet their pickup time.
Her testimony provided crucial context about the girl's plans for

(41:19):
the day and their normal routines. The prosecution's opening statement
outlined their case against Alan. Prosecutor Nick maclealand told the
jury that when searchers found the two girls dead in
a wooded area near the Monon High Bridge, Libby was
naked and covered in blood, while Abby was found wearing
Libby's clothes. Both girls had their throats cut several times.

(41:42):
Mclealand explained to the jury that they would be shown
graphic crime scene photos during the trial. He described how
Allan allegedly forced the girls down the hill to the
spot where they were killed. The prosecutor painted a picture
of a premeditated attack that resulted in the brutal murders
of two innocent teenage The early days of the trial

(42:02):
focused heavily on the crime scene evidence and the physical
details of the murders. Week two of the trial began
with testimonies from law enforcement on Monday morning, with ninety
minutes of that testimony including showing photos of the crime
scene to the jury. Carroll County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Giancola,
who was the first law enforcement officer on the scene

(42:23):
after the bodies were discovered, was emotional as he took
the stand for the prosecution. On the third day of testimony.
Johncola said one of the girls was nude and the
other was clothed when their bodies were located. When asked
if life saving measures were performed, Juncola responded, no, it
was apparent they were deceased. His testimony marked the first

(42:45):
time that many of the specific details about the condition
of the victims had been made public. The second witness
called by the prosecution was Indiana State Police Sergeant Jason Page,
who took the stand just before ten am. Page is
a crime scene investing the Gator, who said he has
worked more than nine hundred crime scenes, about one hundred
of those being homicides. He arrived at the scene around

(43:07):
one thirty pm. Page described the crime scene in detail
for the jury. The size of the area taped off
was compared to a football field by Page, but most
of the physical evidence was within thirty to forty feet
of the girl's bodies. His methodical documentation of the scene
provided the foundation for much of the physical evidence that
would be presented throughout the trial. More than fifty crime

(43:31):
scene photos were shown on a large screen television inside
the courtroom. A crime scene investigator from the Indiana State
Police narrated as the photos were being shown. As the
photos were displayed, many jurors put their hands on their heads, squirmed, sighed,
and turned red as they saw photographs of the girl's bodies.

(43:51):
One juror put a hand over their mouth. Some family
members had to turn away while visibly sobbing at the images.
Richard Allen looked at the photos and was taking notes.
He did not show any visible emotion during the display
of the graphic crime scene images. Special Judge fran Gull
took a longer recess to allow the jury to break
after what she called a tough mourning. The crime scene

(44:15):
photographs revealed disturbing details about the killer's actions. Page's testimony
was very calm and explanatory as he described what investigators found.
The photos showed that the bodies had sticks, twigs, and
limbs placed over them after they were positioned there. There
were numerous spots where blood could be seen throughout the area.

(44:35):
Testimony shared that Abby was wearing Libby's jeans and sweatshirt.
One crime scene investigator testified to Abby's jeans and jacket
being found in the river, as well as Libby's T shirt.
The clothing evidence suggested that the killer had redressed the victims,
adding another disturbing element to the crime. Libby Jermans's body
was found nude. Abby Williams was found wearing what was

(44:58):
believed to be Libby's clothes. Her genes were unfastened and
looked too big for her. She had on a black
hooded sweatshirt with the words Delphi swimming on the front
and German on the back in yellow block letters. Additional
photos showed Abby wearing a gray sports braw and a
pink T shirt under the sweatshirt and black Converse All
Star shoes. Investigators discovered crucial evidence positioning that would later

(45:22):
prove important to the case. Photos shown during testimony revealed
Libby's right black and white Nike Tennis shoe under Abbey's
body around the small of her back, and Libby's cell
phone in a purple Harry Potter Gryffindor case under the shoe.
Both the shoe and phone were hidden under Abby's clothes
and body until investigators moved Abbey's body. The discovery of

(45:43):
Libby's phone in this position supported the prosecution's theory that
Abby had deliberately concealed the phone, ensuring that the crucial
video evidence would be found by investigators. This act of
presence of mind, even in her final moments, demonstrated the
courage that both girls had shown during their ordeal. The
centerpiece of the prosecution's case was the video that Libby

(46:06):
had recorded on her phone. Prosecutors told the jury that
Allen was the bridge guy after showing them a digitally
enhanced forty three second version of the cell phone video
recorded by Libby. Indiana State Police Lieutenant Brian Bunner, a
digital forensic expert, testified about his role in examining information
captured from the phone. Bunner testified that when a cell

(46:28):
phone like Libby's is taken for evidence, they start with
a manual examination of the phone's exterior. He said numerous
photos of the phone were taken before they tried to
extract any data from it. This careful documentation process ensured
that the digital evidence would be admissible in court and
that the chain of custody would remain intact. The next

(46:49):
two witnesses were Indiana State Police forensic examiners who worked
to extract data from German cell phone. Both had been
called as witnesses by the prosecution. Sergeant Christopher Cecil was
among those who testified about the phone's data. During questioning,
defense attorneys noted that a quick Google search showed water
damage or dirt could cause the phone to register that

(47:11):
something had been plugged into the audio jack on redirect.
Defense attorneys pushed back by saying Google searches are not
always a reliable source. Stacy Eldridge, a forensic examiner for
the defense who looked at the extracted data from Liberty
German cell phone, provided testimony that challenged some of the
state's timeline. A key point of her testimony focused on

(47:33):
the timeline when German cell phone did not connect to
a cell tower or show any movement activity, suggesting possible
discrepancies in the prosecution sequence of events. Critical witness testimony
placed Allen at the scene during the crucial time period
on October twenty third, twenty twenty four. Sarah Carbaugh, a witness,

(47:54):
testified during the trial and placed Allan near the scene
of the crime. On the afternoon of February thirteenth, twenty seventeen.
Car Ball said she saw the same man shown in
Libby's video, known as the Bridge guy, walking down a
road around four pm on the day the girls went missing.
Carbaugh testified that she was on the Monon High Bridge

(48:14):
trail on the day the girls were killed. She described
herself as local as you can get and said she
often walked her dog in the area. Around four pm
that day, she saw a man covered in mud and
blood walking alongside the road. I looked at him, but
he did not make eye contact with me, Carboll said
from the stand. Carball also shared with jurors that Alan

(48:37):
had mud and blood on his clothing, looking like he
had fallen in a muddy creek. This detail became significant
because it suggested that Alan had been involved in some
kind of physical altercation or struggle. Carbough did not call
her tip into police for three weeks, explaining that she
delayed providing the information because she was overthinking a traumatic situation.

(48:59):
Carbo also testified that her videotaped interview was lost due
to a technical error. The state had previously admitted that
some interviews were lost due to errors with their system.
Additional witnesses provided testimony that helped establish the timeline and
Allan's presence in the area. The first witness was Brian Wilbur,
who was a student at Delphi High School in twenty seventeen.

(49:22):
She was friends with Kelsey Jermyan Libby's sister. She testified
to being with Kelsey when finding out Libby was missing.
Wilbur shared that she was on the trail February thirteenth.
During testimony, Wilbur said that she remembered walking past a
man while walking back toward the start of the trail.
She described the man she identified as bridge Guy as

(49:43):
creeping her out while he walked with a purpose. Wilbur
also said she posted a photo to snapchat of the
bridge that day and Libby messaged her asking if she
was at the trail. She replied they had left ten
minutes prior. She said the man caught her attention on
the trail that day because it was warmer than usual
and he was dressed in many layers walking with a purpose.

(50:05):
He gave me weird vibes. Another witness, Rayley Vorhees, said
the man she saw was overdressed for the weather, had
on dark clothes, was wearing a hat, and had his
hands in his pockets. Betsy Blair provided testimony about a
suspicious vehicle she observed near the trails. Blair appeared on
the stand for the second time during the trial. She

(50:26):
was called by the prosecution and testified that she was
on the Monon High Bridge trails on February thirteenth, twenty seventeen.
Her testimony centered around a car she said she saw
near the trails at the CPS building. Blair told the
court that the car she saw that day was turned
and backed into a spot She said she found it
odd the car reminded her of her father's car, a

(50:50):
nineteen sixty five Ford Comet. She said it was not
a bright color and it was likely a darker color.
This vehicle evidence became important because investigators were trying to
establish how Allan had traveled to and from the crime scene.
Perhaps the most damning evidence against Alan came from his
own words. Prosecutors said that Allan had admitted to the

(51:11):
murders more than sixty times while incarcerated, confessing to his wife,
his mother, family members, the prison warden, the psychologist who
treated him in prison, other prison employees, and other inmates.
The confessions were made in person, over the phone, and
in writing. Monica Walla, the former lead psychologist at Westville

(51:31):
Correctional Facility where Allan was housed, testified he initially told
her he was innocent, but began confessing to the crimes
in April twenty twenty three, around the time he was
placed back on suicide watch. While I testified, Allan had
told her I killed Abby and Libby. Allan admitted in
one jail house confession that he did order the girls

(51:52):
down the hill. He also repeatedly confessed to killing the girls,
providing chilling details about the crime. According to prosecutors, Alan
said he had initially intended to rape the girls, but
was spooked by a van driving nearby on a road
close to the crime scene. At that point, he claimed
he made the decision to kill them instead. In his confessions,

(52:14):
Alan described leading the girls from the bridge down into
the wooded area below where the attack took place. The
location was secluded hidden from view of the trail above,
which explained why no other hikers witnessed the crime, despite
the bridge being a popular destination. Allan's confessions revealed that
he used a knife to kill both girls, slashing their

(52:35):
throats in what prosecutors described as a brutal and frenzied attack.
The multiple wounds on Libby's neck, as revealed in the autopsy,
were consistent with Allan's descriptions of the killing. The confessions
also provided insight into Allan's state of mind during the murders.
He admitted to forcing the girls to remove their clothing,
which explained why Libby was found nude and why the

(52:57):
killer had redressed Abbey in Libby's clothes. This detail was
known only to the killer and investigators lending credibility to
Allan's admissions. Perhaps most chillingly, Allan confessed to family members
and prison staff that he could still hear the girl's voices,
suggesting the psychological impact of his crimes continued to haunt him.

(53:18):
He told his mother during one recorded phone call that
he had killed Abby and Libby, and these conversations were
played for the jury during the trial. Allan's lawyers said
he was innocent and claimed the killings were part of
a ritual sacrifice. The defense team pursued multiple strategies to
counter the prosecution's evidence. His attorney said his declining mental

(53:39):
stability led him to make false statements behind bars. Allan's
defense lawyers described him as an innocent man who denied
having killed the girls and provided a false confession only
after he'd been held in an environment that they compared
to solitary confinement. Defense attorney Brad Rosey said it was
psychological warfare on a man who's a pre trial detainee.

(54:02):
The defense also disputed the results of the ballistics analysis
at trial. Rozzi described the evidence related to the analysis
as insufficient to prove a link between the bullet discovered
at the scene and Alan's gun. In Allen's initial interview
with investigators, which was played for the jury, he acknowledged
having been on the trail the day the girls were murdered,

(54:23):
but he repeatedly denied killing them. Alan chose not to
take the stand in his own defense. The jury, which
had been sequestered during the trial, began deliberations on November seven.
After deliberating the case for more than eighteen hours over
four days, the jury reached their verdict on November eleventh,
twenty twenty four. Allan was convicted on all counts. After

(54:47):
four days of deliberations, a jury found the fifty two
year old guilty of felony murder and guilty of knowingly
and intentionally killing both thirteen year old Abby Williams and
fourteen year old Libby German. Before the verdict was read
on Monday afternoon, special Judge Francis Gull said, regardless of
what the verdict is, people aren't going to be happy.

(55:08):
Take your unhappiness outside. When the first guilty count was read,
there were audible sighs of relief in the courtroom. The
victims' families, who had been waiting more than seven years
for this moment, hugged each other and the prosecutors thanking
them when court was dismissed. After the verdict was read,
Alan looked at his wife Kathy, who was crying. He asked,

(55:31):
are you okay before he was cuffed and led away.
The trial brought another controversial element to public attention through
the evidence leak scandal. In October twenty twenty three, evidence
related to Libby and Abbey's deaths, including crime scene photos,
were leaked online and distributed to YouTube and podcast content creators.

(55:52):
The leak was traced back to Mitch Westermann, a friend
of one of Allen's attorneys, who reportedly contacted defense attorney
Baldwin and admitted to being behind the leak, taking photos
of the evidence and sharing those with a man who
later shared them with another person from Texas, who in
turn sent them to various YouTube and podcast creators. This

(56:12):
leak caused a major disruption in the case proceedings. Judge
Goull removed Allen's defense attorneys in October twenty twenty three,
citing gross negligence due to crime scene photos being leaked
from their office. The attorney's removal was appealed to the
Indiana Supreme Court, and the justices ultimately reinstated the defense
attorneys to the case. The evidence leak highlighted the challenges

(56:35):
of maintaining confidentiality in a high profile case in the
digital age. Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter stressed that
anyone who shares the leaked crime scene photos of Abby
and Libby should be held accountable. The crime scene photos
are still out there, Prosecutor maclalan said, urging anyone who
receives the photos to delete them to avoid revictimizing the families.

(57:00):
Following Allen's conviction and sentencing, Prosecutor mcleland filed a motion
to keep the crime scene photos, autopsy photos, and Allan's
mental health records confidential. The material includes gruesome photos of
the aftermath, as well as photos of Abby Williams and
Libby Jermy from their autopsies. Mcleland said the release of
autopsy photos would have the same impact on the families

(57:22):
and retraumatized them for years to come. Judge fran Gull
ruled that all crime scene and autopsy photos, as well
as medical and mental health records, be sealed. The court
determined it had the ability to seal certain records within
a mandatory exception to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act.
The case also raised questions about the balance between public

(57:44):
interest and privacy rights. From the very onset of Allan's arrest,
Prosecutor mclealan worked to shield information from the public. When
Indiana State Police announced Allan's arrest in October twenty twenty two,
mcleland had already asked the CORE to seal the probable
cause affidavit and charging information. Special Judge fran Gull approved

(58:06):
the release of a redacted version of the probable cause
affidavit in November twenty twenty two, and she released a
trove of documents related to the Delphi murders in June
twenty twenty three. The extensive media coverage throughout the investigation
created both opportunities and challenges for law enforcement. The widespread

(58:26):
distribution of the bridge Guy image and audio recording ensured
that millions of people saw and heard the evidence, increasing
the chances of someone recognizing the suspect. The case generated
international attention, keeping pressure on investigators to solve the crime
and ensuring that resources remained available for the investigation. However,

(58:48):
the media attention also created complications true crime podcasters and
amateur investigators generated numerous theories and pursued their own investigations,
sometimes creating confusion or spreading misinformation. The case became a
phenomenon on social media platforms, with amateur sleuths analyzing every

(59:08):
piece of evidence and developing elaborate theories about potential suspects.
Carroll County Sheriff Tob Leesenby noted that investigators had fielded
approximately five hundred calls since the onset of the latest
released information. Following the release of information about the Anthony
Shots profile, the volume of tips generated by media coverage

(59:29):
was both helpful and overwhelming for investigators, who had to
carefully evaluate each piece of information while maintaining focus on
the most promising leads. One juror later said in an interview,
we did take a vote after we watched all the videos,
and there was that day eight guilty and four undecided.
If it wasn't Richard Allen, who possibly else could it

(59:51):
have been? The juror continued. Allan says he was there
at that time window he said what he was wearing,
and it was the same clothes as Bridge guy. So
once you get to that, there's really no disputing that
Richard Allen is Bridge guy. Stay tuned for more of
the guilty files. We'll be right back after these messages.

(01:00:12):
On December twentieth, twenty twenty four, Judge Gull sentenced Alan
to sixty five years for the murder of Libby and
sixty five years for the murder of Abbey, with the
terms to be served consecutively, resulting in a total of
one hundred and thirty years in prison. A gag order
prevented the families of Abby and Libby from commenting during

(01:00:33):
or after Allan's trial. Libby's grandmother, Becky Patty, broke her
silence on Friday, saying at sentencing, I can never change
my choice to let Libby and Abbey go to the
trails that day. I hope he lives with the same
fear he caused Abby and Libby in the last hour
of their lives, she said. Abby's grandmother, Diane Erskine, said,

(01:00:54):
this is a day of great sadness for our family.
We won't be going home to celebrate with Champagne. Nearly
eight years since her granddaughter's murder, Erskine said, I've watched
her friends graduate college and wonder how many great grandkids
were murdered that day too. Erskine said Abby's last words
in Libby's phone were, don't leave me up here, so

(01:01:16):
the grieving grandmother didn't let herself leave the trial even
during tough testimony, Carroll County Sheriff Tony Liggett apologized to
the families for the case taking eight years to reach
a conclusion. There will never be any closure in this case,
the sheriff told reporters. A form of justice was served,
but it does not bring Abby or Libby back. These

(01:01:36):
families will live every day without two of the most
important people in their lives. They're missing milestones because a
low life coward decided to take their innocent lives. Indiana
State Police Superintendent Doug Carter thanked the families of the
victims as well as Delphi residents. He said, this verdict
starts a new chapter for the community. Mike Patty, Libby's grandfather,

(01:01:58):
thank the community for support his family, and the investigative
team for working towards justice for almost eight years. I
want to send out my appreciation that justice has been
serviced for the girls, Patty said, I'll always be grateful.
Becky and Mike Patty had waited years for a verdict.
The November eleventh conclusion to the roughly four week trial

(01:02:19):
felt like the biggest moment in their lives. But as
Becky Patty said, do you say there's winners. We got
our verdict, but that didn't bring the girls back. Not
everyone was pleased with the guilty verdict. Some supporters of
Alan expressed disappointment with the jury's decision and continued to
maintain his innocence, while family members were unable to talk

(01:02:40):
about the guilty verdict publicly due to the gag order.
Libby's sister Kelsey shared on Instagram that she was thankful
for all the love, support and prayers, and said she
would share her thoughts once the gag order was lifted.
Alan was transported to Westville Correctional Facility and later the
Pendleton Correctional Facility, where he is serving his one hundred

(01:03:01):
and thirty year sentence for Richard Allen, now fifty two
years old. This sentence effectively means he will spend the
rest of his life in prison for the murders of
Abby Williams and Libby German. Allen's attorneys have filed to
appeal his conviction. The Delphi murder's case demonstrated the crucial
role that modern technology can play in solving crimes. Libby

(01:03:23):
German's iPhone provided investigators with a detailed timeline of the
girl's final hours and, most importantly, recorded their killer. This
case stands as a testament to the power of technology
and modern criminal investigations, the importance of community support during
long investigations, and the determination of families who refuse to
give up in their quest for justice. Most importantly, it

(01:03:46):
ensures that Abigail Williams and Liberty German will be remembered
not just as victims, but as brave young women whose
quick thinking and courage led to the conviction of their killer.
In Delphi, Indiana. The Abbey and Libby Memorial Park continues
to take shape, ensuring that their memory will inspire future generations.

(01:04:07):
The memorial project represents more than just a tribute to
two young lives lost. It embodies the community's determination to
create something positive from tragedy. The case that began on
a warm February afternoon in twenty seventeen with two best
friends setting out for a day of adventure in photography,
ultimately became a story of justice prevailing through the combined

(01:04:29):
efforts of technology, community support, careful police work, and the
extraordinary courage of two teenage girls, who, in their final moments,
ensured that their killer would not escape unpunished. For Richard Allen,
who spent over five years hiding in plain sight in
the community where he had committed his crimes, justice finally
came in the form of a unanimous jury verdict and

(01:04:51):
a one hundred and thirty year prison sentence. For Abby
and Libby, justice came in the form of a story
that will be remembered and retold, ensuring that their names
live on and their courage continues to inspire others. The
Bridge Guy may have thought he could disappear into the
shadows after committing his heinous crimes, but the brave actions

(01:05:12):
of Liberty German ensured that his image and voice would
be preserved forever, ultimately leading to his capture and conviction.
In the end, the technology that Libby used to record
her attacker, combined with the determination of their families and
law enforcement, proved that even the most carefully planned crimes
cannot escape justice indefinitely. The Delphi Murder's case closed with

(01:05:35):
Richard Allen's conviction, but the memory of Abigail Williams and
Liberty German persists not as victims, but as heroes whose
final act of courage brought their killer to justice and
provided a measure of peace to a community that had
waited eight long years for answers. As we reflect on
the Delphi murders case, we are reminded that while justice

(01:05:56):
was ultimately served, it came at an enormous cost. Two bright,
talented young women lost their lives, families were forever changed,
and a community was traumatized. However, the courage that Libby
and Abbey showed in their final moments ensured that their
killer would not escape justice. The story of the Delphi

(01:06:16):
murders is ultimately about the triumph of good over evil,
the power of community support, the importance of never giving
up in the pursuit of justice, and the courage of
two teenage girls who in their darkest moment ensured that
the truth would eventually come to light. Their legacy lives
on not just in the memorial park that bears their names,

(01:06:36):
but in the lessons their case has taught about the
importance of digital evidence, community involvement in criminal investigations, and
the remarkable bravery that ordinary people can display in extraordinary circumstances.
As this case closes, we remember Abigail Williams and Liberty
German not as victims, but as heroes whose final act

(01:06:57):
saved countless other potential victims by ensuring their killer was
caught and will never harm anyone again. That's our deep
dive into the Delphi murders case, a story of tragedy, investigation,
and ultimately justice. The courage shown by Libby and Abby
in their final moments serves as an inspiration to us all.

(01:07:18):
Join us Wednesday for Danny's rewired episode where he gets
into the psychology and sociology of this case, exploring the
mind of Richard Allen and the community impact of these
horrific crimes. And don't miss Friday's Revisited episode where Danny
and I come together to break it all down, analyzing
the investigation, the trial, and the lasting impact of this

(01:07:41):
case on American criminal justice. Until then, remember to stay safe,
stay aware, and never underestimate the power of technology and
quick thinking in the face of danger. It