In a court document presented on Monday, September 18, defense lawyers representing a man accused of the 2017 murders of two teenage girls have introduced a challenging alternative to the prosecution’s story.
The memorandum, which spans 136 pages, suggests that the teenage victims, Libby German and Abby Williams, were not killed by the defendant, Richard Allen. Instead, the defense posits that the girls were subjected to a ritualistic act by members of a pagan cult related to the Odinist religion. This particular religion is known to have ties to white nationalism. The defense contends that the cult orchestrated the murders, adjusting the crime scene to reflect their spiritual customs.
The two girls, Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13, from Delphi, Indiana, vanished after taking a phone video. This video displayed a man on an abandoned railway bridge instructing them to “go down the hill.” One girl is heard saying that the man possessed a gun. Their bodies were discovered about half a mile from the bridge the following day. The arrest of Richard Allen in October 2022 garnered widespread attention both within and outside the community.
Contained within the defense’s documentation is a detailed portrayal of the crime location.
They believe that the perpetrator(s) cut the girls’ throats and used branches and sticks to position their bodies to resemble symbols connected to the Odinist religion. They contend that one symbol was crafted using one of the victims’ blood. The defense underlines the implausibility of a single person staging such a complex scene by detailing more than 40 steps that would be necessary for such an act.
The defense asserts that the police overlooked critical evidence that might link multiple individuals associated with the Odinist cult. They argue that law enforcement focused too intently on Allen, potentially missing other essential evidence and potential culprits.
The prosecution highlights that Allen admitted to the crimes during various prison phone conversations. However, the defense challenges these confessions, attributing them to Allen’s mental health issues. They further suggest that there may have been mishandling of evidence by the investigators and possibly deception to secure a search warrant for Allen’s home.
The prosecution has not yet responded to these substantial claims. This development adds another layer of complexity to a case that has held the public’s attention for an extended period. With the trial scheduled to begin on January 8, 2024, significant media attention is anticipated as both sides present their case.
