Richard Allen: Delphi murder suspect's lawyers condemn ‘proof of guilt’, seek bail ahead of court hearing
DELPHI, INDIANA: Richard Allen's lawyers are challenging the "proof of guilt" and arguing for their client's release after the 50-year-old was arrested on October 26 in connection with the deaths of two eighth-graders, Libby German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13. The girls were discovered dead near an abandoned railroad in Delphi, Indiana, in February 2017.
The newly appointed lawyers for Allen - Bradley Rozzi, and Andrew Baldwin - requested that Allen be released "on his own recognizance or, in the alternative, to set a reasonable bail." According to their motion, which Fox59 was able to receive, Rozzi and Baldwin asked for a bail hearing.
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The motion was submitted on Monday, November 21, a day ahead of the court hearing on Tuesday, November 22, to decide whether the probable cause affidavit that resulted in Allen's arrest will remain sealed. According to the motion, "(T)he defense has received and reviewed the probable cause affidavit that, as of the time of the filing of this motion, has been sealed." According to his lawyers, “(n)either the proof of guilt is evident, nor the presumption of guilt strong." Allen, 50, a married father with a degree in pharmacy technology, had spent years working at a CVS store in the middle of the community. Denying any role in the girls' murders, Allen has entered a not-guilty plea to two counts of murder.
The evidence that resulted in his arrest has not yet been disclosed by the police. Since Allen was placed in detention, the probable cause affidavit has been kept confidential. Although Libby and Abby's bodies were purportedly "staged" and their clothing had been taken as trophies, the girls' murders remain a mystery.
Libby's mother, Carrie Timmons, told The U.S. Sun that she hoped any records pertaining to Allen's arrest would be kept secret from the public forever to avoid jeopardizing the prosecution's case. Carrie said, "what's waiting a little longer going to do? ", having already endured a torturous five and a half years of waiting for information about what happened to her daughter. "I don't want anything to happen that would jeopardize the case in any way," said Carrie. "So if the affidavit being sealed manages to seal the deal and get a conviction, then leave it sealed."
Carrie preached the virtue of patience and urged the prosecution not to release any potentially significant evidence ahead of time due to the huge public interest. "What is releasing that information going to do?" she said, adding, "It's certainly not going to help the prosecution in any way." "So why does the media or the public need to know all the details now? It's all going to come out at trial anyway," she continued. "We've waited this long, so what's a little longer? What good will it do, except for putting me on edge for the next six months? To satisfy someone else's curiosity? No thank you!" she concluded.