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Delphi Murder Suspect Richard Allen Pleads For Legal Assistance In Handwritten Letter
Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen initially planned to retain his own legal representative but "had no clue how expensive it would be," as penned in a recent letter to the court.
The Indiana man accused of murdering Abby Williams and Libby German in 2017 is begging the court for financial assistance.
Richard Allen, 50, penned a letter to the court “begging” for affordable legal representation, according to court records obtained by multiple local news outlets, including Fox Indianapolis affiliate WXIN and WISH-TV. A court stamp shows the letter was filed Wednesday with the Carroll Circuit Court.
“In the case listed above, I, Richard M. Allen, hereby throw myself at the mercy of the court,” the former CVS employee stated. “I am begging to be provide[d] with legal assistance in [sic] a public defender or whatever help is available.”
Allen is a suspect in the slayings of teenage friends Williams, 13, and German, 14, who vanished from a Delphi, Indiana hiking trail on Feb. 13, 2017, while enjoying a day off from school. Their bodies were found in a wooded area the next day — a cause of death has not been shared with the public.
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The case gained national coverage after investigators released an audio and video clip from German’s phone showing a man — believed to be their killer — walking in their direction around the time they disappeared. The man could be heard saying, “down the hill.”
So far, investigators have remained tight-lipped about how Allen is connected to the girls since announcing his Oct. 28 arrest, and a probable cause statement remains sealed.
At his first court appearance, Allen told Carroll Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Diener — before Diener recused himself — that he intended to find his own legal representation.
“However, at the time, I had no clue how expensive it would be just to talk to someone,” Allen wrote. “I also did not realize what my wife and I’s immediate financial situation was going to be.”
Allen said he and his wife “have both been forced to immediately abandon employment,” citing safety concerns for his spouse. He also claimed she had to leave their home.
“What little reserve there is will fail to even maintain the original residence,” Allen stated.
Since his arrest, Allen has been transported between multiple jails to protect him from the public. He was initially held at the Carroll County Jail before being transferred to the White County Jail (listed as Allen’s return address in his recent letter).
Allen has since been moved to an undisclosed state facility, according to WXIN.
“Again, I throw myself at the mercy of the court. Please provide me [with] whatever assistance you may,” Allen ended the letter. “Thank you for your time in this most urgent matter.”
A hearing was scheduled for Nov. 22 to determine whether or not the charging documents would be made public. However, according to WISH-TV, the hearing faces a possible date change since Judge Diener, who scheduled the hearing, recused himself on Nov. 3, the same day he allowed Allen to be transferred to state custody. Diener cited the “public’s blood lust for information” and concerns for the his own safety as the reasons for his recusal.
Last week, the Indiana Supreme Court appointed Allen County Superior Judge Fran Gull to preside over the case.
Allen has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Williams and German.
