Convicted Indiana Killer Seeks New Trial, Cites Psychosis Defense

WHO:

CNN - Richard Allen, convicted of murdering two teen girls, Abigail Williams and Liberty German.

CNN - Mark Leeman, attorney for Richard Allen.

CNN - Ellen Meilaender, Indiana Deputy Attorney General.

WHAT:

CNN - Richard Allen is serving 130 years in prison for the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.

CNN - Allen's attorney claims that confessions were obtained while he was suffering from psychosis.

CNN - Allen's defense argues that a police sketch of a suspect was not presented at trial, which looked nothing like him.

CNN - The Indiana Court of Appeals is reviewing Allen's request for a new trial.

WHERE:

CNN - The murders occurred in Delphi, Indiana, on a hiking trail near an abandoned railroad trestle.

WHEN:

CNN - Richard Allen was convicted in 2024.

CNN - The bodies of the girls were found on February 13, 2017.

WHY:

CNN - Allen's attorney argues that police were biased in their investigation and failed to consider other suspects.

CNN - The defense claims that Allen's mental state deteriorated due to solitary confinement, leading him to falsely confess.

HOW:

CNN - Allen allegedly confessed to the murders after experiencing a psychological decline while in solitary confinement.

CNN - Prosecutors stated that Allen was armed and forced the girls off the trail, intending to rape them before killing them.

CNN - An expert testified that an unspent bullet found at the scene had been cycled through Allen's handgun.

(UPDATED September 22, 2026 14:02 UTC)

Richard Allen, who was convicted of murdering two teen girls, Abigail Williams and Liberty German, is currently serving 130 years in prison for his crimes. His attorney, Mark Leeman, claims that confessions were obtained while Allen was suffering from psychosis and argues that a police sketch of a suspect, which looked nothing like him, was not presented at trial. The Indiana Court of Appeals is now reviewing Allen's request for a new trial, as his defense contends that police were biased in their investigation and failed to consider other suspects.