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DELPHI, Ind. — Convicted killer Richard Allen was sentenced Friday to 130 years in prison for the 2017 murders of Abigail “Abby” Williams, 13, and Liberty “Libby” German, 14, whose deaths shocked the Delphi community and drew national attention.
Carroll County Judge Fran Gull imposed consecutive 65-year sentences for each murder, calling Allen’s crimes among the most heinous she had encountered in her 27-year career.
“These families will deal with your carnage forever,” Judge Gull told Allen. “You rank right up there with the most heinous crimes in the state of Indiana.”
Allen, 50, appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit, a gray sweatshirt, and ankle chains. His family was notably absent, and he showed no reaction to the sentencing.
Emotional Testimony from Family
The families of Abby and Libby broke their silence after enduring a gag order during Allen’s trial. Becky Patty, Libby’s grandmother, addressed Allen directly during sentencing.
“I hope he lives with the same fear he caused Abby and Libby in the last hour of their lives,” Patty said, adding, “I can never change my choice to let Libby and Abby go to the trails that day.”
Libby’s mother, Carrie Timmons, spoke about the lasting impact of the murders on her mental health and the family.
“I was blind that such evil existed,” Timmons said, describing her struggles with PTSD, depression, and guilt. She revealed that the family no longer celebrates Libby’s birthday, saying, “It’s just too difficult.”
Abby’s grandmother, Diane Erskin, called it “a day of great sadness” and reflected on how the murders took not only Abby’s life but also the dreams of future generations.
“I’ve watched her friends graduate college and wonder how many great-grandkids were murdered that day, too,” Erskin said.
A Community Never Changed
The gruesome murders occurred on Feb. 13, 2017, while Abby and Libby were hiking along the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi. Prosecutors said the girls were stalked, kidnapped, and brutally killed, their bodies left in the woods.
The case captivated the nation after Libby’s phone captured video and audio of the suspect, later identified as Allen. The recording was instrumental in linking Allen to the crime, according to Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas McLeland.
“Libby had the wherewithal to pull out her phone … to know that something wasn’t right,” McLeland said after sentencing. “That recording was arguably the biggest piece of evidence we had.”
Allen, a local CVS worker and father, was arrested in 2022 after investigators linked an unspent .40-caliber round found near the girls’ bodies to his gun. Allen initially admitted to being on the trail that day but denied involvement in the murders.
Judge and Investigators Condemn Allen
Indiana State Police Lt. Jerry Holeman called the crime “brutal” and said Abby and Libby were “treated like animals.” He described Allen as manipulative, persuasive, and lacking remorse.
At sentencing, Judge Gull criticized Allen’s courtroom demeanor, saying, “You sit here and roll your eyes at me like you rolled your eyes at me through this trial.”
Sheriff Tony Liggett apologized to the families for the eight-year delay in achieving justice. “There will never be any closure in this case,” he said. “A form of justice was served, but it does not bring Abby or Libby back.”
Families Urge Respect and Privacy
The families and prosecutors urged the public to refrain from sharing leaked crime scene photos, calling it a revictimization of the families. McLeland said efforts are ongoing to keep autopsy photos and Allen’s mental health records confidential.
As the community seeks healing, Sheriff Liggett reflected on the tragedy’s long-lasting impact.
“These families will live every day without two of the most important people in their lives,” he said. “They’re missing milestones because a low-life coward decided to take their innocent lives.”
Background: Abby and Libby were killed after crossing the Monon High Bridge in Delphi. Moments before their deaths, Libby captured a photo of Abby and recorded video of the suspect, now identified as Allen, instructing the girls to go “down the hill.”
The case, which went unsolved for five years, came to a conclusion with Friday’s sentencing, bringing some measure of justice for the victims’ families.
