Delphi Murder Trial: Prison Staff Say Richard Allen Allegedly Confessed Multiple Times to Killing Libby German and Abby Williams

DELPHI, Indiana — Richard Allen’s alleged confessions in prison continued to dominate Wednesday.

Libby, 14, and her best friend Abbie Williams, 13, were walking along a walking trail in rural Delphi when their throats were slashed and left in the woods on February 13, 2017. Their bodies were found the next day.

Allen was arrested in 2022 and pleaded not guilty to murder. Allen was held at the Westville Correctional Facility for 13 months after his arrest.

A clinical psychologist who worked closely with Allen after his arrest testified Wednesday morning.

Dr. Monica Vala served as lead psychologist for the Indiana Department of Corrections.

Defense attorney Brad Rozzi established that Vala had long followed Allen’s case on podcasts, YouTube and Facebook and participated in true crime forums.

Vala closed her social media accounts after someone noticed that she was following the case so closely.

Vala said she first met Allen in November 2022, and he was frequently on suicide watch. Vala testified that they did not initially discuss the girls’ murders and urged Allen not to talk about the case with others.

On April 5, 2023, Vala stated that Allen confessed to the crime, saying, “I killed Abby and Libby. I’m really sorry”.

She said Allen also said he made sure the girls were dead so they wouldn’t get hurt. Allen told her he also wanted to apologize to the girls’ families.

Allen allegedly told a psychologist that he had a sex addiction and his intentions toward eighth-graders were sexual.

A clinical psychologist testified that Allen claimed he molested his sister and sexually experimented on children his own age when he was a child.

The suspect said he saw the girls on the trail and followed them to the bridge. Allen said he did something with his gun and thought that’s when the cartridge that was key evidence came out.

That’s when he ordered the girls to “come down the hill” and wanted to rape them. But he was spooked by a man or a van, and that’s when Allen ordered the girls across the creek, allegedly slit their throats, and then covered their bodies with tree branches.

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Allen said that after he killed the girls, he walked to his car and continued living his normal life until his arrest.

Vala noted that Allen seemed to feel “relieved” after making the confession.

The final piece of evidence of the morning was Vala going into more detail about Allen’s overall mental state, calling him “fragile” when he arrived in Westville.

The trial will continue Wednesday afternoon for the 11th day of the double murder trial.

Allen’s alleged prison confessions

Prison officials testified Tuesday about Allen’s numerous confessions and behavior while behind bars.

John Galipo, former warden of Westville Correctional Facility, spoke Tuesday.

Allen’s lawyers have repeatedly argued that he was mistreated there and called a “baby killer.”

Galipo testified that Allen was allowed to shower three times a week, provided three sets of clothing, had access to tablets and was given rest time five days a week in a locked room.

It was also revealed that Allen was on suicide watch.

On March 5, 2023, Galipeau told jurors that Allen had written to him requesting an interview.

The request stated that he wanted to confess to killing Abby and Libby.

The written note said: “I am ready to officially confess to the murders of Abby and Libby. I hope I have the opportunity to tell the families I’m really sorry.”

Galipeau also told jurors that Allen admitted to throwing a utility knife in a dumpster behind the CVS where he worked in Delphi.

Allen said he had worked at CVS since 2013 and before that for 10 years at Walmart.

Galipeau said Allen was quiet during his first month in prison and began acting “erratically” after receiving a letter from his lawyers. He said Allen began washing himself in the toilet, using the bathroom in his cell, tearing up mail and eating paper.

Several other Westville Correctional Facility officers also testified that Allen confessed to the killings on multiple occasions.

Corrections officer Michael Clemons told jurors he was Allen’s “suicide product.” He was tasked with recording everything Allen said and did during the suicide watch.

Clemons told the court on April 6, 2023, that Allen confessed to killing the girls.

Clemons said he wrote into his notes Allen’s words: “I’m so glad no one gave up on me after I killed Abby and Libby.” Clemons said Allen also said, “I, Richard Matthew Allen, killed Abby and Libby myself. Nobody helped me.”

Clemons said Allen also yelled at other inmates, “I’m not crazy, I’m just acting like I am.”

During cross-examination, Clemons testified that he never believed Allen’s behavior was sincere.

Defense attorney Brad Rozzi asked Clemons, “Can prison get to a person?” Clemons admitted, “Yes, it can.”

Corrections Officer Ethan Drang also spoke to the jury and told jurors that Allen confessed to him on April 5, 2023.

Drang said Allen told him, “I think being in prison has cured me of depression and anxiety.”

Correctional officer Michael Roberts was also Allen’s suicide accomplice.

Roberts kept a detailed log of the confessions he said he heard.

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On April 7, 2023, Roberts wrote at 12:34 pm to Allen: “Dear Lord, Forgive me for harassing Abby, Libby, Kevin and Chris. I want to confess. I know much more.”

On April 23, 2023, Roberts recorded in his journal that at 2:00 p.m. Allen said, “I killed Abby. And Libby. My wife was not involved in this. I want to confess.”

Then, on April 26, 2023, Roberts wrote that Allen said, “Can I talk? Can you listen, I killed Abby? And Libby? How can I prove that I’m crazy?

On June 18, 2023, Roberts noted that at 3:30 p.m. Allen said, “Why are you doing this? Do you know God? Do you know why I’m here? I killed Abby and Libby.”

Roberts said he saw outrageous acts to get the attention of the guards watching over him. He went on to say that he believed Allen was simply faking it and was not simply suffering from a mental health crisis.

During cross-examination, Roberts was pressed about Allen’s behavior behind bars. Defense attorney Brad Rozzi asked if Roberts had received any formal mental health training, to which Roberts responded only with what was provided by the state.

Roberts said Allen began smearing feces around his cell and applying it to his face.

Roberts also testified that he remembers Allen hitting his head against a wall for a long time at one point, causing his face to turn black and blue.

He also told the court that Allen refused to eat in some places for long periods of time.

Roberts acknowledged that some of Allen’s “fellow suicides” were returning to the prison population and spreading information about the murder suspect.

Correctional officer John Miller also testified; Allen expressed his desire to “burn in hell” after confessing to the murders.

Miller said Allen said he molested his sister and may have even touched his daughter.

Miller testified that Allen had an erection as he talked about all this.

Allen’s mouth was wide open and his eyes appeared surprised by the remarks, Miller testified Tuesday.

Miller went on to say that Allen said on April 9, 2023 at 6:56 a.m., “I only killed them to give my family more time to be free.” Then at 7:58 Allen said, “I’m sorry I killed those kids… I may have touched my daughter, I can’t remember.”

Jurors asked Miller if it was okay to act like Allen by refusing his medications. Miller replied, “It’s possible.”

Corrections Officer Brandon Fisher testified that on April 29, 2023, Allen not only confessed to the murders, but also gave some details about what happened.

Fisher said Allen wanted to rape the girls but panicked and ended up killing them. Allen allegedly told Fisher that he killed the girls with a utility knife and threw it in a dumpster behind the CVS.

After 13 months, Allen was transferred to Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Westville. Jason Bedwell, a corrections officer, was called to the stand.

Bedwell testified on February 4, 2024: Allen again confessed to the murders, crying and talking to himself. Bedwell said: “I regret what I did. Sorry for killing them.”

Also Monday, Indiana State Police forensic scientist Stacy Bozinowski said no DNA links Allen to the murder scene in Delphi, Indiana.