DELPHI, Ind. — The suspect in the Delphi murders case could face additional charges for his alleged role in the killings of 14-year-old Libby German and 13-year-old Abby Williams in 2017.
Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland filed the request to amend the charges against Richard Allen on Thursday, Jan. 18 — the same day the Indiana Supreme Court heard arguments in the Delphi murders case.
Here are the new charges Allen could face:
- Two counts of murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping (previously filed Oct. 28, 2022)
- Two counts of murder
- Two counts of kidnapping
In his motion, McLeland said the amended charges "more accurately aligns the charging information with the cause's discovery and probable cause affidavit."
With the trial scheduled to begin in October 2024, McLeland says in the motion that the defense has "adequate time to prepare to defend the amended charges."
German and Williams went missing Feb. 13, 2017, after they were dropped off by a relative near the Monon High Bridge. When the relative returns hours later to pick the girls up, they were nowhere to be found.
The following afternoon, on Feb. 14, 2017, two bodies were found in a wooded area along Deer Creek, northeast of the Monon High Bridge.
On Feb. 15, 2017, authorities identified the bodies found were German and Williams'.
Following multiple suspect sketches and releases of audio recordings and a Snapchat video of the suspected killer, police finally made an arrest on Oct. 26, 2022.
Police arrested Allen, and prosecutors charged him Oct. 28, 2022, on two counts of murder.
RELATED: Attorneys for Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen file motion to move him to different prison
During Thursday's hearing in the Indiana Supreme Court, civil attorneys on behalf of Allen argued the following three points:
- Reinstate Allen’s original public defenders, attorneys Andrew Baldwin and Bradley Rozzi
- Replace special judge Frances Gull with a different judge for the remainder of the case
- Set a speedy trial date within 70 days
The Indiana Supreme Court justices are reviewing the arguments heard Thursday and did not share when they would reach a decision.