INDIANAPOLIS — 13News has learned more information about jury selection and logistics for the upcoming Delphi murders trial.
Special judge Frances Gull told 13News she expects jury selection to take approximately three days when the trial for defendant Richard Allen begins in Fort Wayne on May 13. She said the jury would then be sworn in on the fourth day, with opening statements beginning by Day 5. That means the jury could start hearing testimony on Friday, May 17.
After jury selection, the actual trial phase of the proceedings will take place at the Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi. Gull confirmed Allen’s trial will take place six days a week — Monday through Saturday — if there are no religious objections from any of the jurors.
She said the jury will hear testimony from roughly 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day of the trial. The Carroll County Courthouse closes at noon on Wednesdays, but the judge plans to keep the trial going on Wednesday afternoons through the end of the day.
The judge has scheduled three weeks for the entire trial and expects it to be completed by May 31. So far, she has not approved any media requests for cameras in the courtroom.
The jury (including several alternates) will be from Allen County, and jurors will be transported 100 miles to Delphi for the trial.
They will be sequestered the entire time.
Court staff told 13News that arrangements have already been made for jurors to be lodged at a hotel close to Delphi. Their meals and activities will also be provided and paid for by Carroll County.
Each juror will receive $80 per day for the first five days of the trial. After that, they’ll earn $90 per day for their service. Those rates are set by state law.
13News has confirmed the Allen County clerk has sent jury questionnaires to 600 Allen County residents for the Delphi murders trial. The jury will be chosen from among those 600 people in what is widely considered to be one of the most high-profile murder trials in state history.
Allen is charged with the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German. The teenagers were found murdered near the Monon High Bride in Delphi in February 2017. Allen and his attorneys maintain he is innocent and was not involved in the killings.