Man Charged In Delphi Teens' Slayings Begs Court For Public Defender

DELPHI, IND. — The Delphi man who was charged last month with murder in the 2017 slayings of two teenage girls has asked for a public defender to represent him after he wrote in a handwritten note that he cannot afford a private defense attorney.

Richard M. Allen wrote the letter to the Carroll County Court that was filed on Wednesday in which he threw himself at the mercy of the court in seeking a public defender. Allen, 50, was charged with murder in connection with the slayings of 13-year-old Abigail Williams and 14-year-old Liberty “Libby” German in 2017.

Prosecutors have not released much information about the slayings, which took place in 2017 when the two Indiana girls’ bodies were found near a hiking trail. Allen is scheduled to appear in court again on Jan. 13, with a trial scheduled to begin in March.

In his handwritten note to the court, Allen said he is “begging” the court for a public defender and cites the cost of hiring a private attorney to represent him. When he first appeared in court on Oct. 28, he said he asked to hire an attorney to represent him.

However, he wrote, “I had no clue how expensive it would be just to talk to someone,” Allen wrote. “I also did not realize what my wife and I’s immediate financial situation was going to be. We have both been forced to immediately abandon employment, myself due to incarceration, and my wife for her personal safety.”

Allen wrote that his wife was forced to move for her personal safety. Officials said that Allen was moved from the Carroll County Jail to another facility because of his personal safety. He said whatever money the couple does have will be needed to maintain their original home, Allen wrote.

“Again, I throw myself at the mercy of the court,” he wrote. “Please provide me whatever assistance you may.”

As Allen remains in custody awaiting trial, local police and prosecutors are continuing to seek public assistance in providing tips in the case of the slaying of the two girls. Any leads in the case can be sent to abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or called into the tip line at (765) 822-3535.

When asked if he presumed there were any other people involved, prosecutors said they would not assume anything and there was a reason why investigators are keeping the tip line open. But the prosecutor called Allen’s arrest and the charges being brought against him "a step in the right direction."