Delphi murders: Prosecutor objects to defense request to take jurors to crime scene

CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. – The prosecution doesn’t want jurors in the Delphi murders case to visit the crime scene firsthand.

Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland filed an objection to a defense motion asking that jurors “be transported to the Freedom Bridge, the Monon High Bridge and to the site where the bodies of the victims were located, as well as the site of the old CPS building where the prosecution claims Richard Allen’s vehicle was parked between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2017.”

In his objection, McLeland wrote that the area was difficult to traverse, and the trip would require a “substantial amount of time and resources.”

He also expressed concerns that such a trip would encroach on the private property of two landowners and noted that the area was “substantially different” from when Abby Williams and Libby German were killed in 2017.

McLeland said the state planned to introduce numerous exhibits showing the layout of the crime scene, including maps and drone footage. He believes any benefit to having the jury visit the scene is “outweighed by the dangers such a trip presents to the Jury and to the fairness of the trial.”

He asked the court to deny the motion.

“[T}he State does not believe it is proper to have the Jury view the scene or the other various areas,” McLeland wrote.

Special Judge Fran Gull took the defense motion under advisement pending the state’s response and a hearing to be conducted once jury selection wraps up.

Richard Allen faces four counts of murder in connection with the teens’ deaths near the Monon High Bridge. Indiana State Police announced his arrest in October 2022.

His trial is scheduled to start on Oct. 14 with jury selection in Allen County. Jurors will be transported to Carroll County for trial itself.

In a separate filing, the prosecution submitted a motion in limine regarding a witness the defense planned to call regarding ballistics evidence. The state requested a hearing outside the presence of the jury to determine if the witness’ testimony was relevant to the case.

The prosecution contended the witness was not an expert in the field of firearms examination and questioned his ability to testify about ballistics evidence. An unspent round ejected from a gun owned by Allen is a key piece of evidence in the case as laid out in the probable cause affidavit.

In other legal maneuvering, the defense filed a motion to compel seeking to force law enforcement officers to answer certain questions they declined to answer in their depositions.

The state argued that Department of Correction personnel at the center of the request were protected by attorney-client privilege. Other aspects of the depositions involving investigators constituted trial strategy and the defense was not entitled to the information, the state argued.

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