Delphi murders: State wants to keep widely circulated composite sketches out of trial

CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. – The state doesn’t want a pair of composite sketches that were highly publicized early in the investigation to be part of the Delphi murders trial.

On Monday, Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland filed a motion in limine asking the court to prohibit the admission of the sketches or any reference to them during the trial.

The motion refers to a pair of widely circulated composite sketches of the Delphi suspect. Law enforcement released two sketches—one in July 2017 and another in April 2019.

The second sketch showed a suspect who looked considerably younger than the person seen in the original one.

The sketches were based on the recollections of witnesses and were released to the public to generate tips about the February 2017 murders of Abby Williams and Libby German.

For several years, online sleuths attempted to match various suspects to the sketches.

McLeland’s motion argued that “a composite sketch is not relevant, admission would result in undue prejudice, confuse or mislead the jury, or is impermissible hearsay, and the witnesses who participated in the preparation of composite sketch(s) will not be presented by the State for the purpose of in-court identification of the defendant.”

McLeland went on to argue that the sketches were not related to the identification of Allen as a suspect and weren’t relevant to his trial, which started with jury selection this week in Allen County.

Allen is charged with four counts of murder in connection with the girls’ deaths near the Monon High Bridge.

McLeland argued that “the witnesses who assisted in the preparation of composite sketches of the Bridge Guy would testify that they did not see the person depicted in their sketch for a sufficient length of time to allow them to positively identify the defendant.”

He added that it was the state’s belief that Allen’s defense intended to “use composite sketches from the investigation as demonstrative evidence and for impeachment purposes.” The sketches were not “instrumental in identifying” Allen, McLeland wrote.

The motion contended that the “prejudicial effect” of admitting the sketches would far outweigh their “probative value” in court.

The motion asks the court to order the defendant, his counsel and witnesses to “refrain from mentioning, commenting, or making any reference whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, to composite sketches without first obtaining permission of the Court outside the presence and hearing of the jury.”

The motion is now one of several outstanding motions Special Judge Fran Gull must mull ahead of this week’s opening statements.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.