Delphi murders trial: Defense withdraws request for trip to crime scene; Gull hears motion on composite sketches

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. – Special Judge Fran Gull still has some outstanding business to settle ahead of the Delphi murders trial, with key court matters still under advisement.

Richard Allen is charged with four counts of murder in connection with the February 2017 deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German near the Monon High Bridge. He’s been in custody since Indiana State Police announced his arrest in October 2022.

With jury selection complete—jurors selected in Allen County will be transported to Carroll County and sequestered for up to a month—Gull heard from both the prosecution and defense on some outstanding matters facing the court prior to the trial.

One motion from the defense sought to have the jurors taken to the crime scene so they could get a firsthand look at the layout of the Freedom Bridge, the Monon High Bridge and the former CPS building nearby.

The defense withdrew its request during Thursday’s proceedings, meaning Gull didn’t have to issue a decision on the matter.

In its original motion, the defense argued such a trip would give the jury a greater understanding of the scene and how it related to the evidence presented during the trial.

The prosecution objected to the idea, writing in its response that such a trip would require a “substantial amount of time and resources.”

Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland said the state would introduce exhibits showing the layout of the scene, including maps and drone footage.

It ultimately became a moot point after Allen’s defense team rescinded the motion.

Gull, appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court to oversee the case after the original judge recused himself, had another matter to consider: a late motion from the state to prohibit a pair of composite sketches from being used at the trial.

Indiana State Police released the sketches two years apart, with the first one being revealed to the public in July 2017 and the second one being released in April 2019. Both became inextricably linked to the case.

They were based on the recollections of witnesses. For years, online sleuths attempted to match them to various suspects. The first sketch featured a man in a hat and a hooded sweatshirt, while the second sketch showed a much younger person.

Prosecutor Nick McLeland filed a motion seeking to have the sketches excluded from the trial, arguing that they were not used to identify Allen and had little bearing on the case against him.

In his motion, McLeland wrote that the sketches were irrelevant to the trial and expressed concerns that they could confuse the jury or result in undue prejudice. He asked the court to prohibit any mention of the sketches during trial.

After hearing the matter on Thursday, Gull didn’t issue a decision in court, telling attorneys she would take the motion under advisement.

Gull will allow guards and inmates to testify about Allen’s behavior and comments he made in captivity. She took another motion under advisement regarding an expert the defense planned to call to discredit ballistics analysis central to the state’s case.

Opening statements are scheduled to start Friday in Carroll County.

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