Oct 14, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Day one of the Delphi double homicide trial ended in Allen County court with 14 people selected for the jury: six men and eight women. However, a source told WANE 15 that one of the selected jurors will be dismissed, leaving 13 people on the jury. That dismissal could potentially still be discussed when court resumes Tuesday. Sixteen people in total need to be seated: 12 jurors and four alternates. Richard Allen is accused of killing Abby Williams and Libby German in 2017 in Delphi near the Monon High Bridge. He was arrested in 2022. Abby Williams (left) and Libby German (right)/Courtesy: Family Before juror questioning began, both the prosecution and defense had about five minutes for opening statements. The prosecutor said this case comes down to three things: "Bridge guy," a bullet and the brutal murder of two girls and that Richard Allen is the "bridge guy." He continued to say that the jury will hear confessions from Allen that not only say he committed the crime, but describe how he did it. Prosecutors say a bullet found at the crime scene is from a gun owned by Allen. Richard Allen, photo taken in Allen County on October 14, 2024 The defense's opening statement told the potential jurors that they'll hear confessions Allen made while in prison, but said prison conditions led to "false confessions" and the medical evidence doesn't support his confessions in which Allen reportedly says the girls were shot, raped and buried in a shallow grave. A total of 52 potential jurors were called for questioning Monday. In groups of 12, they were called up to the jury box. Both the prosecution and defense had 30 minutes to question the potential jurors. Many questions surrounded a person's ability to understand the state's burden of arguing the case "beyond a reasonable doubt." Jurors were also often asked if previous biases can be put aside to be a fair and impartial juror. Richard Allen appeared in Allen County court Monday wearing a light blue/purple collared shirt. He was not cuffed. He mostly maintained a serious expression, but smiled in conversations with his attorneys at least three times. Court started promptly at 9 a.m. and there was only one ten-minute recess. Court adjourned just before 5 p.m. In the first round of questioning potential jurors, six people were seated to the jury: four women and two men. In the second round, another four people were selected: two men and two women. The third round only had one woman selected. In the fourth round, two men were selected. The fifth round only had four people called into the jury box, because only four people were left from the morning group of 52 potential jurors. One woman was selected from those four. That is a total of 14 people: six men and eight women. It's not clear if the seated juror who may be disqualified is a man or a woman. The people seated on the jury include a nurse, a school district transportation employee, a school counselor, a man wearing a FedEx jacket who said he was a driver, and a Seminary professor. There was another group of around 50 potential jurors waiting in the courthouse on Monday to be called into the courtroom. That group will now come back Tuesday morning and the questioning will resume. Attorneys only need to pick two, or possibly three, more jurors. While three days were allotted for jury selection, if it ends early, Judge Fran Gull said the trial will not start early. Jurors will report back to Allen County on Thursday to be sworn in. They will then be transferred to Carroll County, where they will be sequestered for the duration of the trial. Opening arguments in court will then start Friday morning in Carroll County. The trial is scheduled to last until November 15.
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