Delphi, Ind. — In a recent court filing, the defense representing Richard Allen, the suspect in the Delphi murder case, has expressed their belief that investigators have revisited the theory suggesting Abby Williams and Libby German were victims of a ritualistic sacrifice.
Allen's legal team outlined their rationale in a motion submitted on Monday, urging Judge Fran Gull to establish a deadline for the prosecution to disclose all evidence in their possession pertaining to their client.
According to the defense, they have recently received a series of audio files containing interviews conducted by the Indiana State Police in August, involving individuals purportedly affiliated with an Odinist cult.
The Odinism theory was initially introduced by Richard Allen's lawyers in a comprehensive 130-page memo filed in mid-September. Odinism, an ancient Nordic religion also known as Asatru, encompasses various practices, including some instances of animal sacrifice and ritualistic acts. In recent years, extremist groups have appropriated this religion, giving rise to a racially charged ideology.
Allen's attorneys assert that adherents of Odinism "ritualistically sacrificed Abigail Williams and Liberty German." They cite specific details from the crime scene, emphasizing the deliberate arrangement of tree branches around the victims.
Among the recent evidence related to Odinism, the defense claims to have received search warrants for phone and internet records of an unidentified individual who purportedly confessed to the crime. This individual provided details about the crime scene not disclosed to the public.
Additionally, Allen's legal team notes that a Purdue University professor, previously dismissed as an expert in Odinism theory, was re-interviewed by investigators last month, suggesting a potential shift in investigative focus.
The defense has referred to this as "missing Odinite evidence," which was only provided after the initial round of depositions. They emphasize the need for a deadline (no later than Nov. 1) for the prosecution to disclose their evidence against Allen, expressing concerns about an ongoing influx of potentially exculpatory evidence.
Without a defined timeline, the defense argues that they would face significant challenges in conducting depositions and preparing for the trial. Richard Allen's trial is slated to commence in January 2024.