Delphi Murders: Suspect Confesses 61 Times To Girls’ Murders, Wife Says “Stop Talking!”
Digest
This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace focuses on the Delphi murders trial, where two young girls, Abby Williams and Libby German, were found dead. The episode features interviews with experts and witnesses, including the medical examiner, a forensic pathologist, and a psychoanalyst. The episode discusses the suspect's confession to the murders, where he confessed over 61 times to different people, including his wife and inmates. The episode also explores the details of the crime scene and the victims' injuries, including the differences in their wounds and the forensic pathologist's inability to determine the killer's handedness. The episode delves into the medical examiner's testimony, including the details of the autopsies performed on the victims, and the jury's reaction to the testimony. The episode explores the emotional impact of the trial on the jury, particularly their reactions to the families of the victims and the defendant. The episode also discusses the practice of allowing jurors to take notes during the trial. The episode focuses on the digital evidence, particularly the pings from the victims' phones and the significance of their altitudinal changes. The episode also discusses the missing phone of the suspect and the lack of information about its whereabouts. The episode highlights the significance of the blood saturation at the crime scene, suggesting it as the location of the murders. The episode also discusses the jury's questions about the crime scene and the potential for disturbance of the earth beneath the victims. The episode focuses on the eyewitness testimony regarding the "bridge guy" seen near the crime scene. The episode discusses the discrepancies in the witnesses' descriptions and the potential for confusion or manipulation. The episode explores the suspect's change in appearance, including weight loss and growing a goatee, potentially to avoid identification. The episode also discusses the suspect's multiple confessions to various people and the potential for imagination inflation. The episode discusses the defense's attempt to introduce the Odenism theory, claiming a ritualistic murder. The episode also explores the suspect's numerous confessions and the potential for them to be unreliable due to imagination inflation. The episode concludes with a reminder of the importance of justice and a tribute to a fallen American hero, Deputy Sheriff Daniel Oliver. The episode also emphasizes the ongoing coverage of the Delphi double murder trial.
Outlines
The Delphi Murders Trial
This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace focuses on the Delphi murders trial, where two young girls were found dead. The episode features interviews with experts and witnesses, including the medical examiner, a forensic pathologist, and a psychoanalyst. The episode discusses the suspect's confession to the murders, where he confessed over 61 times to different people, including his wife and inmates. The episode also explores the details of the crime scene and the victims' injuries.
The Autopsy and the Jury's Reaction
The episode delves into the medical examiner's testimony, including the details of the autopsies performed on the victims. The episode also discusses the jury's reaction to the testimony and their attentiveness throughout the trial.
The Emotional Impact of the Trial
The episode explores the emotional impact of the trial on the jury, particularly their reactions to the families of the victims and the defendant. The episode also discusses the practice of allowing jurors to take notes during the trial.
The Killer's Motivation and the Victims' Resistance
The episode explores the potential motivations behind the murders, with experts suggesting a sexual motive. The episode also discusses Libby's potential resistance based on her athletic background and the presence of a shoulder injury.
The Eyewitness Testimony and the Bridge Guy
The episode focuses on the eyewitness testimony regarding the "bridge guy" seen near the crime scene. The episode discusses the discrepancies in the witnesses' descriptions and the potential for confusion or manipulation.
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a reminder of the importance of justice and a tribute to a fallen American hero, Deputy Sheriff Daniel Oliver. The episode also emphasizes the ongoing coverage of the Delphi double murder trial.
Keywords
Delphi Murders
The Delphi murders refer to the 2017 killings of two teenage girls, Abby Williams and Libby German, in Delphi, Indiana. The case has gained national attention due to the lack of a suspect for several years and the release of a video of the suspected killer.
Bridge Guy
"Bridge Guy" is the nickname given to the suspect in the Delphi murders, based on a video recorded by one of the victims. The video shows a man walking on a bridge near the crime scene, and his identity has been a subject of intense investigation.
Odenism
Odenism is a pagan Norse religion and white nationalist group. The defense in the Delphi murders trial attempted to introduce the Odenism theory, claiming that the crime scene contained evidence of a ritualistic murder tied to this belief system.
Imagination Inflation
Imagination inflation is a psychological phenomenon where individuals develop false memories or exaggerate past events. The defense in the Delphi murders trial argued that the suspect's numerous confessions could be attributed to imagination inflation, suggesting that he may have been recounting details he had learned from media coverage or other sources.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is a branch of psychology that applies psychological principles to legal issues. In the Delphi murders trial, forensic psychologists were consulted to assess the suspect's mental state, the reliability of eyewitness testimony, and the potential for imagination inflation.
Digital Evidence
Digital evidence refers to any information stored electronically, such as data from phones, computers, and social media accounts. In the Delphi murders trial, digital evidence played a crucial role in the investigation, including the analysis of the victims' phone pings and the suspect's phone records.
Crime Scene Investigation
Crime scene investigation involves the systematic collection and analysis of evidence from a crime scene. In the Delphi murders trial, crime scene investigators played a vital role in documenting the crime scene, collecting evidence, and reconstructing the events leading up to the murders.
Autopsy
An autopsy is a medical examination of a deceased person to determine the cause of death. In the Delphi murders trial, autopsies were performed on the victims to determine the nature of their injuries and the time of death.
Forensic Pathology
Forensic pathology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the investigation of death. Forensic pathologists examine bodies, perform autopsies, and provide expert testimony in legal proceedings.
Q&A
What is the significance of the suspect's multiple confessions in the Delphi murders trial?
The suspect confessed to the murders over 61 times to various people, including his wife and inmates. While these confessions could be seen as strong evidence, the defense argued that they could be attributed to imagination inflation, a psychological phenomenon where individuals develop false memories or exaggerate past events.
How did the jury react to the medical examiner's testimony in the Delphi murders trial?
The jury paid close attention to the medical examiner's testimony, taking notes and studying exhibits. They also observed the families of the victims and the defendant, suggesting a deep engagement with the case and a desire to understand the details of the crime.
What is the "bridge guy" and what role does he play in the Delphi murders trial?
"Bridge Guy" is the nickname given to the suspect in the Delphi murders, based on a video recorded by one of the victims. The video shows a man walking on a bridge near the crime scene, and his identity has been a subject of intense investigation. The defense attempted to create doubt about the suspect's identity by highlighting discrepancies in eyewitness descriptions of "Bridge Guy."
What is the Odenism theory and why did the defense attempt to introduce it in the Delphi murders trial?
Odenism is a pagan Norse religion and white nationalist group. The defense in the Delphi murders trial attempted to introduce the Odenism theory, claiming that the crime scene contained evidence of a ritualistic murder tied to this belief system. The theory was ultimately rejected by the judge due to a lack of evidence.
What is the significance of the digital evidence in the Delphi murders trial?
Digital evidence, such as data from phones and social media accounts, played a crucial role in the investigation. The analysis of the victims' phone pings and the suspect's phone records provided valuable insights into the timeline of events and the suspect's potential movements.
How did the suspect's change in appearance affect the trial?
The suspect's change in appearance, including weight loss and growing a goatee, was seen as an attempt to avoid identification by eyewitnesses. This strategy made it more difficult for witnesses to confirm his identity and potentially weakened their testimony.
What is the potential impact of the suspect's confessions on the outcome of the trial?
The suspect's numerous confessions, while seemingly incriminating, could be challenged by the defense on the grounds of imagination inflation. The jury will need to carefully consider the reliability of these confessions and weigh them against other evidence presented in the trial.
Show Notes
On day five of Richard Allen's murder trial, jurors heard testimony from the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsies of Abby Williams and Libby German, as well as from a witness who saw the 'Bridge Guy' on the day of the murders.
Dr. Ronald Kohr, who previously reported that he believed two knives were used in the killings, testified that he now believes the 'serration' seen in some of Libby's wounds was likely caused by an element on the handle of the blade. Kohr suggested that a box cutter with an extra thumb grip could have been the sole murder weapon. This testimony surprised Allen's defense team and directly contradicted Andrew Baldwin's opening statement, aligning instead with the state's claim that Allen used a box cutter to slash the girls' necks.
Sarah Carbaugh, a lifelong Delphi resident who was walking her dogs on the afternoon of February 13, 2017, also testified about her sighting of the 'Bridge Guy.' She said she saw a man walking west on Country Road 300, covered in blood and mud, as if he had fallen on the trail. Carbaugh later recognized him from the video clip released from Libby's phone, but waited three weeks to report the sighting due to anxiety.
Allen's defense questioned Carbaugh about discrepancies in her description during cross-examination, noting that her recorded interview mentioned blood only once. Baldwin also pointed out unusual details in her description, including her remark about the man's "effeminate eyes." Carbaugh pushed back, reminding Baldwin that over an hour of her interview video had been accidentally destroyed.
Jurors have yet to hear testimony on Allen's 61 confessions. Among the hundreds of pages of court documents released since the start of the trial, a signed confession letter from Allen, stating, "I hope I get the opportunity to tell the families I'm sorry."
Joining Nancy Grace today:
- Philip Dubé – Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law; Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy
- Dr. Bethany Marshall – Psychoanalyst, Author – “Deal Breaker,” featured in hit show: “Paris in Love” on Peacock;, Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive
- Bill Daly – Former FBI Investigator and Forensic Photography, Security Expert
- Joe Scott Morgan – Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, “Blood Beneath My Feet,” and Host: “Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;” Twitter/X: @JoScottForensic
- Barbara MacDonald – Court TV Documentary Producer, Co-Host/Producer of HLN’s “Down The Hill Podcast” and Documentary, X: @NewsyBarbara
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