The interview that preceded Richard Allen’s arrest in the Delphi murders is recalled

DELPHI — Exactly two years after police made an arrest in the murders of Delphi teens Abigail “Abby” Williams and Liberty “Libby” Herman, a lieutenant is speaking out about an interview they say helped bring the suspect into custody.

Lt. Jerry Holeman returned to Carroll County District Court on Saturday for the trial of Richard Allen to recount his conversation with the Delphi man on Oct. 26, 2022.

Allen, 52, is accused of killing two teenagers who went missing on Feb. 13, 2017, and were found dead the next day. He was arrested in 2022 and faces two counts of murder and two counts of murder in kidnapping. Williams and Herman.

Holeman recalled bringing Allen in for questioning about an unspent cartridge found near the girls’ bodies, key evidence in the case.

During the interview, Holeman said he asked Allen how the bullet at the scene related to the gun found in his home. Allen had no explanation, Holman said.

Allen went on to say that no one ever borrowed his Sig Sauger firearm, his clothing or his car, Holeman said. Allen also said he did not have a gun with him when he went onto the trail on Feb. 13, 2017.

Holeman said Allen’s demeanor during the interview was initially “calm and normal” but then became increasingly agitated as he continued to be questioned about the round. Holeman said Allen also showed signs of lying, such as looking down and touching his face. He admitted the signs were “subtle”.

Towards the end of the interview, Holeman said he told Allen that he and Allen’s wife didn’t think he was a bad person, to which Allen responded, “What good man would kill two girls.”

Andrew Baldwin, one of Allen’s lawyers, noted during cross-examination that Holeman looked down during his testimony, noting whether that was a sign of deception.

Baldwin also noted that the beginning of Allen’s 2022 interview was not recorded due to technical difficulties, saying it was one of “many missing videos” from the case. He also asked Holman about the possibility of more than one person being involved, and whether the voice heard in the “Bridge Guy” video was from someone not in the picture.

The trial will resume on Monday after a break on Sunday.

Friday, October 25: Jurors in Delphi heard from an expert who tied Allen’s gun to an unspent cartridge at the crime scene.

Thursday, October 24: Richard Allen was not on Delphi’s radar. Then the volunteer found a box of tips.