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Jurors in Delphi Murder Case Examine Video Evidence
DELPHI, Ind. (CBS) — The trial concerning the murders of two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana, took a significant turn on Tuesday as jurors were presented with critical evidence from the victim’s smartphone.
Richard Allen, 52, faces four murder charges tied to the deaths of Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty “Libby” German, 14, whose bodies were discovered in February 2017. On this day, jurors were shown an extended version of a video captured by Libby’s phone moments before the tragic event, which depicts a man believed to be the suspected perpetrator walking on a nearby bridge.
During the proceedings, a digital forensic analyst explained the process of extracting the video data from Libby’s phone, emphasizing the technological aspects involved. Lead crime scene investigator, Brian Olehy, also brought several important items from the crime scene to the court, though these pieces of evidence were not displayed to the jury, as reported by CBS affiliate WTTV in Indianapolis.
Throughout the cross-examination, defense attorney Brad Rozzi probed Olehy about the possibility of DNA evidence linking Allen directly to the crime scene. Olehy stated that he was not aware of any DNA indications connecting Allen to the site of the murders. He speculated on the condition of the victims, pointing out that branches found on their bodies seemed to have been intentionally placed to obscure them. Olehy mentioned that investigators could not confirm the order of events leading up to the crime and acknowledged that they did not conduct tests on the sticks discovered alongside the victims.
Additionally, a single unspent bullet found at the scene was highlighted as a pivotal element in the prosecution’s case against Allen.
Moreover, testimony was provided by Railly Voorhies, a 16-year-old student who recalled encountering a “disturbing” man near the Freedom Bridge on the day of the incident. She affirmed that the video image of the man captured on Libby’s phone matched the individual she encountered. Another witness, Betys Blair, corroborated this account, having also seen the man on the bridge, as reported by WTTV.
Continuing Developments in the Case
The Delphi murder case continues to unfold, with each hearing shedding light on the tragic events and the ongoing quest for justice for the young victims. Jurors approach the evidence with the responsibility of determining the truth amidst complex testimony and intricate details surrounding the investigation. Further proceedings are expected to delve deeper into the circumstances of the case, reinforcing the judicial process’s role in addressing this horrific crime.
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