The latest coverage of the Richard Allen trial

In a detailed theory that Judge Frances Gull has so far not allowed into evidence, the defense claims that Abby and Libby’s murders showed signs of ritualistic sacrifices. The limbs allegedly mounted on their bodies, the defense says, resembled runes and symbols linked to Odinism, an ancient Norse mythology sometimes hijacked in modern times by white supremacists.

Datzman denied that it was a mistake not to take the sticks as evidence, but admitted that he returned on March 3 – more than two weeks later – to collect the same items from the crime scene on orders from an ISP superior. He used photos taken on February 14 to ensure he collected the same sticks.

“We examined the sticks and saw no blood or anything on them,” Datzman said, also noting that the sticks were rough and brittle. “So in all of our experience, we’ve never gotten any DNA from a surface like this. We didn’t believe it had probative value.”

The defense noted that local police officers may have carried the same Sig Sauer that Allen possessed, attempting to discredit important evidence that allegedly linked Allen to the crime scene. But two ISP investigators said Monday that they did not carry their weapons into the woods and that Page had a 9 mm gun, not a .40 caliber.

Monday’s trial didn’t end until 5:45 p.m., and the judge ended Olehy’s testimony prematurely because she was aware that the jurors had faced a tiring day. The state will continue its direct cross-examination of Olehy on Tuesday before the defense responds with its cross-examination. The coming days will also bring photographic evidence of the girls’ autopsies.

Testimony continues with angry defense interrogation

Under cross-examination by defense attorney Bradley Rozzi, Sgt. Jason Page, a crime scene investigator with the Indiana State Police, acknowledged that he is not aware of any DNA evidence linking Allen to the crime scene.

Rozzi cited the “unique circumstances” of the crime scene and asked Page if he had ever been to a crime scene where “sticks (were) arranged on the body like that.”

“Are you asking my opinion?” Page responded, adding that it would be “reasonable” to think that humans placed these sticks in the girls’ bodies.

The hour-long interrogation became irritating at times, with Page appearing very stiff and apparently impatient with Rozzi.

“You’re asking me questions that are outside of my knowledge base in this particular case,” Page said after Rozzi asked how long DNA tests take to process.

Duane Datzman, a former Indiana State Police crime scene investigator, testified about the discovery of evidence linking Allen to the crime scene: an unspent bullet that prosecutors said was fired through the same Sig Sauer, model P226, .40 caliber pistol that Allen owned.

Datzman said he “kept seeing glow” on the leaves not far from the bodies.

“Underneath these sheets,” he testified, “we found a .40 caliber cartridge.”

At one point during Datzman’s testimony, photos of the bodies were shown again.

Kelsi Siebert, Libby’s older sister, closed her eyes as she placed her left hand on her chin. One of the jurors, an older man with glasses, put his hand over his mouth, his face red, as a close-up of Abby’s throat was shown.

The expected cost of Richard Allen’s trial has doubled to $4.3 million. That equates to about $200 for every Carroll County resident.

Earlier this month, the Carroll County Board approved an additional $2.2 for testing, Carroll County Auditor Beth Myers confirmed, although she was unsure how that money would be allocated. This is in addition to the $2.1 million the council allocated in June.

A good portion of the money will likely be used to house, feed, transport and entertain the 12 jurors and four alternates selected in Allen County, about a two-hour drive from Delphi. The 16 Allen County men and women are sequestered in a Carroll County-area hotel during the trial, which is expected to end in mid-November.

Delphi crime scene photo shocks court, provokes gasps and apologies

At one point, someone pressed the wrong button and a close-up of Libby’s bloodied face was projected prematurely into the courtroom.

Sergeant Jason Page, a crime scene investigator with the Indiana State Police, arrived at the crime scene on February 14, 2017. He described the area that had been cordoned off as being approximately the size of a football field. The area around the bodies, he said, was called “ground zero.”

Libby’s left hand was extended above her head, while her right hand was at her side. She had blood all over her neck and face and bloodstains on her right leg, said Page, who examined about 1,000 crime scenes, including about 100 that involved murders.

Branches were displayed on both girls’ bodies, but Libby also had a large member on top of her from her left shoulder down her body, Page testified.

Abby, who was fully clothed, was wearing a dark blue sweatshirt, Page said. She was lying on her back, with her right knee slightly bent and her right foot tucked under her left leg, just below her calf.

Prosecutors projected images of the crime scene and surrounding area — 40 in total — as Page explained each photo. At one point, someone pressed the wrong button and a close-up of Libby’s bloodied face was projected prematurely into the courtroom.

People in the gallery, including family members, were stunned.

Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy Darron Giancola was off duty on February 13, 2017, but decided to help with the search after learning about the missing teens on social media. He looked for the girls until 2 am

Giancola testified that they concentrated on the southeast side of the bridge, where he noticed that the leaves had been moved as if someone had slipped. The next day he left again. He was told to go to a nearby cemetery, north of where the girls’ bodies were located.

When he arrived at the cemetery, “everyone was pointing at the water,” Giancola said. “I saw a multicolored shirt and sneakers.”

The shoe was black and white and was floating upside down in the nearby creek.

“One of the investigators on our side of the creek believed the bodies were behind us,” Giancola testified.

Then, he said, he saw the girls.

“One (Libby) was naked, the other (Abby) was fully clothed,” said Giancola, who was one of the first officers to see the girls. “They both had a substantial amount of blood in and under their bodies.”

Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland asked if he attempted to perform any type of first aid. Giancola said no.

“It was clear they were deceased,” he said.

As Giancola testified, Allen, who appeared in court wearing a blue striped shirt and khaki pants, rocked slightly back and forth in his seat. At one point, defense attorney Andrew Baldwin placed his arm on the back of Allen’s chair.

During questioning, Baldwin asked if the clothes were wet. Giancola said the clothes Abby was wearing looked wet.

Defense attorneys for the man accused of murdering two Delphi teenagers are trying to block video from one of the girls’ phones that shows a suspect who became known as “Bridge Guy.”

In a motion filed Sunday, Oct. 20, attorneys asked the court to prohibit testimony “as to the words and sounds allegedly contained in the video,” referring to footage taken from Libby German’s cellphone after she and her friend, Abby Williams, were found dead.

The short video shows a man in a blue coat and jeans walking along the Monon High Bridge, which the girls passed by on Feb. 13, 2017. The footage became one of the most recognizable pieces of evidence during the years-long investigation.

The footage also captures a voice saying “Down the hill”, another revelation from the video that sparked public interest, becoming the title of true crime programs and podcasts that discuss the case.

‘Bridge guy’ video: Delphi defense seeks to block cell phone video in trial