INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Day nine in the trial of Delphi Murders suspect Richard Allen begins Monday morning at the Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi.

Allen, 52, is charged with murder and murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping in the deaths of 13-year-old Abigail “Abby” Williams and 14-year-old Liberty “Libby” German. The girls’ bodies were found near the Monon High Bridge near Delphi on Feb. 14, 2017, a day after they went missing.

Allen was first investigated in 2017 and again in October 2022. After a second police interview, he was taken into custody.

The trial began Oct. 18 and was expected to continue through mid-November. Originally, 16 Allen County residents sat as the jury on the case, but one juror was dismissed on Oct. 25.

Day 9 of the Delphi Murders trial was set to begin at 9 a.m. Monday.,

Tune into News 8 and follow our live blog throughout the day for the latest developments.

NOTE: The times listed in the blog headers are the times which the entries were added. Specific times for courtroom events will be listed in the entries if available. These notes are compiled from photographs of written notes provided by reporters in courtroom and emailed to the WISH-TV news desk.

For a brief summary of Day 8 in the Delphi Murders trial (Saturday), scroll to the bottom of the page.

To view all of our previous trial coverage, click here.

• More Delphi Murders trial on WISHTV.com

6:05 p.m.: Former CSI could not link Allen to crime scene

Court resumed at 4:30 p.m. following a quick recess.

Pat Cicero, a LaPorte County sheriff’s major with CSI experience, returned to the stand. State prosecutor James Luttrell began by questioning Cicero about his conclusions about the crime scene and specific details about the bodies.

Cicero told the jury he believed Abby Williams was killed while wearing the clothes she was found in, and said he wasn’t surprised that investigators didn’t predation on the bodies given the climate and temperature on Feb. 13, 2017. He added that he believed at least one person killed the girls, but couldn’t rule out that more may have been involved.

Defense attorney Jennifer Auger asked Cicero about his conclusions on blood found at the scene, asking him to explain how the blood could have transferred to where it did. Auger asked if the girls could have been lifted, and Cicero said “not necessarily,” including that “her body could have been turned.” He mentioned in earlier testimony that Libby’s body may have been moved, or dragged, after her death.

He confirmed to the court, though, that at some point, Libby German’s neck was above her head. Auger noted that it would have been “highly appropriate” to document any drag marks found at the scene in February 2017.

Auger asked Cicero if in all of the photographic evidence he reviewed, could anything link Richard Allen to the murders of Libby and Abby.

Cicero said no.

Luttrell redirected, to which Cicero explained his theory that Libby’s arm could have been used to pull her body, and that if she was dragged, her head would fall back.

Luttrell then asked if sexual assault could occur without leaving DNA and if Libby’s injuries were inflicted at the same time. Cicero said yes to the first question, and said the injuries would have been inflicted at different times.

Auger jumped in, remarking that Cicero “had no idea how that (blood) transfer got on that tree.”

“No,” Cicero said. “Could there have been other methods? Yes.”

“You can’t rule out that Abby and Libby were killed at the same time?” Auger asked.

“No, I can’t,” Cicero concluded.

5 p.m.: Court adjourns until Tuesday

4:59 p.m.: Former CSI says he believes Libby was moved after death

Following testimony from a DNA expert with the Indiana State Police, the state called Maj. Pat Cicero to the stand. Cicero is a LaPorte County sheriff’s major with previous experience as a crime scene investigator. Cicero said his specialty while as a CSI was blood stains.

Cicero explained to the jury how blood stains work and how investigators look at stain shape to pull information about the case. He also explained how CSIs reconstruct scenes.

Cicero was asked to assist with the Delphi murders until Feb. 12, 2024. He didn’t visit the scene until April 4.

The state shared a number of exhibits which showed stains found at the scene and a diagram of where the bodies were found. He pointed out a blood stain on a tree, explaining that it was a transfer stain. Transfer stains are left behind when a bloodied object comes into contact with another. After showing the jury the stains and explaining how CSIs use chemicals to make blood stains stand out, Cicero said all of the stains found at scene were transfer stains.

Cicero then explained the blood stains found on Libby German’s body, including a transfer stain on her foot, lightened blood on her face, and blood found on her thighs. Cicero said due to the altered blood patterns, he believes at one point Libby was sat upright, but then moved after dying. He also added that blood found on the tree belonged to Libby.

He said he did not believe Abby Williams was moved after injury. Williams did not have blood on her hands, which Cicero said could have been due to her possibly being restrained or unconscious.

4:34 p.m.: Expert says Richard Allen’s DNA was not found during testing

Court returned for the afternoon session at 1:38 p.m., and began with defense attorney Jennifer Auger cross-examining Stacy Bozinovski, a DNA expert for the Indiana State Police.

According to News 8’s Kyla Russell, Auger began by asking Bozinovski to explain what technology extracts DNA from hair strands without a root. Auger and Bozinovski spoke back and forth about the tech, which the expert said is being expanded and still not in full force. “(It’s) only being used for unidentified human remains,” Bozinovski said.

Auger asked about strands of hair being held at Bozinovski’s lab that have not been tested yet, and asserted that the testing should happen now as “Richard Allen is on trial and this is potential evidence.” Auger also asked if any hair samples from Allen have been submitted. The expert said no.

The two go back and forth about hair found in Abby Williams’ right hand and hair samples from Libby German’s sister and grandmother were only tested recently, with Auger mentioning the number of years that have passed since the murders.

Bozinovski later said the lab did not develop a DNA profile from an unknown male based on rape kits, despite mentioning they “had reason to believe from the case information that was provided that it was a male perpetrator.”

This means that Richard Allen is included in the profile.

Bozinovski said regarding the samples, the “majority of results can’t determine the amount of people contributing to DNA on the items.” Auger then questioned the contamination standards, referring to a black hoodie that was contaminated by a male. The expert said she had no male assistants and no one except from her touched it during her autopsy.

She said she reviewed DNA from items belonging to Richard Allen, and said she did not find any connection between Allen and the two girls. She also said there was not enough DNA on the unspent cartridge, or “magic bullet” found at the scene, to develop a DNA profile for anyone.

Following a few questions from prosecution and defense, the jury chimed in with questions about protocol was in place at the lab and how evidence is stored.

Bozinovski finished testifying just before 2:50 p.m.

New courtroom sketch released to public

12:48 p.m.: DNA expert continues her testimony

At 11:10 a.m. court is back in session. Stacy Bozinovski, a DNA expert for the Indiana State Police is on the stand. Bozinovski is looking at exhibits and describing what is seen. She is looking at three exhibits: a pink shirt, a grey bra and a black bra.

Bozinovski points out blood on the pink shirt and tells the jury that the grey bra and the black bra have possible blood on them.

She tells the jury that there were two strands of hair on the shirt, one was from Abby and the other strand did not have enough DNA to identify. The grey bra also did not have enough DNA to be conclusive.

Bozinovski tells the jury the black bra had four strands of hair and none of them had enough DNA to be conclusive.

The prosecution shows Bozinovski a black Nike shoe that was found under Abby’s back. She tells the jury there is hair on the shoe, which could be from an animal. She tells the jury the blood on the shoe was partially Abby’s, but the rest of the blood needed more analysis.

The prosecution shows the jury blood swabs from around the area where the bodies were found, specifically from the ground and tree. Five of the swabs were Libby’s blood from the ground, and 2 were from Abby.

More swabs were shown to the jury that had blood from Libby’s index finger and pinky.

The state shows the jury more clothing, including a sweatshirt, two socks, a green head scarf, a tank top shirt, the other black Nike shoe, a pair of jeans and a tie-dyed shirt, all recovered from the creek.

Bozinovski tells the jury the items from the creek impacted her analysis because the samples had degraded and DNA was partially removed.

She tells the jury the Nike shoe was heavily soiled, but contained no blood or seminal fluid. Only one swab had DNA and it was determined to be Abby’s.

The pair of jeans from the creek had two swabs done, found to be mostly Abby’s DNA and a small amount of Libby’s DNA on it.

Bozinovski tells the jury the tie-dyed shirt from the creek had many mud stains but no blood or seminal fluid. It had one hair strand on it, but it did not have enough DNA on it to determine its source.

She said the sweatshirt from the creek was cleaner than the other items in the creek but no blood or seminal fluid was on it, so DNA could not be determined.

On the pair of underwear found in the creek, she tells the jury there was no blood or seminal fluid found. Bozinovski told the jury that she took swabs from the crotch area. Those swabs showed Abby’s DNA. The tells the jury the underwear were stained, but not by blood.

Bozinovski tells the jury that the black sock from the creek had no blood or seminal fluid and she could not determine who the sock belonged to.

Bozinovski tells the jury that the pink sock found in the creek also had no blood or seminal fluid on it and had three hair strands on it, but she could not determine who they belonged to.

She told the jury that the green scarf from the creek “may not have been related to the timing of the crime.” She says there is no DNA on it.

Bozinovski tells the jury the tank top had no blood or seminal fluid, a swab was taken but could not determine DNA from a partial profile.

The prosecution references an April 11, 2017 DNA report that re-evaluated a black hooded sweatshirt and a swab from an Iphone. The jury is told the swab from the Iphone showed no blood and they could not make conclusions from the DNA.

Bozinovski tells the jury that 22 swabs were taken of the hooded sweatshirt, trying to avoid the blood. She says the first swab was consistent with an unknown male, later tests showed that DNA came from a person who worked in the forensic lab. The other swabs on the hooded sweatshirt showed DNA mostly from Libby and Abby.

Bozinovski told the jury “I found more DNA on the sweatshirt,” but that she could not determine the profile. She says laundry mixes DNA profiles.

The prosecution asks Bozinovski about the July 11, 2017 report on swabs from tree branches. She tells the jury these were done at the ISP post in Lafayette Ind. She says she converted a conference room into an exam room there. She tells the jury she examined branches for blood and skin cells and took several swabs and did lab testing at her main office.

Bozinovski said she found most of the branches did not have conclusive DNA and that 2 swabs tested positive for Libby’s blood profile.

Bozinovski told the jury how difficult it was to get swabs and recover DNA from the creek and says the challenge of testing hair was that it needs to have a skin tag at the root and that natural shedding doesn’t have much of a possibility for DNA testing.

She told the jury she did send a sample of human hair to the FBI that consisted of 72 hairs. The FBI told Bozinovski that 3 of the hairs were “not consistent” with Libby or Abby. She told the jury she chose not to test using “rootless” hair testing as there was not enough hairs to even send and there was a low success rate for the testing.

Bozinovski tells the jury that a momentary moment of touch does not necessarily mean there is touch DNA, that touching evidence is more limited contact, while handling evidence leads to more contact. She says blood is always going to be a better source of DNA than touch DNA.

The prosecution asks Bozinovski “Did you find the DNA of Richard Allen on the DNA samples submitted to you?” She replied no, she did not even create a male profile for any of the DNA.

Gull tells the gallery says she has noticed members of the gallery sleeping in the room and says she would appreciate if people stopped.

Court is in recess at 12:35 p.m.

9 a.m.: Court begins for Monday session

News 8’s Kyla Russell is back in Delphi for continuing coverage of the double murder trial of Richard Allen.

Follow Kyla on X for photos, recaps, and more from Delphi.

Court began at 9:01 a.m. Judge Gull says the jury had family time on Saturday and had access to their devices.

At 9:07 a.m., prosecution attorney James Luttrell began direct examination of ISB forensic scientist Stacy Bozinovski. Bozinovski specializes in paternity or kinship analysis.

Bozinovski tells the jury that the ISP lab is a nationally accredited team of experts. She describes the labs testing and quality assurance processes. She described DNA to the jury, how it functions and where it can be found in bodily fluids.

Bozinovski tells the jury that DNA can also be found in hair and skin cells but that it is most rich in blood and saliva. She says that DNA cannot be tested to see when it was deposited.

She describes to the jury the steps involved in testing for DNA and describes single source DNA and mixture DNA.

She describes a report she made in March of 2017 and her testing of two Indiana Sexual Assault Evidence kits.

Bozinovski tells the jury the details of how the kits were performed on both Libby and Abby. She tells the jury there was no seminal fluid detected and that the kits mostly excluded male NDA with the exception of one set of swabs and a fingernail scraping kit from each girl.

She told the jury the kits suggested a presence of male DNA but was insufficient for further analysis. She concluded that there was no male DNA or there was insufficient male DNA for further analysis.

Bozinovski tells the jury that at the time they were not performing confirmation tests and that it was a choice to preserve DNA material. Further results of DNA testing on cervical swabs on the girls showed no male DNA evidence.

She told the jury that the amounts of DNA detected wasn’t necessarily unusual. She says hands and fingernails in everyday contact with things like laundry and sharing of household items can sometimes show DNA under testing.

Bozinovski told the jury that genital swabs showed a very small amount of DNA and that she wouldn’t be surprised if that DNA came from clothing or previous contact.

Bozinovski described the testing of several other swabs introduced into evidence, several from Abby and Libby and some from trees. In all cases, she said zero or small amounts of male DNA was found.

Brief summary of Day 8 in the Delphi Murders trial

The court heard from one witness on Saturday, the eighth day of the Delphi Murders trial: Indiana State Police Lieutenant Jerry Holeman.

Holeman interviewed Richard Allen on Oct. 26, 2022. That’s less than two weeks after Allen’s Delphi home was searched and his car as well as several guns and phones were seized.

The recorded interview eventually led to Allen’s arrest.

Holeman started by explaining his technique for questioning a witness. He talked about the “common practice” of lying to suspects about the amount of evidence investigators have.

Holeman said he didn’t plan on arresting Allen at the start of the interview, but still read him his rights.

He said he asked Allen if anyone borrowed his car, clothes, or gun for long periods of time, to which Allen said “no.” Allen also denied having his firearm on him on Feb. 13, 2017, the day of the murders.

He then explained to Allen that a forensic report said the cartridge found at the scene had been cycled through his SIG Sauer P226. Allen had no explanation and said that was not possible.

Allen’s demeanor changed after that, according to Holeman.

Holeman then explained to Allen that there were witnesses who said he was the man in the “Bridge Guy” video. He said in court this was not true, but was used as a way to get a reaction from Allen.

Allen denied at least 20 times he was the killer and that his gun was there, according to Holeman.

“I am not going to tell you something I didn’t do…l don’t care what you do to me. I am not going to ever tell you something I didn’t do,” Holeman said Allen said in the interview.

Holeman said Allen confirmed he was on the Monon High Bridge on Feb. 13, 2017.

“I noticed a few signs of deception…very subtle,” Holeman said when asked about the interview.

After meeting with other investigators, Holeman determined Allen would be arrested, according to News 8’s Kyla Russell.

When asked by the defense if mistakes have been made with the investigation, Holeman responded, “There’s been mistakes, yes.”