Judge in Delphi murder case issues gag order on all parties
Jenny Goldsberry
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The judge in the case of two girls murdered in Delphi, Indiana, issued a gag order Friday.
This ruling comes after the defendant, Richard Allen, had his lawyers issue a press release Thursday proclaiming his innocence. Attorneys Andrew Baldwin and Bradley Rozzi claimed they issued the release after receiving so many media requests that it was “virtually impossible to comply” with them all.
Judge Frances C. Gull granted the state prosecutor’s motion in ordering the gag for all “parties, counsel, law enforcement officials, court personnel, coroner, and family members.” Gull has been assigned the trial since the previous judge, Benjamin A. Diener, recused himself last month.
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The press release answered many questions surrounding Allen’s arrest and the evidence that led to his affidavit. Allen’s lawyers clarified that he approached police when the investigation began five years ago to admit he was on the trail where the late Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, were last seen. Police allegedly did not contact Allen again until shortly before his arrest in October.
“In the 5+ years since Rick volunteered to provide information to the police, Rick did not get rid of his vehicle or his guns and did not throw out his clothing,” the press release read. “He did not alter his appearance; he did not relocate himself to another community. He did what any innocent man would do and continued with his normal routine.”
Baldwin and Rozzi went on to call for the probable cause affidavit to be unsealed. The court appointed both attorneys to Allen as public defenders.
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The gag order will be lifted after Carroll Circuit Court’s next court hearing on the matter on Jan. 13.