The Murder Sheet: The Delphi Murders - Richard Allen on Trial: Day Thirteen

Release Date: November 2, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of The Murder Sheet, hosts Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee delve into Day Thirteen of the trial against Richard Allen for the brutal murders of two young girls in Delphi. This trial has been a focal point in true crime circles, drawing significant attention due to its complex legal maneuvers and the intense scrutiny of both prosecution and defense strategies.

Overview of Day Thirteen

Day Thirteen marked a pivotal moment in the trial as it was the first full day of the defense presenting its case. Áine Cain and Brad Rosie (Kevin Greenlee) provide a comprehensive analysis of the day's proceedings, highlighting the defense's attempts to challenge the prosecution's strong case against Richard Allen.

Witness Testimonies

1. Christopher Goatee ([08:22])

Christopher Goatee, a police officer from the Hammond Police Department assigned to the GRIT (Gang Response Investigation Task Force), testified about his involvement in the case of the Delphi murders. Goatee discussed his collaboration with FBI Special Agent Adam Pole in conducting canvas interviews—essentially gathering data by interviewing residents in the area.

Notable Quote:

“He was answering questions. He was doing the minimum. But he clearly was not happy about this.” — Áine Cain ([06:10])

The defense attempted to undermine Goatee's credibility by pointing out discrepancies in statements, particularly concerning interactions with Brad Weber. However, their efforts seemed unprepared, failing to elicit significant doubt about the prosecution's case.

2. Max Baker ([44:30])

Max Baker, a recent IU graduate and legal assistant, presented a compilation of Richard Allen's behaviors from his time at Westville. He showcased footage from camcorders and security cameras, although legal restrictions limited the presentation of certain videos.

Notable Quote:

"Some of these videos are condensed or they're sped up at this point." — Brad Rosie ([47:05])

The defense faced challenges verifying the authenticity and relevance of the footage, leading to delays and failed attempts to present key evidence.

3. Brad Heath ([51:34])

Brad Heath, a retired exterminator, provided an alibi for the timeframe surrounding the murders. He recalled seeing a dark blue vehicle parked suspiciously near the Monon High Bridge between 8:45 AM and 4:00 PM on February 13, 2017.

Notable Quote:

“I saw a car parked... It looked out of place.” — Brad Heath ([51:32])

However, Heath's testimony did not align with the prosecution's timeline, as the vehicle was present after the estimated time of the murders, rendering his alibi ineffective in casting doubt on Allen's involvement.

4. Daryl Sterett ([67:00])

Daryl Sterett, a former volunteer fire chief, discussed the initial response efforts to the missing girls. He detailed the organized search operations conducted by the fire department in collaboration with local law enforcement.

Notable Quote:

“We feared that something had happened to the girls. They’d been swept downstream.” — Daryl Sterett ([68:55])

Sterett emphasized the challenges faced during the search, including environmental factors and coordination difficulties, which inadvertently supported the prosecution's argument about the time-sensitive nature of the investigation.

5. David McCain ([57:14])

David McCain, affiliated with Millennial Highbridge community projects, recounted his activities on the day of the murders. He stated that he was on the trail taking photographs between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM when he noticed a parked vehicle. However, his recollections were vague, leaving inconsistencies in his alibi.

Notable Quote:

“I didn't remember names of the people who interviewed me.” — David McCain ([60:05])

McCain's testimony mirrored that of Brad Heath, further weakening the defense's position by providing additional accounts that did not directly challenge Allen's presence at the crime scene.

6. Tob Lesnby ([90:36])

Tob Lesnby, the former Sheriff of Carroll County and now Chief Deputy, primarily addressed administrative aspects of the investigation. His testimony touched upon procedural details, including the accidental overwriting of crucial interview recordings.

Notable Quote:

“It matters essentially what the evidence is.” — Tob Lesnby ([86:56])

Lesnby's admission of lost interviews raised concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation but did not provide substantial evidence to exonerate Allen.

7. Steve Mullen ([77:20])

Steve Mullen, a former Delphi Police Chief, faced intense cross-examination questioning by the defense regarding the integrity of the investigation. The defense highlighted procedural lapses, such as unrecorded phone calls and lost evidence, to suggest possible mishandling by law enforcement.

Notable Quote:

“I thought I did.” — Steve Mullen ([81:38])

Mullen acknowledged earlier misconceptions about the number of individuals involved, which the defense leveraged to cast doubt on the prosecution's narrative.

Analysis and Insights

Áine Cain and Brad Rosie critically assess the defense's performance on Day Thirteen, expressing skepticism about their preparedness and strategy. They note that the defense's reliance on witness testimonies that do not directly challenge the prosecution's case appears unorganized and ineffective.

Key Points:

• Defense Preparedness: The hosts highlight apparent shortcomings in the defense's approach, suggesting that the witnesses presented did not robustly counter the prosecution's arguments.

• Prosecution's Strength: The prosecution's case remains strong, with substantial evidence and credible testimonies pointing towards Richard Allen's culpability.

• Judge's Rulings: Judge Go's decisions to limit certain testimonies and evidence presentations indicate a tightening of the trial's focus, potentially disadvantaging the defense's attempts to introduce alternative theories.

Notable Quote:

“It feels like they are not as prepared as they should have been for this trial.” — Brad Rosie ([40:59])

Notable Moments

• Unusual Courtroom Behavior: An incident where Richard Allen was seen pointing at the hosts during a break raised questions about his behavior and potential intimidation tactics.

  Notable Quote:

  “He might have been pointing at us.” — Brad Rosie ([42:54])

• Trail Camera Obsession: Both hosts and jurors fixated on trail camera footage, debating its relevance and the clarity it provides regarding the movements of suspects and witnesses.

  Notable Quote:

  “What's the reason for that question?” — Brad Rosie ([52:37])

Conclusion

Day Thirteen of Richard Allen's trial showcased the prosecution's robust case and the defense's struggle to present a coherent counter-narrative. Áine Cain and Brad Rosie convey a sense of disappointment with the defense's effectiveness, emphasizing the difficulty in establishing reasonable doubt against the strong evidence presented by the prosecution.

As the trial progresses, the hosts anticipate further analysis of upcoming testimonies and evidence, maintaining a critical perspective on the unfolding legal battle.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “Why get all your holiday decorations delivered through Instacart? Because maybe you only bought two wreaths but have 12 windows.” — Anya Cain ([00:00])

• “If they turn it around with some really great expert witnesses, we could be seeing like, okay, here's where they're going.” — Anya Cain ([06:14])

• “You have to be on. You have to be at their best doing just incredible work and blowing us all away.” — Brad Rosie ([06:49])

• “Most people who disagree have not been sitting in this courtroom.” — Brad Rosie ([07:31])

• “It was a very interesting case because sometimes people in psychosis will actually be telling the truth about what happened.” — Dr. Deanna Dwanger ([34:57])

• “This was a bad day for the defense. It doesn't get better from here, folks.” — Brad Rosie ([66:13])

Final Thoughts:

Hosts Áine Cain and Brad Rosie provide a thorough examination of Day Thirteen, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of the trial. Their insightful commentary underscores the challenges faced by the defense in countering a well-substantiated prosecution case, leaving listeners poised for the continuing developments in this high-profile trial.