Murder Sheet Podcast Summary: "The Delphi Murders: The Evidence"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Murder Sheet
- Hosts: Áine Cain (Journalist) and Kevin Greenlee (Attorney)
- Description: The Murder Sheet offers in-depth, journalistic coverage of true crime cases, including high-profile murders, cold cases, legal analyses, and interviews with experts and authors.
Episode Overview: In this compelling episode, hosts Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee delve into the intricacies of the Delphi Murders case, focusing on the evidence that led to the conviction of Richard Allen. Recorded less than 24 hours after the jury's guilty verdict, the episode aims to clarify misunderstandings and dispel misinformation surrounding the case by meticulously reviewing the facts presented in court.
1. Introduction to the Verdict
Kevin Greenlee [01:54]:
“Already I'm seeing some confusion in social media and elsewhere where people don't really seem to understand why the jury reached the verdict it did... we thought it would be worthwhile to take an episode here where we just run through the basics of the case against Richard Allen so you will understand why the jury really had no choice but to come to this conclusion.”
The hosts begin by addressing the recent guilty verdict against Richard Allen, highlighting the public confusion fueled by inaccurate reporting and intentional misinformation. They emphasize their intent to provide a clear, evidence-based explanation of the case.
2. Key Evidence Against Richard Allen
a. Video Evidence
Kevin Greenlee [06:03]:
“The video that was shown in court, you can hear Libby making a comment about a gun.”
The episode revisits the pivotal video taken by Liberty German, one of the victims. Initially shaky and difficult to interpret, the enhanced version presented in court clarified critical details:
- Timestamp and Location: The video timestamped at 2:13 PM indicated the precise moment and place of the kidnapping on Monon High Bridge.
- Description of the Kidnapper: The perpetrator, dubbed "Bridge Guy," was identified by his attire—jeans and a blue jacket—but his face remained obscured.
b. Eyewitness Testimonies
Anya Kane [09:07]:
“There was a group that consisted of four girls... They see the person in the video and they identify that person as the person they see in the video.”
Multiple eyewitnesses corroborated the presence and identification of Bridge Guy:
- Group of Four Girls: Including Brianna Willibert, Anna Spath, and Rayleigh Voorhees, who confirmed seeing the same individual captured in Liberty's video.
- Betsy Blair: Observed a man matching Bridge Guy's description on Monon High Bridge's platform, reinforcing the alignment between the video evidence and eyewitness accounts.
c. Richard Allen’s Presence at the Scene
Anya Kane [11:48]:
“He comes forward, he calls in to the tip line and has a conversation with Dan Doolin... He claims that he was on the trails that day from about 1:30 PM to, I believe, around 3:30 PM.”
Richard Allen's actions post-murders further implicated him:
- Timing: Allen reported being on the trails during the critical time frame of the kidnapping and murders.
- Clothing: He stated he was dressed identically to Bridge Guy, placing him at the exact location where Betsy Blair saw Bridge Guy.
Kevin Greenlee [14:25]:
“Richard Allen is the only person who was there at the crime scene wearing the clothes of the killer. And a bullet from his gun was left between the bodies of these two girls.”
d. Car Footage and Identification
Anya Kane [14:25]:
“He had the only car of this specific make and model registered in Carroll county at the time, according to Bureau of Motor Vehicles records.”
Surveillance footage captured Allen's car approaching the trail area at 1:27 PM, approximately 45 minutes before the kidnapping. The detailed analysis matched the car uniquely to Allen, narrowing down the suspect pool significantly.
e. Ballistics Evidence
Anya Kane [15:38]:
“A bullet from his gun is left at the crime scene.”
Crucial forensic evidence tied Allen directly to the murders:
- Ballistics Testing: The bullet found between the victims' bodies matched Allen's firearm.
- Gun Access: Allen asserted that no one else had access to his gun, eliminating the possibility of another party using it.
f. Liberty German’s Phone Data
Anya Kane [19:37]:
“The phone is on the ground, presumably the shoes over it, things. It indicates that, in my view, that they were probably not alive much longer than that time.”
Health data from Liberty's phone provided additional timelines:
- Altitude Drop: Indicated movement consistent with being forced down a hill.
- Lack of Activity: No movement detected on the phone after 2:32 PM suggests the victims were incapacitated around this time.
g. Confessions by Richard Allen
Kevin Greenlee [20:56]:
“Richard Allen has confessed or made incriminating statements at least 61 times... these confessions are detailed and contain information that only the killer would know.”
Allen made numerous confessions to trusted individuals, including his wife and therapist. These confessions included specifics that were not publicly disclosed, further substantiating his involvement.
3. Defense Arguments and Hosts’ Rebuttals
a. Claims of Psychosis
Anya Kane [35:38]:
“Psychosis can absolutely make you say things that are not true, but they can't make you reveal details about the crime that are verifiable that no one but the killer knew.”
The defense suggested that Allen's confessions were unreliable due to alleged psychosis. The hosts counter this by arguing that psychosis cannot account for the specific, corroborated details Allen provided about the murders.
b. Alternative Explanations
Axia Kane [27:15]:
“You would have to imagine that someone else dressed exactly like Richard Allen... is nonsensical.”
The defense posited the possibility of another individual mimicking Allen's appearance and actions. The hosts dismantle this by emphasizing:
- Uniqueness of Allen’s Car: Only Allen had the specific vehicle matching the surveillance footage.
- Consistency Across Evidence: All evidence points singularly to Allen without any credible indication of another perpetrator.
4. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Kevin Greenlee [39:29]:
“Richard Allen is guilty. And on December 20, he is going to receive a sentence. I do not know what that sentence is, but I do predict he will never breathe a breath outside of a prison ever again.”
The hosts assert the overwhelming weight of the evidence against Richard Allen, stating unequivocally that the conviction was justified. They express dismay over attempts to undermine the verdict through misinformation and emphasize confidence in the jury's rational and evidence-based decision.
Anya Kane [49:35]:
“He should be in the prison system for the rest of his life.”
Áine and Kevin conclude by underscoring the importance of justice for the victims and their families, highlighting the dedication of law enforcement and legal teams in securing the conviction.
Kevin Greenlee [51:03]:
“We’re not going to succeed. Richard Allen is guilty.”
Áine agrees, noting the collective effort that led to Allen's conviction and expressing hope that future episodes will shed light on the heroic efforts behind the scenes.
Notable Quotes:
-
Áine Kane [24:22]:
“Richard Allen is the only person who was there at the crime scene wearing the clothes of the killer. And a bullet from his gun was left between the bodies of these two girls.” -
Kevin Greenlee [33:26]:
“You'd have to believe that by some bizarre coincidence, a car identical to Richard Allen was driving to the trails at the time Richard Allen said he was there in 2017.” -
Áine Kane [37:48]:
“It’s not just that he knew of a van being involved. He somehow knew of a van that just happened to be on that specific road, on that very seldomly traveled access road at a specific time while this crime was being committed.”
Final Remarks:
The "Murder Sheet" hosts effectively break down the complex web of evidence that led to Richard Allen's conviction in the Delphi Murders case. By meticulously addressing each piece of evidence and countering defense arguments, Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of why the verdict was both reasonable and justified. The episode serves as a testament to the power of cumulative evidence in criminal cases and the importance of clear, ethical reporting in the pursuit of justice.
