The day’s proceedings centered around the presentation of evidence related to Richard Allen’s interviews conducted in October 2022 and subsequent confessions made while in custody at the Westville Correctional Facility. Testimony from the former warden and several prison guards detailed Allen’s behavior and statements while in solitary confinement, leading to a compelling juxtaposition of his initial denials with later admissions of guilt.
Witness Testimonies and Interviews:
1. Richard Allen Police Interview Videos (October 13 & 26, 2022):
- Interview 1 (October 13, 2022):
- Allen voluntarily participated in the interview after being read his Miranda rights.
- He provided a detailed account of his whereabouts on the day of the murders, claiming to be at the Monon High Bridge trail from approximately noon to 1:30 pm.
- Allen stated he observed three girls on the trail.
- He denied any interaction with the victims and expressed concern about becoming a scapegoat for the crime.
- Initially, he agreed to allow a search of his phone and vehicle but later rescinded consent for the vehicle search, demanding a warrant.
- He was shown a photograph of the individual known as “Bridge Guy” from the victim’s video and denied it was him.
- Interview 2 (October 26, 2022):
- Allen appeared visibly more agitated and uncomfortable during this interview.
- Law enforcement asserted they had matched a bullet casing from the crime scene to his firearm and implied they possessed voice identification from the video (a claim later revealed to be untrue).
- Allen vehemently denied any involvement and expressed distress over the damage to his reputation.
- His wife was brought into the interview room, leading to an emotional exchange where she questioned how his firearm could be linked to the crime scene.
- The interview concluded with Allen demanding either to be arrested or allowed to return home.
2. John Galipeau (Former Warden, Westville Correctional Facility):
- Galipeau testified about the conditions of Allen’s confinement at the Westville Correctional Facility, including being housed in a 12x8 suicide watch cell in the maximum-security unit (referred to as “The Hole”) under constant surveillance.
- He confirmed that Allen was held in an observation cell under suicide watch for over a year in the maximum security area, despite being a pre-trial detainee.
- He also confirmed Allen confessed to him directly on two occasions, including a written confession (Exhibit #292) stating, “I’m ready to officially confess to killing Abby and Libby.”
- Cross-examination:
- The defense emphasized the unusual nature and potential detrimental effects of Allen’s prolonged solitary confinement (13 months) on his mental health, as well as the restrictive conditions of his confinement, including limited human interaction, minimal furnishings in his cell, and monitored showers.
- They also highlighted the former warden’s termination, suggesting a possible connection to the facility’s treatment of inmates, including Allen.
- Furthermore, they questioned the warden’s failure to document Allen’s confessions or inform the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, raising concerns about the handling of this crucial information.
3. Testimony of Department of Corrections Officers:
- Ethan Drang: Testified that Allen requested a Bible on April 5, 2022, and expressed a desire to confess to the murders.
- Cross-examination: The defense questioned why Allen would confess verbally after already submitting a written confession to the warden two days prior, implying potential coercion or inconsistencies in his statements.
- Michael Roberts: Recounted numerous confessions from Allen in early April 2023, often framed as pleas for divine forgiveness, and described Allen eating his Bible and engaging in other erratic behaviors.
- James Early: Testified about Allen’s erratic behavior, including consuming his Bible, drinking toilet water, smearing feces on himself, and self-harm. He believed Allen was feigning mental illness for attention.
- John Miller: Detailed further confessions from Allen in early April, some suggesting a desire for eternal punishment.
- Cross-examination: Defense questioned if Allen’s self-harming actions, such as banging his head on the wall, warranted sufficient concern.
- Brandon Fiser: Shared Allen’s detailed, but false, confessions from April 20, 2023, where he claimed to have used box cutters purchased from CVS as the murder weapon. The prosecution suggested this demonstrated insider knowledge of the case.
- Raymond Smith: Testified about confessions heard on April 10 and August 8, 2023, in which Allen confessed to the murders and expressed suicidal thoughts.
- Jason Bedwell (Wabash Correctional Facility): Offered a significant confession from a different facility on February 4, 2024, where Allen apologized for the murders, indicating further supposed admissions of guilt.
- Cross-examination: Defense emphasized that despite being at a different facility, Allen was still held in similar maximum security, solitary confinement conditions that may have induced false confessions at Westville.
Notable Courtroom Interactions:
- Juror Engagement: Jurors demonstrated active engagement by posing numerous pertinent questions throughout the proceedings.
- Juror Observing Kathy Allen: One juror appeared particularly focused on Kathy Allen’s (Richard Allen’s wife) emotional responses during the playback of the interviews and blood spatter testimony.
- Richard Allen’s Demeanor: Allen remained largely impassive and expressionless throughout the presentation of his interviews and testimony regarding his confessions. His wife, Kathy Allen, was visibly distressed and tearful for a significant portion of the day.
Overall Impression:
- The prosecution presented the interviews and confessions as pivotal evidence, arguing that Allen’s behavior demonstrated consciousness of guilt and a willingness to admit to the crimes.
- The defense strategically highlighted the potential impact of prolonged solitary confinement on Allen’s mental state, contending that it led to false confessions. They aimed to establish reasonable doubt by contrasting his initial confident denials with his later emotional breakdown and seemingly illogical confessions.
- The day’s proceedings presented the jury with contrasting portrayals of Richard Allen.
Looking Ahead:
- The next day’s proceedings may involve testimony from Dr. Walla, a mental health professional who evaluated Allen during his incarceration.
- Potential confessions made by Allen to his mother and grandmother during phone calls could also be introduced.
- The case may be nearing the transition from the prosecution’s case to the defense’s presentation, potentially indicating an earlier conclusion to the trial than initially anticipated.