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Odinistic theory of Delphi murder suspect based on speculation

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DELPHI, Ind. — Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen's defense lacks the evidence to present to the jury proof of Odinism, ritual human sacrifice and third-party insinuation, according to a memorandum filed Monday night by Carroll County District Attorney Nick McLeland.

“To present evidence at trial regarding a third party,” McLeland wrote, “the defense must show a direct material connection between the third party and the crime. The connection must be based on more than hearsay, speculation, rumor, conjecture, or theory. It must be based on reliable evidence establishing a material connection between the third party and the crime.”

Allen is charged with two counts of murder and two counts of murder in connection with the commission of a kidnapping.

More: Two bodies found near Delphi shock residents

Allen's lawyers allege that several men worshipping Odin, a pre-Christian Norse religion, sacrificed Libby German and Abby Williams in a ritual killing on the north bank of Deer Creek east of the Monon High Bridge and east of Delphi on the afternoon of February 13, 2017.

During a hearing on August 1, Allen's defense asked Special Judge Frances Gull to allow them to present evidence to support their case.

Their argument is that these Odinists, not Allen, killed the Delphi teenagers. They laid out this argument in a motion to the court.

Allen's defense submitted a 136-page memorandum in a motion filed on September 18, 2023, detailing the defense's theory that Libby and Abby were killed by Odinists as a ritual sacrifice.

“In contrast, the August 1 hearing demonstrated,” McLeland wrote in Monday evening's filing, “that the defense has only offered speculation, supported by conjecture and backed up by 'what ifs.' Without any evidence, physical or otherwise, that these were ritual killings, the defense speculates that various social media posts … may be connected to the crime scene.”

Allen's defense argues that if Gull grants the prosecution's request, it would limit Allen's Sixth Amendment right to present evidence, including evidence that other people killed the Delphi teenagers.

More: Allen's defense: Libby and Abby killed in Odinism ritual sacrifice

More: What the new Delphi murder documents say about the crime scene and other suspects

Gull has not yet made a decision on the matter. Allen's trial begins in October.

“The defense, in several hours of evidence, supplemented by numerous documents and testimony, has not presented a single piece of evidence linking Odinism (alleged Odinists) or any of the persons listed in the State's motion to hear with these murders,” McLeland wrote in his response to Allen's August 13 amendment to the motion to allow the jury to hear the evidence.

More: Murder suspect from Delphi asks judge to take evidence of Odinist involvement in murders

In Allen's Aug. 13 filing, McLeland's words from Allen's Nov. 22, 2022 hearing were presented as evidence that prosecutors believe others were involved in the murders of the Delphi teenagers.

“We have good reason to believe that Richard Allen is not the only person involved in this case, but that there may be other actors involved,” McLeland said during the hearing less than a month after Allen's arrest. “It is in the public's best interest that the investigation uncover other participants.”

Reach Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

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