Will the Delphi Trial Be Televised?

Attorneys for Richard M. Allen, the man accused of murdering two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana, have filed a motion requesting that cameras be allowed in the courtroom for all future proceedings, including the trial. Allen’s lawyers argue that televising the trial would offer transparency and educate the public, given the intense interest in the case. They believe it would also ensure fairness, potentially influence witness behavior, and bolster public trust in the judicial process.

The motion comes after the Indiana Supreme Court lifted a long-standing ban on cameras in courtrooms in May. Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush has been a vocal advocate for this change, stating that allowing cameras promotes public understanding and trust in the court system.

Allen’s trial, scheduled for January, is expected to be one of the most high-profile cases in Indiana in recent history. If the judge grants the motion, it could be among the first trials broadcast to a wide audience under the new rule. The potential for widespread viewership raises the key question: Will The Delphi Trial Be Televised? The decision rests with Special Judge Frances Gull.

Beyond the request to televise the proceedings, Allen’s attorneys have also filed a motion to suppress evidence seized from his home, including clothing, firearms, and other items. They contend that law enforcement misrepresented key facts to obtain the search warrant.

A blue jacket seized during the search is believed to match the one worn by the suspect in images recovered from one of the victim’s phones. This piece of evidence could be crucial to the prosecution’s case.

The victims, Abby Williams and Libby German, were found murdered in 2017 near the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi. The case remained unsolved for years, captivating national attention and generating numerous true crime podcasts and documentaries. Allen’s arrest in October 2022 marked a significant development in the case, but many questions remain unanswered. The upcoming trial, and the potential for it to be televised, holds the promise of providing answers and closure to the families and the community. Whether Judge Gull will allow cameras in the courtroom remains to be seen. The decision could set a precedent for future high-profile cases in Indiana. The question of whether the Delphi trial will be televised is not just about media access, but about public access to justice and the potential for increased transparency in the legal system.