Criminally Obsessed

Richard Allen Appeal: Court Insider Reveals Defense Tactics and Victim Family Reaction

Criminally Obsessed

Show Notes

Convicted murderer Richard Allen wants a new trial in the Delphi murders case. . A jury convicted Allen in 2024 in the deaths of 13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German. The teens' bodies were found near the Monon High Bridge trail in Delphi, Indiana after being dropped off for a day of hiking.

Investigators released a grainy image from Libby German's phone – of a man who later be known as "bridge guy." But his identity was unknown until Allen was arrested and charged in October 2022. He is serving a 130-year prison sentence.

In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, Investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks with journalist and Headline Crime host, Susan Hendricks, who was at Allen's appeal hearing this week. Hendricks has covered the Delphi murders case since day one, was at Allen's 2024 trial and is close to the victims' families. She knows this tragic story inside and out and breaks down the appeal hearing, answering the questions: What's at stake? Who was there? And what did she notice about the tension in the room that connects right back to the defense's argument for overturning his conviction – did Richard Allen get a fair trial?

Hendricks also delves into Allen's disturbing written confession, the evidence against him, and Allen's alleged psychosis.

Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed for continuing coverage of the Richard Allen appeal, true crime investigations, and exclusive interviews that go beyond the headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from Criminally Obsessed

Oct 22, 2026

Two days after serving divorce papers to her husband, Mica Miller was found dead at Lumber River State Park on April 27, 2024. Her death was ruled a suicide, but questions about the circumstances surrounding her death remain. According to her best friend, Bruna Pabon, Mica had confided in her that she feared her husband, John-Paul Miller, would kill her and make it look like she had taken her own life. Bruna says Mica made one thing clear: she wanted to live.

Oct 21, 2026

Nick Reiner, charged in the murders of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, is heading to Los Angeles probate court on October 23rd to fight for access to a trust worth more than $1.5 million that he says he needs to pay for his criminal defense.

Oct 20, 2026

What happened at the latest Alex Murdaugh retrial hearing—and is Harpootlian in trouble with the new judge? Former South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon joins Anne Emerson to break down what’s next in the Alex Murdaugh case after the evidentiary hearing on October 16, 2026 before Judge Debra McCaslin.

Oct 19, 2026

You asked for the full JP Miller interviews and now you're getting them — this Mica Miller interview special shares both unaired JP Miller interviews in order. Reporter Mike Owen sat down with South Carolina pastor JP Miller twice in 2024 after the death of his wife Mica Miller on April 27th, 2024, and ABC 15 News in Myrtle Beach only aired a few soundbites out of caution before any public allegations or charges.

Oct 15, 2026

Alex Murdaugh returns to court Friday, October 16, for an urgent pretrial evidence hearing, months before the date the judge says she won't move: an April 5, 2027 retrial in Sumter, South Carolina. The defense and prosecution have been trading a "dizzying" flurry of filings over what the jury will and won't see, and the judge is about to start making calls.

See all episodes →