New Delphi Murders Press Conference Transcript 2022
Delphi murders press conference transcript details: On October 31, 2022 (Halloween) a press event was held at the United Methodist Church in Delphi, Indiana. An update was provided on the Delphi double homicides & the official announcement was made that Richard Allen was arrested & is being charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Liberty German and Abigail Williams.
Speakers: Sergeant Jeremy Piers [Public Information Officer; Indiana State Police] / Superindent Doug Carter [ISP Superintendent], Sherrif Tobe Leazenby [Carroll County Sherrif] & Nicholas McLeland [Carroll County Prosecutor]
[ BEGIN DELPHI PRESS CONFERENCE 2022 TRANSCRIPT – DATE: OCTOBER 31, 2022 ]
SGT. JEREMY PIERS: Good morning. My name is Sergeant Jeremy Piers, Public Information Officer for the Indiana State Police Lafayette Post. I’d like to thank you all for being here, and thank the Delphi United Methodist Church for allowing us to use their facility. This morning we’re going to provide an update on the investigation into the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German. Before we get started, I’m going to introduce you to our speakers, Superintendent of the Indiana State Police Doug Carter, the Carroll County Sheriff, Tobe Leazenby, and the Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland. I’d like to remind everyone that this continues to be an active and ongoing investigation. At the conclusion of this press conference, we are going to answer a limited amount of questions, out of respect to the investigation and the process that will follow today. We will not discuss evidence that is related to this investigation. On behalf of the Delphi Double Homicide Task Force, thank you all for your continued support. I would now like to introduce to you our first speaker, Superintendent of the Indiana State Police, Doug Carter.
DOUG CARTER: Give me just a second here. Seldom do I have prepared remarks, but today is different because I do not want there to be any confusion or ambiguity with what I will say. Today is not a day to celebrate. But the arrest of Richard M. Allen of Delphi on two counts of murder is sure a major step in leading to the conclusion of this long term and complex investigation.
First, I’d like to speak directly to Anna, Mike, Becky, Kelsi, your extended families… along with the entire Delphi community that certainly has grown and now includes our nation, and even many countries around the world. I am proud to report to you that today – actually last Friday – was ‘the’ day. And an arrest has been made. Thanks to literally hundreds of media outlets that have been steadfast in reporting and keeping the memories of Abby and Libby front and center. Many of you in the room have developed relationships with me personally. You know I always have a personal perspective and today is no different. But from a very personal perspective, you have provided, you all have provided, inspiration and support. Even while oftentimes frustrated with us – and me – but you continued to encourage the efforts and you too believed that one day we would all be here participating and sharing this news. To the entire law enforcement community which includes all local, state and federal agencies, which are far too many to specifically mention today: thank you, thank you, thank you!
We are going to continue a very methodical and committed approach to ensure that if any other person had any involvement in these murders in any way, that person or persons will be held accountable. Since the murders of Abby and Libby, 2086 days ago, the daily investigative team has worked tirelessly and is certainly worthy of mention today. Specifically, Sheriff Leazenby, Sheriff of Carroll County, Detective Tony Liggett, Detective retired Kevin Hammond, former Delphi Chief and now the prosecutor’s investigator, Steve Mullins. State Police First Sergeant Jerry Holeman, Detectives Jay Harper, Dave Vido and Brian Harshman, along with members of the United States Marshal Service, specifically Agent Jeremy Clinton and Agent Bill Culfers. With them today is Dan McClean, appointed US Marshal. Our state police analysts, our scientists, from many different disciplines within our laboratory division. Mrs. Kathy Shank for your incredible dedication to detail, and to so many others that I know I missed. I really believe that Abby and Libby would be proud of you for standing strong even in the face of immense pressure and perpetual criticism. Some of these individuals have postponed retirement, passed on promotional opportunity, have dedicated personal time away from their families, given up nights, weekends, and holidays… all while in the pursuit of accountability for Abby and Libby. I know today’s announcement will not diminish your resolve, and I hope you have found a bit of peace in this complicated world.
This is really important: while I know you all are expecting final details today concerning this arrest, today is not that day… today’s not that day. This investigation is far from complete. And we will not jeopardize its integrity by releasing or discussing documents or information before the appropriate time.
Prosecutor Nick McLealand, of course, will share additional information about what we can and cannot say, and also explain to you why the probable cause affidavit is temporarily sealed by the court and not available. By the way, he has been a tremendous, tremendous asset to this team. I’m yet again asking you for your patience, and please, you understanding while our system of due process works. Also, remember that all persons arrested are presumed innocent… all persons arrested are presumed innocent. You all will have an innate desire to subjectively interpret – and then report – what you think. We in the law enforcement realm cannot, and you should never allow us to talk about what we think concerning facts, but rather discuss and share at the right time what it is we know. The time will come when additional details can be released. But again, today is not that day. It’s about Abby and Libby, their families, this community, this nation and even our planet.
The prosecutor has been very clear with law enforcement about what his expectations are, about what can and cannot be released, shared or discussed… so we will of course comply. If you choose to be critical of our silence, be critical of me, not the frontline. These are the folks who have committed their entire lives to a successful conclusion. In other words, a guilty verdict.
As we move to the next phase of this investigation, I will continue to offer all resources that the ISP has. It’s not only the investigative team that I anticipate growing, but also to prosecutor McLeland as we prepare for the coming months. Again Nick has been very resolute and very clear and I’m most grateful for his leadership. It’s going to be really important as we move forward. Please continue offering tips that you would like to share. The many avenues to report will remain open and will be available to all. Please continue doing that. In closing, I stand before you in this church, the very place where we held our first briefing nearly six years ago and just hours after the murders of Abby and Libby, right here. Pulling in today I wasn’t really sure what emotion I would experience, but peace came over me, and I didn’t expect that to happen. And I hope all of you with all the different responsibilities you have from around the planet today, have felt some of that as well. But remember, we are not done. I think what we all have experienced proves, that together there is nothing that we cannot do. But more important, giving of ourselves, all of us… all of us… giving of ourselves matters more than what we ever could receive.
Abby and Libby, though in death, have had a profound effect on so many of us. On how we live, and as importantly, who we all should be.
I would now like to introduce to you my friend and Carroll County Sherrif, Tobe Leazenby, for his remarks, Sheriff?
TOBE LEAZENBY: I believe in a God of justice and righteousness. Today I believe that same God has provided us with justice for Abby and Libby. As Sheriff of Carroll County, Indiana, I want to publicly and sincerely thank each individual who played a role in helping us during this five-and-a-half-year investigation. Whether it was in an investigative capacity providing tips, cards or letters of suggestions or encouragement, phone calls, and thousands of other countless ways of communicating.
I earnestly thank those who prayed for this moment in time. We now move forward through the Indiana criminal justice system, allowing the system to provide its due diligence and process, and providing that justice which is owed to Abby and Libby, their families, and this community. Thank you
NICHOLAS McLELAND: Welcome everybody, my name is Nicholas McLeland. I’m the Carroll County prosecutor. And before we get started, I want to reiterate some of the things that Sheriff Leazenby and Superintendent Carter stated. I first want to thank both of them. They’ve been a great support to my office throughout this investigation.
They’ve always been there for a phone call and always been willing to help a hand or line of assistance to me and my office during this investigation. I want to thank the team behind me. This is the homicide task force team that we’ve put together. Thank them and thank their families for being so understanding for the many nights they’ve worked away from their families, away from their children.
There are many dates in a lifetime that you’re going to remember: the date your children are born. The date you’re married. The date you buy a first house. The date Abby and Libby went missing. One of those dates was last Friday, October 28, 2022. At that time, we had gathered evidence to formulate a PC that we submitted to the court, and the judge did find probable cause for an arrest of Richard Allen.
He’s been charged with two counts of murder for the murder of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.
This investigation is still very ongoing. We’re keeping the tip line open, the tip email open. We encourage everybody to continue to call in tips not only about Richard Allen, but about any other person that you may have.
For that reason, and for the nature of this case, the probable cause and the charging information has been sealed by the court.
I’ve been very clear to everybody that per the court order, we can not talk about the evidence that’s in the probable cause, or the evidence that’s in the charging information. That will become evident to you at some point and it will be released, but right now is not that day.
Today’s about Abby and Libby, focusing on them.
Mr. Allen has had his initial hearing. He’s entered a preliminary plea of ‘Not Guilty’. The matter has been set for a pretrial on January 13th at 9:00 am (2023), and a trial date of March 20th 2023 at 9:00 am. He is presumed innocent.
We will have our opportunity and day in court where we can present the evidence that we have against him. But until that day, he is presumed innocent.
I want to open it up to a few limited questions from the audience. But again, keep in mind we are not going to talk about the evidence that we have in this case, or about the charging information. We cannot, those things have been sealed by the court. And so I want to open it up to a few questions.
REPORTER: When did Richard Allen become a suspect, and do you think he acted alone?
NICHOLAS McLELAND: Again, that is part of the investigation, so I’m not going to talk about those things. What I can say is that we have probable cause established by the court for his arrest and he is in custody. He’s being held currently without bond.
REPORTER: [unitelligable]
NICHOLAS McLELAND: I’m sorry?
REPORTER: Is Mr. Allen connected to any other crimes?
NICHOLAS McLELAND: Again, that gets into the evidence we have in the investigation. And I know, I know from everybody… it’s frustrating. I know everybody – not only reporters, but the family – everybody wants to know more information. I understand it is frustrating, but my goal is to maintain the integrity of this case.
REPORTER: Question for the Superintendent. Superintendent Carter, you had said that you believe you had spoken to the suspect – or to the suspect’s family, two years ago. Is this man one of those people?
DOUG CARTER: Again, that’s… I appreciate the question. But we’re getting into the timeline of events, and today’s not the time to do that.
REPORTER: Superintendent Carter, in terms of the family, I know you’ve had a lot of conversations with them. You were close to tears pretty much when you started off this press conference. I can’t imagine how emotional it is for everybody that’s worked on this case. What was your conversation first like with the family of Abby and Libby when you were able to tell them “we finally got the suspect”?
DOUG CARTER: It was a very personal moment for me, and I think it was a very personal moment for them and for all of us that have had interaction with the family. We developed a relationship and I think it’s gonna last at least one lifetime and maybe a second… so it was a very, very, very sad, yet a very humbling experience.
REPORTER: Superintendent, you asked for tips. You did detective work. There’s a reward for $325,000.00. Did this all come together to make this nexus? Was it a combination of all three things that led us to this day, or was it one or the other?
DOUG CARTER: Well, eventually you’ll be able to see what led us to this day but again, today’s not that day. To include the reward, you mentioned that Raphael… about the reward itself. And, again, very premature for us to talk about that. There’s still a tremendous amount of work to do.
REPORTER: Superintendent, what would you say that Abby and Libby taught you in death that we can remain and continue on with in life?
DOUG CARTER: [a very visible wave of emotion swept over his face at the mention of their names] Oh, man. I think probably resilience and understanding the value of each and every day. That ‘today was the day’ but I didn’t anticipate they ever thought today would be their day. And I feel like I’ve known them for a long time.
REPORTER: Is there somebody else involved in this case?
DOUG CARTER: Excuse me?
REPORTER: Do you assume that there’s any other individuals involved in this case?
NICHOLAS McLELAND: We haven’t closed the door on the investigation. And so that’s why we keep the tip line and the tip email open. And so… we’re not presuming anything at this point. But we’re going to continue to take tips, continue to take any information anybody has. And as we’ve done with all the information we’ve gathered, we’re going to look at that and examine that and see where it leads us.
REPORTER: Mr. Prosecutor, can you explain the law? You’ve asked the court, based on this investigation, that these documents should remain out of the public view.
To explain without getting into the details of what’s in the documents. Can you explain without getting into details of what’s in the documents? But this is not regular. Usually, a public hearing is held. We should be able to see all the documents, right? But you made a decision. Can you explain your decision as to why you believe, within the next 30 days, why no one in this room should have access to these records?
NICHOLAS McLELAND: Sure. It is unusual. We don’t do it very often in all the cases that we handle here in Carroll County. We did it in this case because the investigation is still open. And while a lot of cases are important, the nature of this case has some extra scrutiny with it. And so we – my office, me… felt it was important to seal those records. There will be a public hearing on whether or not those records are going to remain sealed or not. They’ll be public notice for that hearing so that everyone can attend, but there will be a hearing to determine whether or not they’re going to stay sealed. But for now, to me, it’s about protecting the integrity of this case. I want to have an opportunity at some point… to have an opportunity in court to explain the evidence and for that not to be tarnished or tainted or anything like that. Again, he’s presumed innocent, and so it was important for me in this case to do that.
REPORTER: How do the Kline’s fit into all of this?
NICHOLAS McLELAND: We’re not going to comment on that right now, as part of the investigation. Again, we just encourage everybody to continue to call in tips if they have them about anybody, and we’ll examine those tips.
REPORTER: How does it feel for you guys to have searched nationwide for nearly six years going all over the place only to find your guy, you know, down the street from your office?
NICHOLAS McLELAND: That’s a hard question to answer. It is mixed emotions. I’ve been watching the news all weekend like everybody else has, and I think a lot of the members of the public said it right: it’s bittersweet. It’s a step in the right direction. It’s concerning that he’s a local guy. So I think just different emotions. Again, this is a step in the right direction. This is the first step into getting into court and having a trial and so…
SGT. JEREMY PIERS: Alright, that concludes our press conference today. Shortly I will be releasing a press release that will have his photo and a couple more details that will also be here for handout. That will also be on the Indiana State Police Lafayette Post Facebook page.
REPORTER: When is that coming out?
SGT. JEREMY PIERS: Right after this press conference. I’m gonna send it out. There’s also hard documents in the back.
Thank you all for taking the time to be here today, and be safe as you travel home.
[ END DELPHI PRESS CONFERENCE 2022 TRANSCRIPT – DATE: OCTOBER 31, 2022 ]
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– Posts from Sunday October 30th –
DELPHI MURDERS PRESS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
The new Delphi murders press conference will be held on Monday October 31, 2022 (Halloween) at the Delphi United Methodist Church.
Per an Indiana State Police press release, the Delphi Double Homicide Task Force will announce an update in the Delphi murders investigation. This is presumed to be related to Richard Allen, a Delphi resident and CVS employee who was arrested in connection to the crime last week.
HOW TO WATCH THE NEW DELPHI MURDERS PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO
Several Indiana-local news stations will be live streaming the October 31, 2022 press conference.
OLD DELPHI MURDER PRESS CONFERENCES
If you’d like to refresh your memory on the Delphi investigation history, consider watching or reading the transcripts from the older press conferences. The most memorable was perhaps the April 2019 presser, where ISP Superintendent Doug Carter announced a “New Direction” into the investigation. Carter predicted several things about the suspect which appear to be accurate, including that the killer is a Delphi local “hiding in plain sight” and the community will be “shocked” when an eventual arrest is made.
Link to 2019 Delphi Murders Press Conference Transcript & Video
