In a significant development in the 2017 Delphi murder case, Richard Allen faced new charges on Thursday. The Carroll County Prosecutor's Office, led by Nicholas McLeland, expanded the charges against Allen, adding two counts each of murder and kidnapping in the deaths of Libby German and Abby Williams.
 
 Originally, in October 2022, Allen was charged with murder while committing a felony. However, the specific felony of kidnapping the two girls, which was implied in the initial murder charges, was formally added only now. The additional murder charges, as defined under Indiana law, accuse Allen of knowingly or intentionally causing the death of another person.
 
 The legal intricacies of these charges are noteworthy. The initial charge of murder in the commission of a felony suggests that Allen kidnapped 14-year-old Libby and 13-year-old Abby, leading them away from the trails near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi. During this alleged kidnapping, the girls tragically lost their lives. Under this charge, the prosecution does not need to establish that Allen was the direct perpetrator of the killings. In contrast, the new murder charges explicitly accuse Allen of the act of killing the girls on February 13, 2017, near the Deer Creek, a short distance from the Monon High Bridge.
 
 The implications of these charges are substantial. If Allen is found guilty on all four counts of murder, he would face sentencing for only two of them, as per legal provisions. Each murder charge carries a potential sentence of 45 to 65 years in prison. The kidnapping charges, if proven, could result in an additional three to 16 years of imprisonment. McLeland's request to the court to amend the charging information to include these new charges awaits a decision from Special Judge Fran Gull.
 
 In a related development, Allen's defense strategy came under the spotlight. His legal representation reverted to his original public defenders, Brad Rozzi and Andrew Baldwin, following a ruling by the Indiana Supreme Court. This change occurred after Allen successfully petitioned the Supreme Court to reinstate his initial attorneys, who had been removed by Judge Gull on October 31, 2023. McLeland, in his legal filings, emphasized that the trial, scheduled for October, is still months away, providing ample time for the defense to prepare against the amended charges.
 
 McLeland's approach in filing these new charges is strategic. He stated in his legal pleadings that the amended charges align more closely with the evidence and the probable cause affidavit in the case. Furthermore, he assured that these additional charges would not prejudice Allen's rights, indicating that Allen and his legal team were previously aware of the potential for new charges.
 
 The case has garnered significant attention, partly due to the nature of the crimes and the prolonged investigation that followed. The deaths of Libby German and Abby Williams, who were just entering their teenage years, shocked the community of Delphi and captured national interest. The addition of these new charges marks a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings, potentially bringing the case closer to a resolution.
 
 As the trial date approaches, the focus will undoubtedly shift to the courtroom, where the evidence and arguments presented will determine the outcome of this tragic and complex case. The community, still reeling from the loss of two young lives, awaits justice, hoping for closure in a case that has lingered in the public consciousness for years.
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