New, enhanced video from Libby German’s phone played during Day 4 of Delphi murders trial

DELPHI, Ind. (WNDU) - We have now reached day four in the trial for the man accused of killing two teenage girls in Delphi more than seven years ago.

52-year-old Richard Allen is charged with the murders of 13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German. Abby and Libby disappeared during a hike on Feb. 13, 2017, near the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi. Their bodies were discovered in the woods near that trail a day later.

Testimonies continued today as four investigators who were on scene the day Abby and Libby’s bodies were found took the stand for more questioning. We also heard from three people who were on the trail that day.

Meanwhile, jurors saw never-before-seen video from Libby’s phone that day, and evidence collected at the scene was presented to jurors.

Here were some of the major focal points during the fourth day of the trial. For a look back at all our previous coverage in this ongoing trial, click here.

Never-before-seen, enhanced video from Libby’s phone

For years, we’ve only had the same “bridge guy” video and that audio track where you hear him say “down the hill.” But the video played in court today showed a new portion of the last video on Libby’s phone. It was very clear unlike the video we’ve seen in the past.

One of the investigators who testified today was Jeremy Chapman. He said his previous work with Indiana State Police included video and audio enhancement.

Chapman said they retouched three images to make them clearer. He said they did the same thing with the audio on that video with the man walking on the bridge.

The new, enhanced video was played multiple times in court. It starts with Libby recording the trail and turning the camera to record Abby, who was behind her. Abby is the only one in frame but quickly after that you see “bridge guy” come into view and get closer to Abby.

Libby points the phone down, and you hear the girls talk for the first time in the video. You can hear on Libby telling Abby, “the trail ends here, we have to go down.” Then Abby can be heard shyly saying “hi” to somebody on that video. You hear the man on the video say, “guys,” and that’s when the video cuts off.

DNA, evidence called into question

Evidence collected at the scene was presented before the jurors in court today. That evidence included undergarments, shoes, and even that bullet that was found near the girls. While jurors were not able to see inside the bags that contained the evidence, they were able to hold it and pass it around.

During cross-examination, it was clear that the defense was working to raise doubt in the minds of the jury.

Indiana State Police investigator Brian Olehy was on the stand during the morning session as the defense weaved through details about the crime scene, trying to call out shortcomings on the investigation, including not getting a better photo of a bullet found on scene — a crucial piece of evidence, that prosecutors say tie Allen to the crime.

According to to our sister station WTHR, Olehy was asked if any DNA evidence taken from the swab of Libby’s wrists linked to Allen, to which he responded, “No.” He also said “no” when asked if he was aware of any evidence from swabs taken from trees or the ground that were linked to Allen.

The defense also asked Olehy about the sticks found in between the girls’ bodies, asking him if it seemed they were placed there intentionally.

“They appeared to be placed there by an individual,” Olehy responded, noting it seemed to be an “attempt at concealment” but “they were not completely covered.”

Witness tells court about interaction with ‘bridge guy’

Railly Voorhies took the stand this afternoon to tell jurors about her alleged interaction with the “bridge guy” on the day of the murders.

Voorhies was in high school at the time. She said she did not know the girls personally, but she knew of them.

Voorhies said she saw a man as she was leaving the trail, but she said he did not respond and seemed kind of grumpy. She also said he was overdressed for the weather that day, which was unseasonably warm for mid-February.

After finding out what happened to Abby and Libby and seeing the pictures of “bridge guy” circulate on social media, she said she recognized that man as the same man she saw on the trail that day.

Alleged confession letter is one of hundreds of exhibits in trial

While the trial is being held in Delphi, there are hundreds of exhibits in the case at the Allen County Courthouse in Fort Wayne.

According to WTHR, one of the most notable exhibits is a letter addressed to the warden of Westville Correctional Facility — the prison where Allen was formerly being held.

According to the letter, which is allegedly signed by Allen, he requested an interview with the warden and said, “I am ready to officially confess for killing Abby and Libby. I hope I get the opportunities to tell the families I’m sorry.” The letter is reportedly dated March 5, 2023.

Allen’s alleged confessions have been a key point of debate between prosecutors and his defense team. Prior to the trial, the special judge in the case ruled the jury could hear his alleged confessions.

Prosecutors allege Allen made more than 60 confessions to multiple people, including his family members, prison guards, other inmates, the prison warden at Westville and a prison psychologist. His lawyers argue that he did not make the confessions voluntarily, claiming he was coerced by guards and that he was suffering from mental illness at the time he made them.

But the judge said in her ruling that “statements given to the defendant’s family members were voluntary, not coerced by any State action, and were not made under threats of violence, or improper influence.”

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