DELPHI, Ind. (Court TV/Scripps News Indianapolis) — In a response filed Thursday, the state says moving Richard Allen from the Westville Correctional Facility is unwarranted, despite acknowledging the presence of patches linked to a white nationalist group known as “Odinism.”
Richard Allen appeared in a protective vest in court on June 15, 2023. (Scripps News Indianapolis)
Allen is charged with murdering Abigail “Abby” Williams, 13, and Liberty “Libby” German, 14, who disappeared while walking the Delphi Historic Trail on Feb. 13, 2017. The girls’ bodies were found the next day, less than half a mile from the Monon High Bridge.
In September, Allen’s attorneys requested an immediate transfer from the facility due to concerns for his safety. The motion for immediate transfer stated Allen was in danger due to the alleged presence of Odinists within the facility.
Allen’s defense attorneys stated that Allen was being safeguarded by Odinist guards, an issue because his defense asserted in its motion that Odinists were actually responsible for Libby and Abby’s deaths in 2017.
The defense said on multiple occasions they noticed corrections officers wearing badges signifying ties to Odinism a pagan Norse religion and white nationalist group.
RELATED: Delphi Murders: Defense claims evidence withheld, detectives lied
In Thursday’s response, the state said the “colorful and dramatic” request from the defense is not correct and there is no threat to Richard Allen in the Westville Correctional Facility.
Richard Allen’s attorneys said that evidence at the scene of the murders points to a ritual sacrifice. (Court TV)
The state, using a signed affidavit by Westville Correctional Facility warden John Galipeau, acknowledged that officers within the facility wore Odinist patches, but said the officers have since been told to not wear them.
Galipeau also acknowledged that there are inmates within the facility who practice Odinism, but said none have direct contact with Richard Allen.
The two officers named by the defense in its motion signed affidavits for the state stating they never harassed Richard Allen nor had one-on-one interactions with Allen. They also stated that neither had conversations with Allen that were not recorded.
The state also rebukes the defense’s use of inmate testimony that Allen is treated unfairly.
The inmate in question is Robert Baston, who is serving a sentence for child molestation. The state claims Baston has a history of complaints against the staff at the facility in an attempt “to reduce or modify his sentence for his heinous crime.”
The motion filed by the defense and the state’s response will head to the desk of special judge Fran Gull for consideration.
This story was originally published by Scripps News Indianapolis, an E.W. Scripps Company.
