The stepfather of Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen was reportedly caught dozing off and snoring during the trial on Friday. Jurors endured over seven hours of dense, technical testimony by Melissa Oberg, a former forensic firearm examiner for the Indiana State Police, linking Allen to the scene of the brutal killing of two teenage girls, Abby Williams and Libby German.
Oberg explained in detail how she determined that an unused bullet found near the victims’ bodies was connected to a handgun discovered at Allen’s residence. She conducted tests with the 40-caliber Sig Sauger handgun recovered from Allen’s home, firing and cycling through several rounds to compare the “tool marks” on the bullets to the unspent cartridge found at the crime scene.
During the lengthy and technical discussion, Allen’s stepfather was reportedly caught snoring and seen shutting his eyes, despite being nudged awake. Defense attorney Bradley Rozzi attempted to cast doubt on the accuracy of the firearm evaluation during cross-examination, pointing out that Oberg’s conclusion was based on comparing the bullet to spent rounds, not unused ones that had cycled through the gun without being fired.
Prosecutors allege that Allen followed the girls while they were hiking near Delphi in 2017, forcing them at gunpoint off the Monon High Bridge Trail into the woods, where he ultimately slit their throats. However, defense attorneys maintain Allen’s innocence, arguing that there is significant reasonable doubt in the prosecutor’s evidence.
If convicted on all charges, Allen faces up to 130 years in prison. The 52-year-old is charged with two counts each of murder and murder while kidnapping the girls. The trial continues as both sides present their case in the courtroom.
