LIBBY GERMAN & ABBY WILLIAMS: Indiana vs. Richard Allen for 2017 murder of two Delphi girls *TRIAL IN PROGRESS*

On February 14, 2017, the bodies of Abigail Williams and Liberty German were discovered near the Monon High Bridge Trail, which is part of the Delphi Historic Trails in Delphi, Indiana, United States, after the young girls had disappeared from the same trail the previous day. The murders have received significant media coverage because a photo and audio recording of an individual believed to be the girls' murderer was found on German's smartphone. Despite the audio and video recordings of the suspect that have been circulated and the more than 26,000 tips that police have received, no arrest in the case has been made.[1][2][3]



Police have not publicly stated nor released details of how the girls were murdered.[6] As early as February 15, 2017, Indiana State Police began circulating a still image of an individual reportedly seen on the Monon High Bridge Trail near where the two friends were slain; the grainy photograph appearing to capture a Caucasian male, with hands in pockets, walking on the rail bridge, head down, toward the girls.[4] A few days later, the person in the photograph was named the prime suspect in the double-homicide.[5]

On February 22, law enforcement released an audio recording where the voice of the assailant,[7] though in some degree muffled, is heard to say, "Down the hill." It was at this news conference that officials credited the source of the audio and imagery to German's smartphone, and, further, regarded her as a hero for having had the uncanny foresight and fortitude to record the exchange in secret. Police indicated that additional evidence from the phone had been secured, but that they did not release it so as not to "compromise any future trial." By this time, the reward offered in the case was set at $41,000.[5]

Murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

On Feb 14, 2017, the bodies of Abigail Williams & Liberty German were discovered in Delphi, #INDIANA. The suspect in their deaths is awaiting trial.

On February 22, law enforcement released an audio recording where the voice of the assailant, though in some degree muffled, is heard to say, "Down the hill." Even with a lot of media coverage, their murders remain unsolved.

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't think his mental health records have been released.

I don't think they ever will be to the public imo. They weren't in Lori Daybell's if I recall but of course she did not pursue a mental health defense and this D has danced with that too, they want to blame his mental state on some things but on the flip side do NOT want to provide the records. Can't have it both ways imo. Gull actually went along with no release for a long time until they kept raising it as I recall.

But I don't be released to the public unless a full blown insanity or mental health defense was mounted with experts testifying to the mental condition of a defendant.

However, they have been ordered released to the prosecution. Pretty sure on that. His care while incarcerated, those records have been ordered given to the P at least.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Murder charges aren't enough without extenuating circumstances to qualify for the DP.

Of course they will probably appeal unless they come up with a plea bargain. I'm just pointing out a DP ordered case automatically appeals.

I also cannot find a time limit anywhere that states when the prosecutor has to state intent to file for the DP in Indiana. It's really not all that common in Indiana anyway.

okay, thank you, that's what i wondered. so it would almost seem they added these charges later on to have the option of going for the DP or intend to, or to worry them and give added weight to it all for RA and the D.

I know it's aggravating factors in some states, etc.

Yeah, even Daybell who got the DP and didn't even care, or care to have mitigating factors heard, is going onto almost automatic appeal. Because of the DP. I'm just saying though that all appeals and most murder convictions do go to the SC, generally the State, but some can go or be remanded to the trial court. No expert that's for sure, not claiming to be either.

I have sixty days or six months in my head in some states (I know that's a wide difference) and that's from charging or from the prelim date or some such. Darned if I can recall but even if I could or went an found it, IN could be different.

We'have seen absolutely no intent of such yet that I can recall but then the case has not exactly proceeding in any normal fashion either. Whatever one thinks, I think that' can be agreed on, regardless as to what or who caused such.

The only possible intent of maybe doing the DP or hint or question of it are those additional charges... Imo. But those could also be to add more weight and sentences overall and for leverage, AND the D knowing the possibility of the DP as well...

If you can't find much on a time limit in IN, then I'm sure I couldn't find such easily. It's interesting I don't even recall talking heads and shows talking the DP over all this time but then they've all sidetracked to whatever is going on at the moment... Whether Os, filing to the ISC, leaks, or even decisions by Gull, etc., I am not even meaning one way, they just haven't talked of it and the time limit or rules that I can recall... But recall isn't great either. Lol.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yes, I mentioned upthread adding kidnapping and such satisfies the extenuating circumstances.

I don't recall an offer for a plea deal at all. Any negotiations are not part of the public record and we shouldn't have heard about it.

Well I think asking a warden in a confession letter for a plea bargain may not be unheard of to the public in some or even most cases. Letecia Stauch's letters to the judge and such were provided to the public. Of course if sealed, that's different and so on. Warden different than a judge too but I just mean there's nothing sancrosanct about him writing to anyone from behind bars imo. It's not like discussions of a plea between the P and D which there too, I'm not sure neither side in MOST cases couldn't share that if they want hope of making one, but of course most don't. Also victim families are gone to with plea offers or suggestions and what has been discussed, we were, and we could have told anyone and it not been against rule, or the law. Of course again this case is different with a gag order or whatever and so on, I am talking more generally. I'm also pretty sure we've heard of plea offers in some cases before trials or how far they would or would not go or agree to.

And there are some ways this could be known about even between P and D and that's from any of the families and anyone they may have told. The source if true just isn't being named probably our of respect or a promise.

 

[GrandmaBear]

No they haven't, Monica Wala is supposedly doing an affidavit with her lawyer but haven't seen it so far.

Maybe we won't see them till trial, if at all.

I don't know that we will ever see the full mental health records, no idea, but the confessions to her probably but how they will do one and protect all the other, unsure but THEN he may have forfeited any right to privacy with such when he confessed to her...

 

[GrandmaBear]

Talking of appeals, Kline lost his sentence appeal. He was originally sentenced to 43 years. Article states he is eligible for parole in 2048, which is actually only 24 years time.




Sunday, July 7, 2024

Kline’s appeal denied​

June 27, 2024
By Amy Graham-McCarty
amy@hurdmedia.com

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KEGAN KLINE
A Miami County man’s appeal of his sentence for multiple counts of child pornography has been denied.

On July 31, 2023, Kegan Kline was sentenced to 43 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections with three years suspended to probation, for multiple felonies involving child exploitation and related offenses.

In December 2023, Kline’s attorneys appealed his sentence saying it was “manifestly unreasonable” based on the nature of the offenses and his character. The legal team said their client has no previous criminal history, and by pleading guilty Kline saved the State time and money.

In August 2020, Kline was charged with multiple counts of child exploitation and child pornography. The State later amended those charges to include one count of Level 5 felony child solicitation, eight counts of Level 5 felony child exploitation, four counts of Level 5 felony possession of child pornography, seven counts of Level 6 felony possession of child pornography, two counts of Level 6 felony synthetic identity deception, and three counts of Level 6 felony obstruction of justice. On March 30, 2023, Kline pleaded guilty as charged without a plea agreement.

Kline used several catfished social media accounts including “Emily Ann” and “anthony_shots.” He told HLN reporter Barbara MacDonald that police told him that the anthony_shots account was the last to communicate with Abigail Williams and Libby German before the girls were murdered on Feb. 13, 2017. Kline has not been charged in the deaths of the girls. In Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland’s Motion at Limine, he asked that Kline’s name not be allowed to be spoken by Richard Allen’s defense team during Allen’s trial. Allen has been charged with two counts of murder and two counts of felony murder in the deaths of Abby and Libby.

In Miami County, Judge Timothy Spahr found the following aggravating circumstances when sentencing Kline, “(1) The harm, injury, loss, or damage suffered by the victims of the Defendant was significant and greater than the elements necessary to prove the commission of the offenses; (2) the Defendant has a history of criminal and delinquent behavior; (3) the victims of some of the offenses were less than twelve (12) years of age; (4) the Defendant was in a position having control of some of his victims; and (5) the Defendant’s sexual behavior and attitudes and selfish, manipulative character support the imposition of additional sentencing consequences upon him.”

One mitigating circumstance was found; “The Defendant entered a plea of guilty, saving the State the time and expense of a trial and sparing the victims from having to testify (though that is tempered to some extent by the fact that there was substantial evidence of the Defendant’s guilt),” court documents state.

The trial court found that Kline had committed a total of 13 episodes of criminal conduct.

According to court documents, Kline solicited sexually explicit videos from young girls when he knew their ages. He manipulated the girls and stalked them. He sought very young girls of specific age ranges. He also serviced himself while watching the videos that he had obtained.

“An investigation uncovered ‘thousands and thousands’ of messages between Kline and young girls,” court documents state.

In his appeal, Kline asserts that many of his charges should be combined as one act of criminal conduct because they happened on the same day and are closely related in time, place, and circumstance.

“Kline is incorrect. It is true that, for Counts 10 through 20, the amended information alleged that Kline possessed the images on February 25, 2017. But that was merely the date that the images were seized,” court documents state. “As the State points out, the evidence shows that the offenses underlying Counts 10 through 20 constitute five episodes of criminal conduct because the pornographic images underlying those counts were created on media managed by Kline on five separate dates.

“Specifically, the State presented evidence that the pornographic image supporting Count 14 was created on September 14, 2015; the same for Count 15 was created on March 17, 2016; the same for Counts 11 and 12 were created on May 4, 2016; the same for Counts 10, 16, and 17 were created on May 14, 2016; and the same for Counts 13, 18, 19 and 20 were created on May 17, 2016. These were four Level 5 and seven Level 6 counts of possession of child pornography.”

Whether or not an offense constitutes a “single episode of criminal conduct” is a fact-intensive inquiry, court documents state.

“While ‘the ability to recount each charge without referring to the other’ offers ‘guidance on the question of whether a defendant’s conduct constitutes an episode of criminal conduct,’ we focus our analysis on ‘the timing of the offenses’ and ‘the simultaneous and contemporaneous nature of the crimes,’ if any … Kline does not dispute that the images supporting these charges were created on five separate dates. His sole argument on appeal is that his possession of those images on the same date means that his offenses constitute an episode of criminal conduct under the statute. But the evidence shows that the offenses were neither simultaneous nor contemporaneous.”

In concluding their decision, and affirming Kline’s current sentence, the appeals court judges state the trial court did not err when finding that Counts 10 through 20 were comprised of five episodes of criminal conduct under Indiana Code section 35-50-1-2.

Courtney Alwine, the lead prosecutor on the case, issued the following statement: “We are pleased with the decision the Court of Appeals issued last Thursday. The 43-year sentence delivered in this case was a just and deserving sentence well supported by the law and reflective of the nature of Kegan Kline’s offenses. As the Court of Appeals indicated in a footnote, ‘This Court has rarely had occasion to consider a more heinous set of facts than those here.’

“My colleagues and I have a similar impression of this case and of the depravity we saw on Mr. Kline’s devices. Our thoughts continue to be with the countless victims impacted by Kegan Kline. We remain committed to our community, our children, and ensuring justice is served against those who are the most deserving.”

Kline has 45 days to file a Petition to Transfer to the Indiana Supreme Court if he so chooses. He remains in the IDOC New Castle Correctional Annex. His earliest possible release date is Aug. 19, 2048.

With all the charges and evidence they had on Kline, the fact he could be "eligible" for parole in 24 years is shocking to me, not that we haven't seen such things and of course he has no murder charges or even SA I don't think of a child they can prove.

Even so, it makes me think again there MAY be some deal with him re RA. I haven't entirely let that go...

Not sure how it all comes together if it does but it's still all very weird. The D didn't pick KK as an alternate SODDI and he would have been a good one since he had planned to meet with Libby... RL or KK would have been more believable as a defense SODDI by far BUT they didn't go there for one of a few reasons as I can see it--KK and RL have and were proven to have alibis and cleared that makes it too hard. That's one. 2. There is a connection between KK and RA and blaming KK would put RA in it as well, even if sharing the info or drop box or some such and not even knowing each other well and so on. 3. They needed something huge, wild and out there to distract from all their lack of representation or seeing their client hence his repeated confessions. Need a HUGE distraction. 4. They hadn't read sh*t and the O thing was found and searched for by probably MW or someone, not them and they never have to this day read as much as even RA has. So they never even considered KK and so on but found a string when they finally had to FAST find something as it would be seen they had NOT done their job and left their client lawyerless until after his confessions.

KK would be the OBVIOUS SODDI to go with. RL not as much but still other than the O thing well...

 

[GrandmaBear]

The info about the confessions is in the Answer to Motion to Suppress document listed above.

THAT sounds right, to was a response to defense motion.

I don't think Olenna will be back until there is something to talk of on behalf of the defense or to push for on their behalf, there's no activity there right now. No offense @Olenna it's just when you come in and leave each time. And when you do, it is talking only one side and against Gull but in the same breath claim to be undecided on RA's guilt and have no opinion and are waiting for trial. Seems maybe like politics or something, not sure.

Regardless, to each their own and all have their opinions in a few cases that don't agree, or some claim not to have them but whatever the case. Sadly I sent a lot of politics vibes in this which I could care LESS about.

Yes the Response to the Motion to Suppress, pretty sure that's it as far as where all the confession info came from.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I definitely remember a reference to a plea deal offered by the P but they stipulated that appeal rights would have to be lost if the plea was accepted. I don't know if anyone remembers that other than me, though.

I would have said no a couple of days ago to my hearing that before but think you may have mentioned it some time back, but it was in your Reddit rumor thing that could be true or not true as they said. Don't get me wrong, that could come from a solid source but I just recently read it there and that is as they say themselves, a rumor thread that may well be founded or unfounded, not verified. Is that where you are getting it from in your thoughts right now or are you thinking from somewhere prior to that? It does refer to such in there and I did actually read the entire link when you shared it.

It sounds like something detailed enough to possibly be true and have a real source but it also could be a well crafted thing that someone made true or seem true on the internet...

What I mean is you do know it is in there right? Do you, despite that, think for sure you heard it as fact somewhere else...? They did as well and that's why it is put down as a more than possibly true rumor?

Not sure if I'm making sense. But I recently read it so you are not the only one that recalls BUT I read it recently in that Reddit rumor link.

 

[Tresir]

I would have said no a couple of days ago to my hearing that before but think you may have mentioned it some time back, but it was in your Reddit rumor thing that could be true or not true as they said. Don't get me wrong, that could come from a solid source but I just recently read it there and that is as they say themselves, a rumor thread that may well be founded or unfounded, not verified. Is that where you are getting it from in your thoughts right now or are you thinking from somewhere prior to that? It does refer to such in there and I did actually read the entire link when you shared it.

It sounds like something detailed enough to possibly be true and have a real source but it also could be a well crafted thing that someone made true or seem true on the internet...

What I mean is you do know it is in there right? Do you, despite that, think for sure you heard it as fact somewhere else...? They did as well and that's why it is put down as a more than possibly true rumor?

Not sure if I'm making sense. But I recently read it so you are not the only one that recalls BUT I read it recently in that Reddit rumor link.

If it is in there, then that is probably where I got it from LOL.

 

[GrandmaBear]

If it is in there, then that is probably where I got it from LOL.

Yes, but the things in there also stemmed from somewhere most likely so I'm not saying you may not have also heard it elsewhere.

Most of the things in there or at least many I think are likely to be found to be true and probably come from real bases, or some source talking like, for instance family, or intuited from what we've seen or even from defense 'friends" they let see and know all. Meaning through a "grapevine" but with someone told not to share the source. A few of them I think unlikely but many I don't.

 

[Tresir]

I don't think they ever will be to the public imo. They weren't in Lori Daybell's if I recall but of course she did not pursue a mental health defense and this D has danced with that too, they want to blame his mental state on some things but on the flip side do NOT want to provide the records. Can't have it both ways imo. Gull actually went along with no release for a long time until they kept raising it as I recall.

But I don't be released to the public unless a full blown insanity or mental health defense was mounted with experts testifying to the mental condition of a defendant.

However, they have been ordered released to the prosecution. Pretty sure on that. His care while incarcerated, those records have been ordered given to the P at least.

Yeah I agree the P will get them but the public likely won't, not before trial anyway, or even at all, like Vallow, as you say.

 

[Tresir]

Yes, but the things in there also stemmed from somewhere most likely so I'm not saying you may not have also heard it elsewhere.

Most of the things in there or at least many I think are likely to be found to be true and probably come from real bases, or some source talking like, for instance family, or intuited from what we've seen or even from defense 'friends" they let see and know all. Meaning through a "grapevine" but with someone told not to share the source. A few of them I think unlikely but many I don't.

So you are saying the P deal offered subject to no appeal rights is in the Reddit item I posted?

 

[Tresir]

With all the charges and evidence they had on Kline, the fact he could be "eligible" for parole in 24 years is shocking to me, not that we haven't seen such things and of course he has no murder charges or even SA I don't think of a child they can prove.

Even so, it makes me think again there MAY be some deal with him re RA. I haven't entirely let that go...

Not sure how it all comes together if it does but it's still all very weird. The D didn't pick KK as an alternate SODDI and he would have been a good one since he had planned to meet with Libby... RL or KK would have been more believable as a defense SODDI by far BUT they didn't go there for one of a few reasons as I can see it--KK and RL have and were proven to have alibis and cleared that makes it too hard. That's one. 2. There is a connection between KK and RA and blaming KK would put RA in it as well, even if sharing the info or drop box or some such and not even knowing each other well and so on. 3. They needed something huge, wild and out there to distract from all their lack of representation or seeing their client hence his repeated confessions. Need a HUGE distraction. 4. They hadn't read sh*t and the O thing was found and searched for by probably MW or someone, not them and they never have to this day read as much as even RA has. So they never even considered KK and so on but found a string when they finally had to FAST find something as it would be seen they had NOT done their job and left their client lawyerless until after his confessions.

KK would be the OBVIOUS SODDI to go with. RL not as much but still other than the O thing well...

KK is one of the people that the P have stated is not to be mentioned in the trial. Like BH too.

Now I know I have seen that somewhere in a document, but where is the question.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yeah I agree the P will get them but the public likely won't, not before trial anyway, or even at all, like Vallow, as you say.

yeah medical records themselves and add to it mental health records aren't going to go to the public easily but it changes a lot of course if someone pleads not guilty by insanity or something. in neither case do I think we will see that. well Lori we didn't and in this one every time they try to say he was in mental distress from being in a prison how treated, etc. and records are asked for, they step back from it (the defense). they try to use it but then aren't willing to prove it so to speak, imo because the proof is not in the pudding.

 

[GrandmaBear]

So you are saying the P deal offered subject to no appeal rights is in the Reddit item I posted?

I am pretty certain yes. I did not go back and reread but I knew what you were talking of as I had just read such and in that rumors Reddit thing I'm pretty sure. Do I have that wrong lol? I could but don't think so. It was very recent, last day or two and I am pretty sure in that rumors post.

 

[GrandmaBear]

KK is one of the people that the P have stated is not to be mentioned in the trial. Like BH too.

Now I know I have seen that somewhere in a document, but where is the question.

I think they've requested KK not be mentioned and maybe RL too if I recall. In a motion most likely. Most haven't been ruled on yet. End of July is when most will be.

Also motioned for Os and the named Os not be mentioned as they haven't met the law/standard to be able to do so, etc.

I don't know which document but in this one yes they have requested such not be allowed, I'll back that one up, pretty sure they moved for such but I dont' think it's been decided.

Most of these things will be heard the end of this month IF no kinks are thrown in. Whether decisions will be made on the spot or after hearings, hard to say.

 

[Tresir]

Here's an easier link to read the State's objection to the defendant's motion to suppress from April.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Here's an easier link to read the State's objection to the defendant's motion to suppress from April.

Just read it all.

I don't know if I missed this before but it stands out to me that confessions were made to IN State Police Officers. Interesting.

The middle is mostly about the case law and how he needs to be in custodial interrogation, etc. for rights to apply and so on.

From paragraph 14 through to the end, they imo put the defense again yet in their place. I mean WE can see this. They just keep doing blanket things like suppress ALL of these 30+ confessions, all were coerced, etc. Suppress ALL Libby's phone evidence, etc. Not one at a time with reasons as to confessions, and not just PART of Libby's phone evidence, like her video it is always a BLANKET supress everything and they do NOT support it.

Then they mention the making it a "conspiracy thing" and not naming every state actor in on this, etc. in 30+ DIFFERENT confessions.

They again show the defense to be ridiculous and ineffective imo. They back up NOTHING, it's just delay efforts, hype and total unpreparedness.

Paragraph 14 to the end nails it. And all of it does, by that all wraps it up.

So w hen did he confess to IN State Police Officers....

 

[Tresir]

Just read it all.

I don't know if I missed this before but it stands out to me that confessions were made to IN State Police Officers. Interesting.

The middle is mostly about the case law and how he needs to be in custodial interrogation, etc. for rights to apply and so on.

From paragraph 14 through to the end, they imo put the defense again yet in their place. I mean WE can see this. They just keep doing blanket things like suppress ALL of these 30+ confessions, all were coerced, etc. Suppress ALL Libby's phone evidence, etc. Not one at a time with reasons as to confessions, and not just PART of Libby's phone evidence, like her video it is always a BLANKET supress everything and they do NOT support it.

Then they mention the making it a "conspiracy thing" and not naming every state actor in on this, etc. in 30+ DIFFERENT confessions.

They again show the defense to be ridiculous and ineffective imo. They back up NOTHING, it's just delay efforts, hype and total unpreparedness.

Paragraph 14 to the end nails it. And all of it does, by that all wraps it up.

So w hen did he confess to IN State Police Officers....

Didn't Sheriff Tobe Leazenby visit him at one point and the D make a fuss about it? Perhaps he confessed to him.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Didn't Sheriff Tobe Leazenby visit him at one point and the D make a fuss about it? Perhaps he confessed to him.

It seems to me the said reason was because the D was griping about the conditions or how he was being treated per why the sheriff said he went or at least I THINK so but maybe that was speculation on our part or someone's, can't recall, but pretty sure he said so in a depo or something. Not going to swear to it though. I suppose it's possible he confessed to him then but I was thinking it's more an actual ISP Trooper/cop, not the local sheriff and so I'm thinking in that informal questioning when he and the wife went to get the car, perhaps he confessed....? And we know they want that entire one suppressed but are not worried about prior ones...

That's where MY mind goes anyhow...

And IF he confessed then, I wonder what he said... Of course IF he had, one would think they'd have arrested him on the spot, and actually they did, very shortly after...

 

[Tresir]

It seems to me the said reason was because the D was griping about the conditions or how he was being treated per why the sheriff said he went or at least I THINK so but maybe that was speculation on our part or someone's, can't recall, but pretty sure he said so in a depo or something. Not going to swear to it though. I suppose it's possible he confessed to him then but I was thinking it's more an actual ISP Trooper/cop, not the local sheriff and so I'm thinking in that informal questioning when he and the wife went to get the car, perhaps he confessed....? And we know they want that entire one suppressed but are not worried about prior ones...

That's where MY mind goes anyhow...

And IF he confessed then, I wonder what he said... Of course IF he had, one would think they'd have arrested him on the spot, and actually they did, very shortly after...

The Sheriff also went to get the other inmate but he refused to leave his cell.