Carroll County Circuit Judge Benjamin Diener recused himself from the Delphi murders case shortly after announcing that accused killer Richard Allen would be transferred to an undisclosed state facility for his own protection.
“The Court…FINDS the Defendant…is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death or represents a substantial threat to the safety of others,” Diner ordered, according to Fox 59, due to “a toxic and harmful insistence on ‘public information’ about Defendant and this case.”
“The public’s blood lust for information, before it exists, is extremely dangerous. ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS administering this action do not feel safe and are not protected.”
As CrimeOnline previously, Indiana law enforcement announced Monday the arrest of Allen 50, who has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the 2017 death of Abby Williams, 14, and Libby German, 13.
Police found the girls’ bodies on February 14, 2017, near the abandoned Monon High Bridge in Delphi, after they took an afternoon hike the previous day.
According to IndyStar, a spokesperson for the Indiana Supreme Court, Kathryn Dolan, said that trial judges are legally allowed to recuse themselves for “a variety of reasons,” although the judge doesn’t have to explain why recused himself.
Dolan reportedly added that the Indiana Supreme Court is set to appoint Allen County Judge Fran Gull as a special judge in the case.
Meanwhile, a hearing is scheduled for November 22 to determine if the probable cause affidavit in the case will remain sealed.
Check back for updates.
Abby and Libby’s Death
Abby and Libby took a hiking trip at the abandoned Monon High Bridge in Delphi on February 13, 2017, in an outing that was meant to be for a few hours. The girls took photos while strolling across the bridge, but as time passed and their family didn’t hear from them, police were called for assistance.
Police found the girls’ lifeless bodies a short distance from the bridge the following day, near a trail close to the bridge. They had both been murdered.
The incident was nicknamed the “Snapchat Murders” after one of the girls took a photo of the other at around 2:17 p.m. and put it on social media. Detectives said that after the photo was taken, a man approached the girls and apparently told them to “go down the hill.”
One of the girls, likely sensing danger, recorded the man’s voice on her cellphone. She also managed to take a photo and record a small clip of the suspect. Although his face isn’t clear in the picture, it was enough to give authorities a general description. Since then, they’ve been poring through thousands of tips, leading to Allen’s arrest.
“This investigation is still very ongoing. We are keeping the tip line open, not only about Richard Allen but any other person,” Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland said on Monday. “We cannot talk about the evidence in the probable cause or the charging information … today’s about Abby and Libby, focusing on them.”
Meanwhile, detectives continue to ask anyone who may have additional information to email abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or call 765-822-3535.
WATCH HERE: VIDEO of the suspect
LISTEN HERE: AUDIO of the suspect
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Here is a previous episode on the case.
[Featured image: Richard Allen/ISP; Abby (R) and Libby (l)/Handout]
