Weapons expert testifies about bullet found near girls’ bodies on seventh day of Delphi murder trial

DELPHI, Ind. (WNDU) – The trial of the man accused of killing two teenage girls in Delphi more than seven years ago continues Friday.

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 while hiking on February 13, 2017 near the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi. Their bodies were discovered a day later in the forest near this trail.

Allen’s trial began last Friday. It is expected to last until mid-November.

On the seventh day of testimony, the jury heard from Melissa Oberg – an Indiana State Police firearms expert. Oberg talked about the bullet that was found near Abby and Libby’s bodies.

According to prosecutors, it is the bullet that links Allen to the crime. She said the bullet was in “good condition.”

According to court pool records, Oberg took about an hour to explain the process of examining firearms and firearm parts before focusing on the Winchester 40 Smith & Wesson cartridge found at the crime scene.

Oberg’s initial observation revealed three ejector marks on the head, three extractor marks under the rim, various marks on the primer, and various particles in the rim around the primer.

According to our sister station WTHR, Oberg said their tests revealed that the handgun confiscated from Allen’s home contained the cartridge found among Abby and Libby’s bodies at the crime scene. Pictures were shown in court comparing the markings on the cartridge at the scene with one of the cartridges she had test-fired.

Testimony continues in the trial this afternoon.

To take a look back at all of our reporting to date in this ongoing process, Click here.

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