LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Indiana Supreme Court will allow Richard Allen, the man accused of the 2017 murders of Abby Williams and Libby German, to have his original lawyers reinstated.

Mark Leeman, a lawyer representing Allen, told the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday that Judge Fran Gull coerced attorneys Andrew Baldwin and Brad Rozzi to withdraw. Allen had petitioned the states highest court to remove special judge Fran Gull, but the court allowed Gull to remain on the case. 

Several legal issues surrounding the case have stalled for months. 

Baldwin and Rozzi — Allen's court appointed counsel — stepped away from the case minutes before a hearing in October of last year after allegations evidence was leaked not once but twice from attorney Baldwin's office.  And graphic crime scene pictures were leaked by a former employee of attorney Baldwin.  

According to court records, Gull was prepared to publicly shame Allen's attorneys for incompetence and gross negligence if they didn't quit the case.  

Baldwin and Rozzi were appointed to Allen's case following his arrest in 2022. On Thursday, Leeman argued that, regardless of the accusations, Allen has a right to choose his lawyer.  

"She said you're grossly negligent and incompetent," Leeman said in reference to Gull. "I don't know if it was about trial representation at all, and the argument that she advances in the brief regarding what she says is grossly negligent and incompetent have nothing to do with whether a fair trail is going to happen here."

The Indiana Supreme Court issued the order just after 4 p.m. Thursday.  

Related Stories:

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.