LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The trial for the man accused of murdering two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana, nearly seven years ago was supposed to start this month.

Instead, the state Supreme Court will hear arguments over who will represent Richard Allen, FOX59 News reported.

Justices will consider Allen's request to reinstate his original defense team and remove the judge who insisted they withdraw from the case a few months ago. The judge cited an evidence leak by someone who worked for Allen's legal team as a reason for their dismissal.

The hearing will be held Jan. 18 with added security by Indiana State Police. However, one of Allen's current attorneys said in a statement to FOX59 that she did not expect her client to attend as there have been no arrangements for him to be there. If Allen were to appear in person, ISP said there is a plan in place in the event the hearing garners national attention.

FOX59 reported Monday that the hearing at the Indiana Statehouse will be livestreamed. 

Allen, 51, is accused of killing Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German in February 2017 near Delphi's Monon High Bridge.

DELPHI MURDERS UPDATE

Pictured: Liberty "Libby" German, 14, and Abigail "Abby" Williams, 13. (Family photo)

According to police, a relative of one of the teenagers dropped them off on Feb. 13, 2017, at a hiking trail near their hometown of Delphi, about 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis. The teens were reported missing that evening after they didn’t show up at a meeting place to be picked up. Their bodies were found the next day in a rugged, heavily wooded area near the trail.

Allen was arrested in October 2022 and charged with two counts of murder, which he has pleaded not guilty to.

Right now, his trial is expected to begin in October.

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