LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Attorneys representing the man accused of murdering two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana, nearly seven years ago want the judge kicked off the case, claiming she's biased.
It's just the latest chapter in the legal maneuverings surrounding the Richard Allen case.
Allen, 51, is accused of killing Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German in February 2017 near Delphi's Monon High Bridge.
Monday, attorneys Andrew Baldwin and Brad Rozzi filed a new motion to get Judge Fran Gull removed.
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 Baldwin.
The attorneys claimed Gull insisted they withdraw from the case following those leaks. 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. Last Thursday, Mark Leeman, a lawyer representing Allen, argued that, regardless of the accusations, Allen has a right to choose his lawyer.
The Indiana Supreme Court issued an order that allowed Baldwin and Rozzi to be reinstated as Allen's lawyers. Now that they're back on the case, they are trying for a second time to get Gull removed.
In the affidavit filed Monday, the attorneys cite 19 different reasons why Gull should be removed. They claim she violated Allen's right to a fair and speedy trial and is biased against them.
The lawyers also want Allen moved, claiming he is unnecessarily "shackled like Hannibal Lecter" at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. But prosecutors said Allen is being treated better than any other inmate, and allegations made by the defense are misleading.
The legal back-and-forth is stalling the case. The trial was supposed to start this month, but now isn't set to start until October.
Related Stories:
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- Attorneys representing man accused of killing Delphi, Indiana, teenagers withdraw from case
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- Judge orders man charged with killing 2 teenage girls to remain at northern Indiana prison
- Suspect in Delphi murders confessed in phone call to wife, newly released documents say
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