CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. — Special Judge Fran Gull has ruled that no cameras will be allowed in the courtroom during the high-profile Delphi double murder trial set to begin May 13.
Multiple news agencies, including FOX59/CBS4, filed a request to allow cameras to stream video and/or audio of the trial to help provide transparency in the case that has drawn national scrutiny. Gull struck down the request on Tuesday, denying any audio, video, or electronics in the courtroom.
Richard Allen is accused of killing 13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi in February 2017. The case has received a whirlwind of news coverage across the nation following a barrage of twists and turns that even led to the Indiana Supreme Court stepping in to reinstate Allen’s attorneys after they were kicked off the case.
An evidence leak connected to the case even led to one man taking his own life and another man being arrested.
With the prosecutors accusing the defense team of contempt and the defense team accusing the prosecutors and police investigators of lying, many in the public have called on the trial to be streamed online in order to provide transparency to the case while also helping alleviate an onslaught of YouTubers and podcasters from descending on the small Carroll County courtroom.
FOX59’s Russ McQuaid attended a hearing in March where one unruly social media creator had to be removed from the courtroom during a hearing where the prosecutor leveled contempt allegations against Allen’s attorneys.
Allen’s trial is currently scheduled for May 13 through May 31.
