(WXIN/WTTV) — A full, 43-second video taken by Libby German just before she and her friend Abby Williams were murdered has surfaced online. The video was a crucial piece of evidence in the Delphi murders trial, which ended in the conviction of suspect Richard Allen.
The video, which captures a suspect who has come to be known as “Bridge Guy,” was taken on German’s cell phone via Snapchat while she and Williams walked Delphi’s Monon High Bridge on Feb. 13, 2017. The two young girls were murdered soon after the video was taken.
The “Bridge Guy” video
In the video, Williams is seen walking along the bridge with a man walking closely behind her. At this point, Williams can be heard saying something to German referencing the man walking behind her. Soon after, she says something that can be interpreted as “Don’t leave me.”
Carroll County Sheriff Tony Liggett told trial jurors last fall that in the video he heard Williams say to German: “Is he right here? Don’t leave me up here.”
She then appears to hurry off of the bridge and walks in front of German, who is pointing her phone toward the ground. Williams says something as she passes by German, but it is not clear what. Both girls appear to be sniffling, but that could be due to the cold weather.
Sheriff Liggett alleged that, at this point in the video, German could be heard saying, “This is the path. That be a gun.”
Multiple FOX59/CBS4 staffers have reviewed the video and heard potential references to a gun made by the girls at around 17 seconds. However, the audio is not definitive.
The video then captures German’s voice as she discusses a potential route to walk off of the usual bridge path.
“There’s no path going there, so we have to go down here,” German says.
After German finishes talking at around 25 seconds, no one is heard speaking for the next 13 or so seconds.
Then, at around 38 seconds, a man’s voice can be heard saying the words “Guys, down the hill.” German can be heard replying “Hi” after the man says “guys,” but before he says “down the hill.”
Prosecutors and police alleged during trial that the sound of a gun racking could be heard during this portion of the video. While sounds can be heard, they could be interpreted in many ways and may just be noise from gravel and sticks being stepped on.
While the full, 43-second video taken by German was played in court, this is the first time this it has been released to the public. The video can be seen below:
The trial of Richard Allen
Police previously released an audio clip of the man’s voice as they searched for suspects. A still photo of the man was also released, which came to be known as the Bridge Guy photo.
Over five years later, Richard Allen was arrested by Indiana State Police for the murders. During his highly-publicized trial, prosecutors argued that Allen was the “Bridge Guy” seen in the video and that he was the one who was solely responsible for the girls’ deaths.
Jurors agreed with the prosecution, and Allen was found guilty last November on all counts in relation to the murders. In December, he was sentenced to 130 years in prison.
During deliberations, jurors asked to specifically view the “Bridge Guy” video in court one more time, according to one juror who spoke with the Murder Sheet podcast.
The jury’s guilty or not guilty vote reportedly came after they watched the video.
“Our foreman was like, ‘Are you kidding me? We’re unanimous,” the juror said. “If it wasn’t Richard Allen, who possibly else could it have been? There wasn’t anyone else wearing those clothes.”
The juror also said there was admiration for the two girls in their jury room. During trial, prosecutors said they were heroes of their own case, with German having the presence of mind to capture Allen on video and Williams for hiding the phone under her body for police to find.
For a full day-by-day recap of Allen’s trial, click here.
Aftermath, Allen’s appeal
The video being released online comes the day after Allen’s attorneys made a filing in the Indiana Court of Appeals challenging their client’s conviction, something his defense team immediately said they were planning to do.
The footage was released on a website called “Justice for Rick Allen,” which appears to be controlled by supporters who have aligned themselves with Allen’s defense team. In an attempt to prove he is innocent, the website’s operators say they are releasing evidence presented at trial. The post containing the video says:
“The attorneys representing Mr. Allen continue to receive a considerable number of inquiries and requests for access to public records and exhibits related to State of Indiana v. Richard Allen.
In response to similar requests, the Court has stated that “the exhibits are needed for the production of a transcript if one is requested by the parties” and that fulfilling such requests “will interrupt the process and guarantee the Reporter will be forced to ask the Indiana Court of Appeals for an extension of time [to] file the transcript.”
Recognizing the significant public interest and in the spirit of transparency, this site will serve as a central resource for accessing public records, exhibits, frequently asked questions, and updates on Mr. Allen’s post-conviction legal proceedings. All information will be provided in accordance with the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records and Indiana Code 5-14-3.“
Despite this, no specific person has claimed to be the source of the video. Allen’s attorneys told FOX59/CBS4 in a statement Wednesday that, despite the timing, the video being released has nothing to do with his appeal.
“The fact that the video was posted on a website has nothing to do with the pending appeal or the fairness of the trial at the heart of that appeal,” attorney Stacey Uliana said.