Attorneys for Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen again call for special judge's removal or recusal

CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. — The attorneys for Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen are again calling for the removal or recusal of the special judge in the case, Frances Gull.

In new court filings, Andrew Baldwin and Brad Rozzi, who were reinstated in the case by the Indiana Supreme Court less than two weeks ago, argue "there is no recognizable legal rationale which supports [Judge] Gull continuing to preside over this case."

The lawyers make several arguments against Gull in the documents, including a claim that she interfered with the attorney-client relationship by removing them – Allen's attorneys of choice – from the case.

"If the Indiana Supreme Court concluded that Judge Gull wrongfully denied Richard Allen of the attorneys of his choosing, wouldn't then, an objective person have a reasonable belief that she, Judge Frances C. Gull is [emphasis added] biased and prejudiced toward Defendant Allen?" the attorneys write.

The Indiana Supreme Court did rule that Gull could continue presiding over the case in the same decision that reinstated Allen's attorneys.

Allen is accused of killing Abby Williams and Libby German in February 2017.

In the filing, Baldwin and Rozzi make a number of additional arguments against Gull, including:

• That she "staged the pre-meditated removal" of Baldwin and Rozzi at an Oct. 12, 2023, hearing.
• That the concerns cited by Gull in her "forced removal" of the lawyers did not "[form] a basis for their removal under Indiana law" and "were a complete surprise to the defense."
• That she attempted to deny the lawyers the transcript of the in-chambers hearing.
• That she denied Allen his right to a speedy trial by forcing the removal of his chosen lawyers from the case.
• That she "has exhibited a lack of concern about and taken no action to protect the physical and mental health" of Allen.
• That she has treated the prosecution more favorably than the defense.