ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. — An Allen County judge has decided cameras will be allowed in court for Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen's hearing on Thursday.
Judge Frances Gull said cameras would be allowed to partially protect Allen's "constitutional right" for due process.
Allen was arrested on Oct. 28, 2022, in connection with the February 2017 murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.
In granting cameras in the courtroom, Gull laid out how proceedings would go.
The courthouse will open at 8 a.m. for Allen's hearing at the Allen Superior Court.
All entrances will be closed, except for the entrance on the east side of the building. The remaining entrances will be locked with no access to the public.
All members of the public, including members of the media, will be subject to screening by metal detectors. All bags in possession of those entering the building are subject to search.
No weapons of any kind are permitted in the building, except for on-duty law enforcement officers providing security to the courthouse and the parties.
Cellphones are similarly not permitted in the building, and violations are subject to seizure and destruction of the cellphone. No electronic equipment or devices, including electronic watches, are permitted in the Allen County Courthouse.
Media personnel are permitted to attend the court session. One or two cameras providing pool coverage will be permitted in the court session.
"No still photography or other recording will be permitted. No other media equipment will be permitted in the courthouse. The court requests the media be mindful that other county offices are conducting business in the building unrelated to this case. Media and members of the public are ordered to conduct themselves in such a fashion as to limit disruption to the offices, personnel, and patrons of those offices. The media are free to use the public areas outside the courthouse as long as they do not obstruct traffic in the streets and sidewalks surrounding the courthouse," Gull wrote.
Public seating in the Allen Superior Courtroom One is limited to 90 spectators.
No food or beverages are permitted inside Allen Superior Court. Water will be permitted for the parties in the well of the courtroom.
All members of the public and media are required to follow directives of the sheriff of Carroll County, the sheriff of Allen County, courthouse security and courtroom security.
No court-produced recording will be made available to the public or media. The audio record made pursuant to Indiana Criminal Rule 5 may not be copied or used for purposes other than perpetuating the record.
At the conclusion of the scheduled hearing, all members of the public and media will remain seated in the courtroom until court security releases them. The court anticipates that all members of the public and the media will "conduct themselves in an appropriate fashion."