DELPHI, Ind. — Officials are warning the people of Carroll County that the cost of the Delphi murders trial will likely be twice the initial estimate, to a total of over $4 million.
13News first reported in March 2023 that county officials had asked for $2.1 million to pay for the most expensive trial ever in Carroll County. A new public notice this week asks for another $2 million added to this year's county budget.
Jury selection begins Oct. 14 for the trial of Richard Allen, who is charged with the February 2017 murders of Abby Williams and Libby German near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi.
The Carroll County auditor posted a public notice this week that officials are asking the county council for a new $2.4 million appropriation, which is not already in this year's budget, to pay for the trial.
Carroll County Emergency Management Director Mike Fincher serves on a special committee planning for this trial. He said several factors are driving up the additional estimated costs:
- The trial is now scheduled for five weeks. Two more weeks have been added to the trial since the first cost estimate. That's two more weeks of transportation, hotel rooms and food for the jury and the judge's staff brought in from Allen County.
- Richard Allen now has three public defenders representing him. That increases attorney fees, and the defense has also added expert witnesses. Carroll County taxpayers pay for the defense. The county will save some money as members of the Indiana Public Defender Commission. The commission will reimburse Carroll County for up to 40% of Allen's defense costs. That’s a significant savings for the small county.
- The county has increased security in and around the courthouse for this high-profile case.
The Carroll County Council will be asked to approve the additional $2.2 million at a meeting Oct. 17 at the courthouse. The meeting is open to public comment.