13 Things To Know From The #Delphi Murders Trial Today - Nov 8🧵
1. No verdict today. On the first full day of deliberations, jurors arrived around 8:55am & left the courthouse at 3:50pm. For those keeping score at home, that’s roughly 9 hours of deliberation time so far. #wthr
1. No verdict today. On the first full day of deliberations, jurors arrived around 8:55am & left the courthouse at 3:50pm. For those keeping score at home, that’s roughly 9 hours of deliberation time so far. #wthr
2. A lot of folks I spoke to outside the courthouse expected a verdict today—especially since it’s Friday & the assumption is the sequestered jurors (understandably) want to reunite w their families in time for the weekend. It’s just not that simple. SO much evidence to review.
3. Making this case so complex: multiple timelines the jury must review (time of murders vs witness statements & forensic data, dates of confessions vs dates of RA mental health diagnosis) and 100% opposite testimony from state & defense experts on ballistics & RA mental health.
4. That complexity combined with the jury’s demonstrated curiosity and willingness to ask lots of questions suggests the deliberations could well last several more days. So no real surprise that we do not have a verdict after just 9 hours of deliberations.
5. The jury can ask to re-view evidence. It occurred to me that jurors did not get to listen to Bridge Guy’s “down the hill” statement side-by-side with Richard Allen’s voice during his interrogations. They could ask to do that. I expect they’ll soon ask to re-view some evidence.
6. If that happens, Allen & his attorneys (and the prosecutors) will be allowed to be in the courtroom while jurors revisit evidence & testimony. So don’t get freaked out if Allen arrives at the courthouse in the coming days — not necessarily a sign that jurors reached a verdict.
7. That brings us to timing of a verdict. Once jurors have a decision, it will likely be 90-120 minutes before it’s read in court. Allen is 30 min away at the Cass Co Jail. He & other people must arrive & more security measures must be implemented before a verdict is announced.
8. While jurors deliberated inside, lots of people gathered outside. Some of the 80+ folks outside the courthouse made signs. Some of those signs supported the victims & their families or Richard Allen, while others criticized how the case has been handled by the judge & police.
9. Friday morning we also noticed many businesses around downtown Delphi had newly-painted messages in honor of Abby & Libby — a reminder of why so much local, state, national & international attention is focused on this small Indiana town.
10. A security change was made at the courthouse Friday. Vans that transport jurors will no longer exit at the NW corner of the building. I was told it’s an effort to prevent jurors from seeing signs of protest or support that could influence their opinion & impact the verdict.
11. The jury will restart deliberations Sat morning at 9:00. If there is no verdict by Sat night, jurors will get an off day on Sun before resuming discussions Mon morning.
Judge Gull said a few days ago that everyone needs a rest on Sun; these jurors deserve it.
Judge Gull said a few days ago that everyone needs a rest on Sun; these jurors deserve it.
12. The Delphi Murders Trial So Far (by the numbers):
-64 witnesses
-387 exhibits
-17 days of testimony
-9 hours of deliberations
-23 days jurors sequestered
-36 police depts providing security
-29 video/audio clips played for jury
-4 murder charges facing R Allen
-64 witnesses
-387 exhibits
-17 days of testimony
-9 hours of deliberations
-23 days jurors sequestered
-36 police depts providing security
-29 video/audio clips played for jury
-4 murder charges facing R Allen
13. One more Delphi Debrief this week to take a closer look at everything that happened on Day 19. I’m joined by an all-star team including @EmilyWTHR @SamJohnsonNews @ScottWTHR and 13News legal analyst Katie Jackson-Lindsay. #wthr
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