Christmas at the Seiberling kicks off Nov. 26
Also, a first-hand account of the Richard Allen probable cause affidavit hearing
Christmas at the Seiberling
From the reindeer of Rudolph to the leg lamp of “A Christmas Story,” from Marley’s clanging chains to Clarence’s tinkling bell, from a manger in Bethlehem to a church in New York City, from angels to elves, the symbols of Christmas fill our heads and hearts. And, starting Nov. 26, the “Symbols of Christmas” will fill the Seiberling Mansion.
“This year, our decorators are celebrating the holidays with all the traditions that we treasure,” said Judy Brown, co-chair of the committee in charge of the annual decorating effort. “We have a lot of new decorators this year and it will be exciting to see how they use our theme, ‘A Symbolic Christmas.’” Co-chair Angela Washington said the decorators worked hard for two weeks in November, transforming the Seiberling to dazzle visitors throughout the next month.
Festivities will kick off with Santa’s arrival at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, and the annual lighting ceremony once again sponsored by Wyman Group. Admission for opening night and the Candlelight Tour is $10 per person; for all other “Christmas at the Seiberling” evenings, tickets are free. Tickets can be reserved on the HCHS website: https://howardcountymuseum.org/programs/christmas-at-the-seiberling.
Whenever you come, don’t forget to vote for your favorite decorated room with donations to support the historical society. Each room will have a jar for registering your vote with a donation.
As is custom, charitable sponsors, including Community First Bank, Financial Builders, Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo, Holiday Inn Express, and First Farmers Bank & Trust have made possible free admission to six December nights of Christmas at the Seiberling (Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16, from 4 to 8 p.m.). Duke Energy is underwriting the Candlelight Tour Dec. 17 (tickets are $10 each).
Musical groups will provide entertainment on opening night and several Sundays.
Visitors are also welcome during regular hours, 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with regular admission.
A first-hand account from the Richard Allen hearing
Special report to the Kokomo Lantern from Clee Oliver
This morning, Nov. 22, 2022, I was fortunate to be able to attend the hearing of Richard Matthew Allen on his request to release the probable cause affidavit. I say fortunate because the court room was full to capacity until additional chairs were brought in for those still waiting to attend the hearing—including myself.
At 7:30 a.m., waiting in line outside the north side of the courthouse were approximately 25 individuals in front of me. On entry to the courthouse, we had to go through two searches, one by hand scanner and another by standup scanner. Purses, bags, coats, and most other items were searched by hand with a tremendous presence of law enforcement around. I saw Carroll Cunty Sheriff deputies, state police, Delphi city and even Purdue officers in attendance.
Once inside the courthouse, we had to climb stairs to the third floor. Circuit Court was just to our right. At the door of the court room, you could see that the limited number of seats were occupied. As I waited to enter and get a seat, I was then directed to the back of the court room to a table with four chairs. The left side of the courtroom was blocked off, so I was directed to the middle of the gallery. The first row across two sections was blocked off. Behind that row were four rows of nine seats across with two sections totaling 54 seats.
Waiting for approximately 45 minutes, the Carroll County Sheriff made an announcement that Judge Gull requested no conversation was to take place and that cell phones were to be off. If any cell phone happens to go off, they would be confiscated and destroyed, and anyone talking would be escorted out.
A few minutes later, individuals were starting to come in and populate the front of the courtroom—assuming attorneys and court staff. Once Judge Gull came in and everyone rose, we were then told we could sit. Off to my right approximately 15 feet, where the courtroom aisle was blocked, the defendant Richard M. Allen entered.
Richard Allen was dressed in a bright yellow jumpsuit, shackles on both hands and ankles, with four law enforcement officers escorting him to the defendant’s table; two in front and two behind. His attorneys were behind and took seats on either side of him. My observation of Richard Allen was he is of small build; shorter than I suspected. I would say 5’4”-5’6”. He walked in a short gait due to the shackles on his ankles. He did not look up but kept his head down when entering and exiting the court room.
Judge Gull gave her “Courthouse Management and Decorum Order” which were posted just inside the courthouse on a table. Much of what was described above.
The Carroll County prosecuting attorney, Nicholas McLeland, then addressed the court, requesting that the probable court affidavit continue to be sealed. He gave a number of reasons for it to stay sealed, but the most compelling one seemed to be that the investigation is ongoing and that there were names listed of potential additional subjects as well as witnesses. If it were to be released in its entirety there could be much harm to the prosecution in addition to those names listed in the affidavit.
Additionally, there is a petition of 40,000 signatures in support of its continuation of being sealed. He did present to the court, though, a redacted version of the affidavit in case the Judge were to consider releasing parts of the affidavit, with items blacked out. Mr. McLeland also filed a gag order before court today against all law enforcement officers, attorneys, court personnel, the coroner, as well as family members.
The defense then gave their side, saying that the affidavit should be released. Much speculation over this case has and will be discussed throughout the city, county, state, and beyond, said his court-appointed attorney, Bradley Rozzi, at the request of the defendant. Releasing the affidavit will dispel much of the conspiracies.
He also discussed the right to public access statute IC 5-14-3-1 (Public policy; construction; burden of proof for nondisclosure). As well as I.C 1-1-4-5 (Definitions applicable to construction of all Indiana statutes: Sec. 5. (a) The following definitions apply to the construction of all Indiana statutes, unless the construction is plainly repugnant to the intent of the general assembly or of the context of the statute).
Additionally, Richard Allen’s attorney does not believe that information contained in the affidavit goes far enough to put blame on his client. Therefore, the defendant wishes to have the probable cause affidavit released in its entirety to dispel those rumors. In addition to Mr. Rozzi was attorney Andrew J. Baldwin of Franklin.
In addition, Richard Allen’s attorney requested bail for his client. A bail hearing was set for Feb. 17, 2023, at 10 a.m. in the Delphi courthouse. As far as release of the affidavit, Judge Gull said she would take it under advisement and look over the attorneys’ documents and decide later. She did not give an indication on the release of her decision.
Court adjourned, and Richard M. Allen was escorted from the court room the way he had come in. The gallery waited while the defendant, attorneys, and court personnel left the court room. Inside and outside there was a large law enforcement presence. On all three floors were officers directing individuals as they did in the courtroom. All said, the hearing was concluded at approximately 10:10 a.m.