Hearing in Delphi murder suspect case this Friday
Also, United Way offering free tax preparation, softball jamboree Jan. 14, and mayor’s prayer breakfast
This article is brought to you by Freedom Financial.
Our friend, Dave Bangert from Based in Lafayette, Indiana, produced the following report on the case against Richard Allen, the suspect in the 2017 murders of two Delphi girls, Abby Williams and Libby German. We are pleased to share this information with you. Dave also recently did a story about former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and his contemplation of a run for U.S. Senate. Dave does great work, and we encourage you to check him out!
By Dave Bangert, Based in Lafayette, Indiana
Already set to hear arguments Friday morning about a change of venue request and a gag order in the trial of Richard Allen, Judge Fran Gull said in a Monday order that she’ll also consider a motion from Allen’s attorneys to turn over a host of investigative records tied to the 2017 murders of Delphi teens Abby Williams and Libby German.
One of Allen’s court-appointed lawyers, Brad Rozzi, on Dec. 30 filed a request to get names, addresses, and statements of potential witnesses, including confidential witnesses; statements collected or overheard by investigators from Allen; reports from any expert “test, examination, or comparison made in connection with this particular case;” deals offered to potential witnesses for testimony; criminal records of any witnesses; a list of dates and times Allen appeared in lineups or photo arrays presented to witnesses; a written statement from Prosecutor Nick McLeland about whether he has exculpatory or favorable information about Allen; and several pages more.
Allen’s attorneys also requested personnel records of former Sheriff Tobe Leazenby, current Sheriff Tony Liggett, and deputy Michael Thomas. Thomas filed a lawsuit in fall 2022 claiming he was demoted after the May 2022 primary – one he lost – out of retaliation for ways he pressed to pursue the murder case early on.
Judge Fran Gull, a special judge in the case, wrote in Monday’s order that the motion would be included among a pair of Friday morning hearings scheduled in the Carroll County Courthouse.
The hearing will be the first time Allen, 50, of Delphi, has been in court since an appearance Nov. 22.
Also up Friday:
Change of venue: Rozzi and Baldwin asked to move Allen’s trial at least 150 miles from Carroll County. They argued that the high percentage of Delphi and Carroll County residents who had either been interviewed by police, had searched for the girls when they went missing on the Monon High Bridge Trail in February 2017, or had another vested interest in the outcome would make it too difficult to select a jury.
A gag order: McLeland requested one to keep participants, family members, and investigators from talking publicly about the case. Gull imposed a temporary gag order in the high-profile case a day after Allen’s attorneys laid out a lengthy dissection of newly unsealed charging documents tied to two murder charges. The temporary order prohibits comments from the prosecutors, defense attorneys, their professional staff, law enforcement officials, court personnel, the coroner, and all family members “from commenting on this case to the public and to the media, directly or indirectly, by themselves or through any intermediary, in any form, including any social media platforms.”
Gull scheduled a Feb. 17 hearing to consider bail for Allen.
United Way offers free tax preparation
United Way serving Howard and Tipton Counties is again providing free tax preparation, providing a free, convenient, and professional tax preparation service for individuals and families in Howard and Tipton Counties.
“We are excited to kick off this year’s tax preparation program,” said Cheryl Graham, United Way Tax Preparation Program Coordinator. “We provide completely free tax preparation and e-filing of both State and Federal returns. We have a free option available with MyFreeTaxes.com for those completing their own taxes and starting Jan. 23, there will be a packet drop off program in partnership with organizations in Howard and Tipton Counties.”
Free tax packets may be picked up at the following locations:
● Kokomo Howard County Public Library (KHCPL)- Downtown
● KHCPL South Branch
● KHCPL Russiaville
● Greentown Public Library
● Tipton Public Library
“Tax Preparation the United Way” offers free tax preparation to individuals and families with a combined household income of $60,000 or less. This program, in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is designed to ensure residents receive all tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible. Volunteers are certified by the IRS to provide free, basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. All training and materials are free.
Additional information on Tax Preparation location hours and materials needed to prepare taxes can be found on United Way’s website at unitedwayhoco.org/tax-preparation/. Questions can be directed toward Cheryl Graham at 765-450-7619 or by emailing freetaxprep@unitedwayhoco.org.
Individuals and families with an annual income of $66,000 or less in 2022 also qualify for My Free Taxes, a free online tax preparation tool provided by H&R Block and United Way partnerships. File your taxes from any web browser at www.myfreetaxes.com.
Kokomo Schools Softball Jamboree Jan. 14
Girls ages 5-12 who attend a Kokomo School Corporation school are invited to the 2023 Kokomo Lady Wildkats 13th annual Softball Jamboree at Kokomo High School, 2501 S. Berkley Road, in the new (west) gym on Jan. 14 from noon until 2 p.m.
Jamboree participants will play games, have fun, learn softball fundamentals, and receive instruction from coaches and players. Demonstrations of softball fundamentals will be conducted. The annual Jamboree includes an opportunity for each girl to participate in drills on running, throwing, batting, sliding, bunting, and pitching.
Girls are also asked to wear indoor gym clothes and clean tennis shoes. Clothes should be safe to run in. Please bring a mitt and a bottle of water. No other equipment is needed.
For additional information or questions, contact KHS softball coach Mike Susong at msusong@kokomok12.in.us.
Carson honored at mayor’s prayer breakfast
Mayor Tyler Moore and the Howard County Ministerial Association hosted the annual Mayor’s Prayer and Action Breakfast at the Cross America on Monday, Jan. 9.
“This event is always a positive way to start off a new year,” said Moore. “When we come together in prayer, unity, and fellowship. it moves the focus from the ‘me’ to the ‘us.’ It truly does bring us together as a community.”
This annual, interdenominational service brings civic and religious leaders together to offer prayers of intercession for elected officials, police, firefighters, educators, leaders of the labor, business, and medical communities, as well as spiritual leaders.
Moore presented the 13th annual Faith and Community in Action Award to the Rev. Dr. Michael C. Carson. The award honors spiritually based individuals or groups who contribute, through their time and talent, in making a positive difference in our community.
“Since coming to Kokomo, Dr. Carson has become a vital and essential part of our community,” said Moore. “Through his actions and words, he has been a true servant to our city and residents. His commitment to Kokomo is only surpassed by his commitment to God.”
Carson is the pastor of First Friends Church and a long-time community activist in Kokomo. He was the pastor at Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church from 1991-2005. He previously served at Alexander AME Church in Evansville, Bethel AME Church in Mt. Vernon, Ind., Union Memorial AME Church in Benton Harbor, Mich., Coppin Chapel AME Church in Indianapolis, and St. Paul AME Church in Indianapolis.
Carson is a columnist for numerous publications including the Kokomo Tribune. A graduate of Earlham College, he earned degrees from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and United Theological Seminary. Carson is a volunteer Coach for Player Development at Kokomo High School under Coach John Peckinpaugh. He also served in that capacity under former coaches Mike Wade and Basil Mawbey.
Faith and Community in Action Award winners:
2021 Dennine Smith, Coordinated Assistance Ministries
2020 Ruth Lawson, Coordinated Assistance Ministries
2019 Morgan Young, Oakbrook Church
2018 Rev. Lonnie E. Anderson, Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church
2017 Kevin Smith, Crossroads Community Church
2016 Beth Notaro, Community Activist
2015 Travis Taflinger and Casey Cline, Bridges Outreach
2014 Kevin Sprinkle, Community Activist
2013 Reba Harris, Director of the Gilead House
2012 Van Taylor, Director of the Kokomo Rescue
2011 Jeff Newton, Director of Kokomo Urban Outreach
2010 Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer