Accused Delphi killer Richard Allen created false stories during his psychotic state and alleged that “Satan killed the girls,” according to a neuropsychologist who testified for the defense.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, in the fall of 2022, police arrested Allen for the murders of teens Libby German and Abby Williams. By spring 2023, he began confessing to the crimes, and corrections officers and a psychologist noted changes in his behavior.
Testimony from corrections officers revealed that Allen began hitting his head against the wall, washing his face in the toilet, refusing food, eating paper, smearing feces in his cell, and covering his face with feces for two hours.
Neuropsychologist Polly Westcott, who the defense hired in May 2023, testified Monday that Allen entered jail with depression and anxiety.
Westcott diagnosed Allen with dependent personality disorder and emphasized his significant dependence on his wife, Kathy.
Westcott reported that when Allen lost contact with his wife, his depression worsened and developed into psychosis. She observed that he experienced hallucinations, psychotic episodes, and suicidal thoughts.
“He fell apart,” she testified.
Allen spent 13 months in solitary confinement, which Westcott indicated “can affect brain chemistry.”
“Your brain can’t tell what’s real,” she said. “It’s like being in a fun house. You don’t know what’s reality and what’s not.”
Allen went on to confess to the murders over 61 times, including confessions to his family, corrections offficers and other inmates.
Despite this, Allen has pleaded not guilty not guilty to murder charges while the defense maintains that jail conditions forced him into false confessions.
The trial continues. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Abby and Libby/Handout]
