Delphi: Can Richard Allen's Appeal Actually Win?

This episode of *True Crime Today* examines the legal aftermath of Richard Allen's conviction in the 2017 murder of two teenage girls in Indiana, focusing on the upcoming appellate review. Hosts Tony Bruschi and Robin Green, joined by legal analyst Bob Mata, break down the narrow but critical scope of appellate review: not guilt or innocence, but whether the trial process was constitutionally sound. They analyze the defense’s strategic limitations—page constraints and waiver issues—and emphasize that the most promising avenue for a reversal lies in the Napui-Glossop issue, tied to the trial court’s failure to properly address a motion to correct error. While the appellate court may affirm on the first two issues, the third and fourth—particularly the exclusion of defense evidence and the inability to present a meaningful defense—are seen as potential game-changers. The discussion extends to the possibility of a new trial, either through the Indiana Supreme Court or post-conviction proceedings, where newly discovered evidence and claims of ineffective counsel could emerge. The hosts express deep concern about the emotional toll on victims’ families versus the moral imperative of justice, cautioning that convicting the wrong person undermines the entire system. They conclude that while a new trial is possible, it would be a long, arduous battle, and if Allen is acquitted, the case may remain unsolved—especially if the real killer is already dead.