Crime Stories with Nancy Grace - Richard Allen, Delphi Teen Convicted Killer, Sentenced to Over 100 Years in Prison. | Crime Alert Recap Sunday 12.22.24

Episode Date: December 22, 2024

Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert Here's three of our top stories this week:  Richard Allen, convicted of killing two Delpi teens, sentenced to over 100 years in prison.  Accused CEO assassin Luigi Magione facing the death penalty? A woman copycats the Manhattan CEO murder, stabbing company president.  Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.”   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an iHeart Podcast. Crime Alert, hourly update, breaking crime news now. I'm Nicole Parton with breaking news. Richard Allen, a resident of Indiana, received his sentence of 130 years in prison on Friday after being found guilty of the murders of two middle school girls. This ruling comes nearly eight years after the bodies of Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, were discovered near a hiking trail. Allen, now 52, was convicted of murder in November following a four-week trial concerning the deaths of two friends in Delphi.

The girls' bodies were uncovered on February 14, 2017, but their case remained unsolved for several years until Allen's arrest in October 2022. The arrest followed what Indiana State Police Superintendent described as a, quote, long-term and complex investigation. According to prosecutors, Allen confronted the girls on the Monon High Bridge Trail, where he allegedly threatened them with a gun, forced them down a hill, and killed them. On November 11, a jury found Allen guilty on all four counts of murder, one count of felony murder, and one count of murder for each victim. Given the charges, he faced a sentence ranging from 45 to 130 years. Allen's legal team has announced plans to appeal the verdict, asserting in a sentencing memo that he continues to proclaim

his innocence. The tragic events had a profound impact on Delphi, a small town with approximately 2,900 people located about 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis. Liberty German recorded video footage of a man who prosecutors allege was Allen on the day of the incident. Additional evidence presented included a.40 caliber bullet found at the crime scene linked to Allen's firearm and security footage capturing a black 2016 Ford Focus, which was registered solely to Allen in Carroll County at the time. Defense lawyers contended that no witnesses identified the man as the individual in the video, and they claimed there was no forensic or DNA evidence tying him to the crime. Prosecutors presented a recording of a jail phone call where Allen allegedly confessed to the murders, staying,

quote, I did it. I killed Abby. I killed Abby and Libby. At the time of the incident, Allen was employed at a CVS as a clerk in that town and was not initially considered a suspect until a file clerk sorting through numerous tips uncovered a mislabeled document in September 2022. This document indicated that Allen had contacted investigators shortly after the girl's disappearance, claiming to have been in the same area as them. Allen's defense maintained that he frequently walked the trail and approached the police voluntarily, asserting he was innocent. Allen will spend the next 130 years behind bars. I'm Jennifer Gould. Luigi Mangione, the suspect accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare

CEO Brian Thompson, appeared for his first federal court hearing in New York after waiving his right to an extradition hearing. The 26-year-old was flown from Pennsylvania to face charges related to the December 4th shooting of Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel. Mangione is facing multiple state and federal charges, including first-degree murder, terrorism, weapons offenses, criminal possession of a weapon, and a forged instrument. Federal charges include murder through the use of a firearm, interstate stalking, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. A terrorism charge accuses Mangione of committing a premeditated act intended to instill fear. Here's Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg at the press conference. Take a listen. This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.

It occurred in one of the most bustling parts of our city, threatening the safety of local residents and tourists alike, commuters and business people just starting out on their day. New details have emerged from the unsealed federal complaint regarding that notebook found in Mangione's possession. The ledger allegedly contained handwritten pages expressing hostility towards the insurance industry and wealthy executives. An August 15th entry notes, quote, the target is insurance, end quote, because it, quote, checks every box, end quote. Mangione's notebook also referenced an investor conference Thompson was set to attend the day he was gunned down. The federal complaint also reveals a letter Mangione allegedly wrote titled, quote, to the feds and, quote, claiming sole responsibility for the murder. Mangione, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania,

after being recognized from surveillance footage released by the NYPD. Federal prosecutors assert jurisdiction over the case due to Mangione's travel in interstate commerce from Atlanta to New York before the shooting, as well as his use of cell phones and the internet to plan the attack. As Mangione faces charges in both New York and Pennsylvania, his attorney has raised concerns about potential double jeopardy given the overlap between state and federal charges. The district attorney in Blair County, Pennsylvania, has said he was willing to put the Pennsylvania charges on hold

while New York authorities prosecute Mangione. If convicted of the federal charges, Mangione could face the death penalty. He faces life in prison on the federal charges, Mangione could face the death penalty. He faces life in prison on the state charges. Mangione is being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, the only federal prison in New York City. I'm Drew Nelson. The stabbing of a Michigan business president raises concerns about potential copycat attacks following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO earlier this month.

Nathan Mahoney, age 32, allegedly stabbed Eric Denslow, the president of Anderson Express in Muskegon County, Michigan. The attack occurred during a morning meeting at the company's office. Mahoney had only worked there for two weeks. There were no reports from any of the employees of anything unusual other than he had a quiet disposition. Deputy Chief Greg Paulson on WZZM. Police have not yet determined a motive but are investigating whether it was inspired by the high-profile CEO killing in New York. According to witnesses, Mahoney abruptly left the meeting for 10 minutes before coming back with a knife. He approached Denslow and stabbed him in the side. Paulson says, quote, we haven't ruled

out a copycat motive. It's something that comes to everyone's mind. After the stabbing, Mahoney fled in a black BMW. Police apprehended him in Sullivan Township after a brief pursuit. He's charged with assault, with intent to murder, and fleeing a police officer. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. His bond is set at half a million. Deputy Chief Paulson, thinking the bail amount is too low, remarks, quote, it's not the bond we recommended, but it's the one set by the judge. In court, Mahoney's attorney requested a lower bond, citing his lack of criminal history. But D.A. Matt Roberts argued against it, saying the act's brutality warranted a high bond. Denslow underwent surgery and remains

in serious but stable condition. Marianne Sabo, a spokesperson for Anderson Express, said in a statement, quote, we remain in shock over this senseless assault. Our first thought is with our president, who has good prognosis for recovery. We are focused on supporting our employees as they process this incident. Investigators are examining Mahoney's electronic devices and social media accounts for clues. Muskegon County Attorney Roberts describes the act as, quote, a violent, unprovoked attack. Mahoney's next court appearance is scheduled for the day after Christmas. Police continue to request public assistance for additional information related to the case.

Police can be contacted at 231-865-8477. For the latest crime and justice news, follow Crime Alert hourly update on your favorite podcast app. With this Crime Alert, I'm Drew Nelson. This is an iHeart Podcast.