Richard Allen’s Alleged Confessions
The prosecution centered their case on statements by Allen they deemed confessions, including remarks to his wife and mother, such as, “I did it. I killed Abby and Libby,” and a statement to state psychiatrist Dr. John Martin on June 20, 2023: “I would like to apologize to the families.” These were presented as voluntary, unpressured admissions of guilt, with Dr. Martin testifying that Allen was lucid during the apology.
The Defense Argument:
Coercion via Solitary Confinement
The defense argued that Allen’s statements were not confessions but the product of extreme psychological duress from prolonged, harsh solitary confinement. Defense attorney Andrew Baldwin described Allen as “confused” upon their first meeting, likening the conditions to “Medieval torture techniques” designed to break a person’s will. Such conditions are known to induce false confessions, undermining the reliability of Allen’s statements.
Documented Mental Breakdown
In April 2023, Allen suffered a severe mental deterioration, found naked, covered in feces, and exhibiting psychosis. He was involuntarily medicated with haloperidol (Haldol), an antipsychotic. This documented breakdown directly contradicts the state’s claim that Allen’s subsequent statements were made freely or rationally, as his mental state was demonstrably compromised.
Contradicted Testimony on Lucidity
Dr. Martin’s testimony that Allen was lucid during the June 20, 2023, apology was dismantled during cross-examination. Video evidence from hours later showed Allen in a catatonic state, forcing Dr. Martin to concede the contradiction. This severely damaged the credibility of the state’s claim that Allen’s statements were reliable or spontaneous.
Questionable Medical Oversight
The defense questioned why multiple mental health professionals failed to address the detrimental effects of solitary confinement on Allen, asking, “Where is the moral compass?” They also cast doubt on Dr. Wala’s testimony and notes, suggesting potential bias or incompetence in the psychological evaluations used to bolster the state’s case.
Defense Attorney’s Instinct
Baldwin stated that from their first meeting, he believed Allen was innocent, describing him as an “innocent guy.” This conviction shaped the defense’s argument that Allen’s statements were not confessions but desperate utterances from a broken man.
The prosecution’s reliance on Allen’s statements ignores the well-documented psychological impact of solitary confinement, which can lead to false confessions, especially in individuals experiencing psychosis. The contradiction between Dr. Martin’s testimony and video evidence further erodes the state’s narrative, suggesting Allen’s statements were neither voluntary nor reliable. This raises significant ethical concerns about using such statements to secure a conviction.
New Information Since the Trial
In April 2025, recordings of Richard Allen’s phone calls from pre-trial detention were released to the public. These calls, made to his wife and mother between late 2022 and mid-2023, offer critical context to the so-called confessions. Rather than clear, rational admissions of guilt, the recordings reveal a man in profound psychological distress, often disoriented, emotionally unraveling, and at times seemingly desperate to appease loved ones. Listeners can now hear for themselves whether these statements resemble genuine, voluntary confessions, or the fragmented expressions of someone enduring extreme mental and emotional collapse.
Click here to hear the prison phone calls »
Learn More
Read about false confessions in contemporary academia »