Delphi defense team withdraws right to speedy trial

May 7—After a fiery back and forth between themselves and Judge Fran Gull, the legal team for Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen withdrew their right to a speedy trial during a hearing Tuesday in Allen County Superior Court. Allen's trial was originally set to begin next week.

But defense attorney Bradley Rozzi told Gull Tuesday the defense would need "15 business" days to present a strong and thorough case, something he said would be impossible within the limits of the May 13-31 dates previously allotted.

The trial will now kick off on Oct. 14 in Carroll Circuit Court.

"I don't want the back end of the trial to end on a certain date," Rozzi told the court. "It ends when it ends. ... I have never been involved with a court telling us it (the trial) is going to end on this date."

"That's a shocking reality, Mr. Rozzi," Gull responded, "to have an open-ended trial."

As for the state, Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland said he wasn't sure how long the prosecution would take to present their case, adding that they had between 40-45 witnesses.

McLeland also noted he was hoping to "streamline" the evidence and witnesses, causing Rozzi to tell the court the defense was "at the mercy" of the prosecution.

So to present the case properly, Rozzi said the waiver of a speedy trial seemed to be the only option left.