The bodies of Liberty “Libby” German, 14, and Abigail “Abby” Williams, 13, were found near a creek along a hiking trail in February 2017.

Richard Allenwho was accused of 2017 murders of two teenagers in Delphi Indiana, has been found guilty.

Allen was convicted of four counts of murder after the jury deliberated over a four-day period, according to the Associated Presshe Indianapolis Star and WTHR.

The bodies of Liberty “Libby” German, 14, and Abigail “Abby” Williams, 13, were found near a creek along a hiking trail in February 2017. During opening statements in Allen’s trial, which began on October 18, prosecutors revealed that the girls had had their throats slit, according to the AP, fox 59 and the Indianapolis Star.

Citing prosecutors, Fox 59 and the Star reported that Libby was found naked and covered in blood, while Abby was found dressed in Libby’s clothes.

For five years no suspect was identified. But in 2022, police arrested Allen, a Delphi resident, after searching his home and allegedly finding knives and a gun that authorities said was linked to a bullet found at the scene, the AP reported.

While behind bars with his trial pending, Allen allegedly confessed to the murders during a phone call with his wife, prosecutors claimed, according to the AP. cnn and Fox 59.

But during his trial, Allen’s attorney, Andrew Baldwin, said the confession was made during a time when his client was in a compromised mental state, Fox 59 reported.

During closing arguments, prosecutor Nick McLeland reminded the jury of Allen’s alleged confession and asked them to find him guilty of murder.

Want to stay up to date with the latest crime coverage? Enroll in PEOPLE free true crime newsletter for breaking crime news, coverage of ongoing trials and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

“Now all the pieces are clear,” McLeland said, according to WTHR. “He kidnapped them and then murdered them. He cut their throats. He stole Abby and Libby’s youth and life.”

Defense attorney Brad Rozzi questioned the prosecutor’s proposed timeline. Rozzi also attempted to discredit state witnesses who described the so-called “bridge boy” seen on video walking at the trial where the girls were killed, who prosecutors say is Allen.

“Something’s wrong here,” Rozzi said, according to WTHR. “Something’s not right.”

Allen’s defense team has tried to claim that the murders were actually committed by Odinists, members of a Norse pagan religion linked to white nationalism, as part of a ritual sacrifice, according to defense motions obtained by the AP and CNN.

But a judge prevented the defense from presenting the Odinist theory during the trial, citing a lack of evidence, court records indicate.

After the girls were found in 2017, Liberty’s grandfather, Mike Patty, he told PEOPLE who were best friends who loved playing sports and hiking together.