A judge dropped two kidnapping charges against suspected Delphi killer Richard Allen in the high-profile murder cases of a pair of Indiana best friends.

Allen, 51, is accused of murdering 13-year-old Abigail Williams and 14-year-old Liberty German, after the girls were dropped off near the Monon High Bridge for a hike in Delphi, Indiana, in February 2017, according to police.

Their bodies were found a day later on a trail in a nearby wooded area. 

Allen was arrested and charged in connection with Abby and Libby's murders in October 2022, more than five years after the alleged slayings. 

In January, Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland requested an amendment to the charges, to include two counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping, in addition to the original two counts of murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping, filed upon Allen's arrest, WTHR-TV reported. 

On Monday, Special Judge Frances Gull announced the dismissal of the pair of kidnapping charges, but approved the charges of murder, according to the outlet.

Gull also ruled future preliminary hearings would be held in Carroll County, but jury selection would consist of residents of Allen County, citing the suspect's right to a fair trial, NewsNation reported. The murders occurred in Carroll County. 

Allen's trial is slated to begin in May.