Teddy Allman
Testimony began Thursday in the long-delayed trial of a former Edinburgh man accused of three felonies that include rape.
A jury of six men and six women were chosen for the trial of Teddy Albert Allman, 51, in Bartholomew Circuit Court. The defendant is charged with a Level 1 felony count of rape when the victim is compelled by force or imminent threat of force.
In addition, Allman is also charged with criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon as a Level 3 felony, as well as intimidation with a deadly weapon as a Level 5 felony. If convicted on all counts, Allman could receive up to 62 years in prison, as well as fines totaling $30,000.
On the morning of Sept. 10, 2018, deputies with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call about a rape and battery at a mobile home community in Elizabethtown, according to court documents. Investigators later learned the victim knew Allman, and had taken out a protective order against him prior to the attack, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The injured woman told investigators that Allman broke into her home and used duct tape and zip-ties to bind her during the sexual assault and battery, the affidavit states. Evidence introduce Thursday includes a photo where the front door appeared to have been dented by a kick.
The victim also told police that Allman struck her in the face multiple times and kicked her during the assault, the affidavit states.
As he held a knife to the victim’s throat, Allman allegedly took photos with his cell phone, the affidavit states.
While on the witness stand Thursday, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Capt. David Steinkoenig said it appeared Allman may have been living in his car at the time of the assault. Recent online records list the jail as Allman’s address.
When Allman and Steinkoenig confronted each other later that day in Elizabethtown, Allman offered to give the deputy information regarding illegal drug use, Steinkoenig testified. After a defense objection, the judge asked the jury to leave the courtroom to confer privately with the defense and prosecution.
When the jury returned, Benjamin instructed them to disregard any reference regarding drug information because there was no evidence the defendant was seeking anything in return for the information.
Former crime scene investigator James Stevens, who worked the case, testified that he arrived before Steinkoenig near the Elizabethtown post office where Allman’s car was parked.
Stevens and Detective Jason Williams ordered the defendant out of the car at gunpoint, because they were informed he had a knife, Stevens said. Police did find a large knife in a sheath secured to the defendant’s belt, he added.
In addition, the jury was shown a plastic bag taken from the car that originally contained five twist-ties with only two remaining. Multiple rolls of duct tape, as well as at least one cell phone, were taken from the vehicle and placed into an evidence room, Stevens said.
While it’s possible the case could go to the jury late this week, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Scherschel said he still has a number of witnesses to call before the state rests and the defense presents its case. It’s more likely that the jury will start deliberations on Monday, Deputy Prosecutor Sara Laska said.
The defense is being handled by attorneys William E. Happel and Sean Thomasson.
