Lori Vallow Daybell smiled in court several times during an Aug. 16, 2022 pretrial hearing. (Law&Crime Network)
The triple murder trial for Lori Vallow Daybell, 49, a “doomsday cult”-connected mother of two dead children and two dead ex-husbands began in earnest with opening statements in Ada County, Idaho on Monday morning.
Vallow and her fifth and current husband, Chad Daybell, 54, stand accused of murder over the 2019 deaths of Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ashlyn Ryan, 17. The children disappeared on different dates in September of that year. Vallow was initially arrested in Hawaii in February 2020 on charges of child desertion. Daybell was arrested later that year after the children’s bodies were found buried at his property. The two defendants were indicted for the murder of Vallow’s children and Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell, 49, in May 2021. Initially being prosecuted as husband-and-wife co-defendants, the couple’s cases were recently severed and will be tried separately.
On Friday, jury selection wrapped up with 12 jurors and six alternates being chosen from nearly 2,000 Ada County residents who received a summons. The trial is being overseen by Seventh District Judge Steven Boyce, who previously explained to would-be jurors that the complicated case is expected to last as long as eight weeks.
Lori Vallow works with her defense attorneys during the final day of jury selection on April 7, 2023 in Ada County, Idaho. (Pool courtroom sketch artist)
The court has barred the use of any cameras or digital recording devices throughout the process. Reporters are allowed to use Twitter from inside the courthouse and an assemblage of media outlets pooled resources for a courtroom sketch artist to provide an analog record of the events that occur.
Law&Crime correspondent Gigi McKelvey will provide rolling updates as the case progresses Monday and throughout the trial:
The media overflow room is nowhere near full. There’s a mixture of public and media here. We were just told if anyone is caught filming anything they’ll be banned from attending the entire trial #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
There is a heaviness today. The reality of why were are here isn’t lost on anyone sitting in this room. Justice begins for JJ, Tylee, and Tammy any moment now. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 3:30 P.M. MST – Brandon Boudreaux IDs the Shooter and Is Cross-Examined
He looked up some things online about the shooting. He knew who did it and he got worried thinking back to previous things that happened and re-read emails Charles sent him #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
The people Charles named were people who attended these “fireside” meetings. There were emails from Chad Daybell Charles had sent to Brandon He google’d Chad and saw Tammy Daybell had died. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Brandon told law enforcement. Then he learned JJ and Tylee were missing as this progressed. Once he realized Alex shot at him he realized nobody had seen Tylee or JJ. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Mr Thomas is up for the defense to cross exam Brandon. He says Oct 2 he was shot at and did google searches – what about? Brandon said Chad Daybell to figure out who he was. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Thomas asks if he was able to get the license plate and he said no. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Mr Thomas asks how far away the shot was and Brandon said maybe 20-30 feet. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Mr Thomas asks if this could have been a stray bullet and he said no. He saw a silencer but no muzzle flash. Is it possible the shot came from somewhere else? Brandon says no. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
When he found out they found the remains, his wedding was scheduled for June 10 so he had that and he then came to Rexburg. Law enforcement asked him to ID JJ. They asked why ask you . He said we were family. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Brandon Boudreaux is finished testifying. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 3:15 P.M. MST – A Detailed Retelling of the Day of the Shooting
October 2, 2019 – the day Brandon was shot at. He woke up and got kids ready for school. Dropped 2 oldest at school 3rd child at daycare and the baby with Melani. He then went to the gym #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Brandon headed home and had been there just a few days. The only people who knew were neighbors who helped him move and Melani. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
When he turns down the street and came around the corner he saw a Jeep in front of his driveway and he saw it was parked touching the van that was already there, TX license plate & spare tire was gone. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
The window was kinds open and came up. He saw a silencer and heard a bang and his drivers side window shattered so he hit the gas and went forward. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
He called 911 and parked next to the community pool when saw the Jeep come around the corner so he followed it. 911 dispatch told him not to so he parked in front of his house and he waited on police. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Brandon later met with detectives and he realized Tylee had a Jeep Charles bought her and Charles had given Brandon the VIN number so he gave it to detectives. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 3:06 P.M. MST – An Attempted Shooting and an Objection
October 2 – Brandon was shot at – OBJECTION by the defense. Sidebar. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
October 2 – Brandon was shot at – OBJECTION by the defense. Sidebar. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
The state believes this is part of a common scheme or plan and Lori and her conspirators conspired to kill JJ, Tylee, and Tammy. To remove obstacles for their plan. The shootings at and killing of spouses was part of this scheme or plan #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Lori would have benefited financially from Brandon’s death. She told people Melani’s money would help them in the future. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Also, the shooting at Brandon is what got law enforcement involved and looking for JJ and Tylee. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Thomas says this is a stretch at best. He asks for it not to be allowed in or have Brandon come back and testify once foundation has been laid. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Judge Boyce said on Feb 22 the court issued an oral ruling he will not prohibit the evidence and will permit the 404b evidence to be admitted but there’s no record that goes into the common scheme. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Objection overruled. The danger for the state is sufficient evidence doesn’t come in later to support this testimony they may have an issue. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 2:44 P.M. MST – Brandon Boudreaux Cannot Reconcile With His Wife
The new things Melani started doing was going to temple every day which is extreme. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
She would eventually have to go if they were on a family trip like Disneyland. She focused on the end of the world and they argued about buying $10k in food storage early on. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
June 23rd Brandon’s grandpa died of a heart attack and he was told about the funeral on the 25th. Melani said her and the kids weren’t going and didn’t want anything to do with it which obviously upset Brandon #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
He took time and apologized and said he would accept she wouldn’t go. She said God revealed to her of hacking Lori’s computer. (lori whispers to Thomas) #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
That argument went on for hours. Her dad got involved and she accused Brandon of being a homosexual and other things. She went to sleep and he was overwhelmed. He texted Charles and Lori frustrated. Lori didn’t text back #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
He is emotional. He said he kept distance with Charles at Melani’s request. They ended up divorcing #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 1:39 P.M. MST – The State Calls Their Second Witness
Next witness is Brandon Boudreaux #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Brandon introduces himself. He says he has been married twice. 1st marriage Melanie Cope (Lori’s niece) .They have 4 kids together, current ages are3, 9, 7, 6. Married over 10 years in 2008 #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
The last Christmas was 2018. Things were different that year. He said you let your guard down when you’re comfortable with people. Melanie Gibb was there with her family. He had never met her. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
He said the body language was distant and the conversations too. At this time he and Melani were active in their ward. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Melani’s activity in church increased before that Christmas. When they got married she didn’t enjoy church. He pushed her to go and it was that way most of the marriage. In fall 2018 she was getting passionate about ideas and going more #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
She would come home with different ideas of how to serve the church. Lori would be there. Brandon talked to Melani and she said it was her thing and it was clear he wasn’t welcome. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
More Law&Crime coverage: What to know about the Lori Vallow trial
Update: 12:26 P.M. MST – An Objection During the Lunch Break
Lunch break. There’a an objection he will take up. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
The defense asks Kay where she got the copies of the texts and she says she emailed them to the state and they printed them out. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
The defense asks Kay where she got the copies of the texts and she says she emailed them to the state and they printed them out. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
The state says the rule doesn’t require the defense get a summary only if they give a statement or reports other than what’s been submitted. Rob wood says it’s unfounded #LoriVallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Overruled #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 12:11 P.M. MST – The Last Days of JJ’s Life
JJ and Charles spent the weekend before going back to Texas and she never saw JJ again in person. She had contact with JJ when Charles was alive. After Charle’s murder it was 3 times she had contact with him #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
It was a short call and he would look up and whoever was there was coaching him. The call was 30-45 seconds. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
The next call – JJ was in a bad mood. Didn’t want to talk. It upset Kay Lori waited until JJ was tired before she had him call. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
She tried to arrange for JJ to attend Charles’s memorial in Louisiana. She texted her and Lori agreed initially JJ could attend. Kay would fly to Phoenix to get JJ and would have him a week and would fly back with JJ to give to Lori #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Lori didn’t allow JJ to come to the memorial and she didn’t attend either.
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update 11:59 A.M. MST – Life Insurance and the JJ Factor
Charle approached her and said he wanted to take Lori off the life insurance policy. Lori didn’t want JJ anymore and Charles asked her to give half to his adult sons. Charles knew Kay would end up raising JJ #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Lori contacted Kay about the life insurance policy after Charles was murdered. Lori is actively writing and talking to John Thomas as Kay testifies. #LoriVallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Kay last saw JJ in person in Lake Charles, Louisiana on the weekend of May 17th. They gave him a birthday party since JJ’s birthday was May 25th #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 11:40 A.M. MST – The Death of Charles Vallow
Lori stayed in Houston but was going to Arizona or other places and traveling. She moved from Houston in June 2019. Charles got her a home in Chandler, AZ. Charles stayed in Houston. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
At that time Charles was intending to divorce Lori. He didn’t finalize it. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Kay said Charles is dead. He had a life insurance policy and he talked to Kay about it in Feb 2019 (Lori is writing notes constantly) #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 11:16 A.M. MST – The State’s First Witness
The first witness for the state is Kay Woodcock, grandmother to JJ Vallow #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
In 2019 Kay saw JJ in Arizona in February. She stayed 2 weeks. She came to help Charles pack since Lori split with him. She was gone and he was shocked so she went to help him. Objection – Defense says hearsay. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Objection is overruled. Wood asks if she or Charles knew where Lori was. This is when she left for weeks. Kay took JJ to Louisiana with her while Charles traveled for work. He was there 1-2 weeks. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 10:30 A.M. MST – The Defense Says There’s No Evidence of a Crime
What happened? How did these kids die? Who was involved? Where, when, why did it happen? The allegations have been read to you. He will read parts of it again #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
The charge of conspiracy – Chad, Lori and Alex (known and unknown co- conspirators) Chad and Alex aren’t on trial. Alex is dead. Your focus is on Lori – not these others. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Here’s the alibi filed – Lori was in her own apartment when JJ and Tylee died in the apartment of Alex Cox. Lori was with Melanie Gibb, David Warwick, and/or Chad Daybell. She was in Hawaii when Tammy died. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 10:13 A.M. MST – Now We Know How Tammy Daybell Died
Lindsey Blake will start with openings for the state. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Update: 9:44 A.M. MST – The State Says It’s All About Sex, Money, and Power
Lindsey Blake will start with openings for the state. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
Lindsey Blake will start with openings for the state. #lorivallow @LawCrimeNetwork
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) April 10, 2023
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