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PHOENIX (AP) — Lori Vallow Daybell, an Idaho woman with apocalyptic religious views, is facing a new trial in Arizona. This trial revolves around allegations that she conspired to murder her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, after previously being convicted in Idaho for the deaths of her two youngest children and for conspiring to kill a romantic rival.
The case has captured public interest, particularly due to Vallow Daybell’s extreme beliefs. Remarkably, she is representing herself in the upcoming six-week trial, which is set to commence with opening statements this Monday in Phoenix.
Prosecutors assert that Vallow Daybell and her brother collaborated in the plot to murder Charles Vallow, aiming to obtain financial benefits from his life insurance and to facilitate her marriage to Chad Daybell, an author known for writing about prophecies and apocalyptic themes.
Vallow Daybell has entered a plea of not guilty and has refrained from discussing the circumstances surrounding Charles’ demise. Key elements of the case include the events that transpired in Arizona leading to his death.
What Happened in Arizona
Charles Vallow was fatally shot in July 2019. Afterward, Lori Vallow Daybell relocated to Idaho with her children, Joshua “JJ” Vallow and Tylee Ryan. Just two weeks post his wife’s death, Chad Daybell married Vallow Daybell. JJ and Tylee remained missing for several months before their bodies were eventually uncovered buried in rural Idaho on Chad’s property. JJ was 7 at the time of his death, and Tylee was 16.
Currently, Vallow Daybell is serving three life sentences in Idaho for the murders of her children and for conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, Chad’s late wife, who was previously sentenced to death in those killings.
Charles Vallow had initiated divorce proceedings approximately four months before his death, voicing concerns that Vallow Daybell had become obsessed with esoteric beliefs and had threatened him on multiple occasions. He sought to have her evaluated for mental health concerns.
Incident Details
The police report indicates that Charles was shot by Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, during a confrontation at Lori’s home in Chandler, a suburb of Phoenix. Tylee claimed to have confronted Charles with a baseball bat after being disturbed by loud shouting in the house.
According to police, Tylee’s initial intent was to protect her mother, but the situation escalated when Charles seized the bat. Police records note that Cox stated he acted in self-defense, claiming that Charles posed a threat by not dropping the bat.
Cox maintained that both Vallow Daybell and the children left the home shortly prior to the shooting incident, during which he alleged he felt compelled to use lethal force. He was never arrested at that moment, but later died under circumstances related to a blood clot.
Background of Lori Vallow Daybell
Lori Vallow Daybell, a licensed cosmetologist and mother of three, has had a tumultuous personal history with five marriages. Her early life included a brief marriage to a high school sweetheart and several varied relationships before marrying Charles Vallow in 2006 and later adopting JJ.
The investigative journey into the fate of JJ and Tylee began at the close of 2019, prompted by reported concerns from JJ’s grandmother about their welfare, alongside other strange developments surrounding the family.
The peculiar circumstances surrounding the family’s activities and the investigation have fueled significant media interest internationally. Vallow Daybell’s life has inspired various portrayals in documentaries and dramatizations.
Current Legal Strategy
Throughout her self-representation, Vallow Daybell has voiced objections to media narratives about her cases, maintained her right to a prompt trial, and raised questions about the credibility of government witnesses. At a pre-trial hearing, she sought unsuccessfully to exclude several witnesses from the prosecution’s list, including a significant figure in her adopted son’s life.
The ongoing trial in Arizona could lead to a life sentence if she’s convicted of conspiring to kill her estranged husband, Charles Vallow. During proceedings, she will wear civilian attire, without handcuffs or shackles present in the courtroom, although she will be equipped with an electronic surveillance device.
Future Trials
Lori Vallow Daybell’s trial concerning the murder of Charles Vallow represents the first of two legal challenges in Arizona. She is set to face charges later this year related to an alleged conspiracy to murder Brandon Boudreaux, the former spouse of her niece, which is believed to have involved an attack outside of Boudreaux’s residence.
The investigation into these intertwined cases continues to draw interest as new revelations emerge, keeping the public and media keenly focused on the unfolding legal drama.
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