Answers to frequently asked questions about Lori Vallow Daybell’s Arizona trial
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It’s a complex case involving multiple states, several law enforcement agencies, “voluminous” amounts of evidence and thousands of investigative hours.
Now, nearly two years after being sentenced to life in prison in Idaho, jury selection in Lori Vallow Daybell’s Arizona trial is scheduled to begin on March 31.
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to get you up to speed on the case that has made headlines around the world.
Who is on trial and why?
Lori Vallow Daybell is on trial charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Prosecutors say she conspired to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and conspired to kill her former nephew-in-law, Brandon Boudreaux.
Separate trials will be held on each charge with the first for Charles Vallow’s murder. The trial for Brandon Boudreaux’s case is scheduled to begin in June.
When and where did these alleged crimes occur?
Charles Vallow was shot and killed on July 11, 2019, while picking up his son, Joshua “JJ” Vallow, at Lori’s home in Chander, Arizona. Alex Cox, Lori’s brother, told police he shot Charles in self-defense after an altercation. Lori was at the home when the shooting occurred.
In the second case, Lori and Alex are accused of trying to kill Brandon outside his home in Gilbert, Arizona, in October 2019. He survived the drive-by shooting.
Why are the trials happening nearly six years after the crimes occurred?
Arizona authorities waited until court proceedings in Idaho were over before proceeding with hearings in Maricopa County.
Lori and her husband, Chad Daybell, had separate trials in Idaho. Both were found guilty of killing Lori’s children — 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old “JJ” Vallow — and Chad’s former wife, Tammy Daybell. Alex Cox was also involved, but he was never criminally charged as he died in Dec. 2019.
Lori and Chad were found guilty of the following charges:
- First-degree murder for the death of JJ Vallow
- First-degree murder for the death of Tylee Ryan
- First-degree murder for the death of Tammy Daybell (Chad’s case only)
- Conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception for the death of JJ Vallow
- Conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception for the death of Tylee Ryan
- Conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Tammy Daybell
- Insurance fraud (Chad’s case only)
- Grand theft (Lori’s case only)
You can read the indictment here.
Where can I watch the trial and when does it start?
Jury selection is scheduled to begin March 31. The trial will be held in Maricopa County, Arizona and EastIdahoNews.com will provide a video feed from the courtroom. The trial is scheduled to begin each day at 10:30 a.m. Arizona time (11:30 a.m. MT). Judge Justin Beresky has instituted a 30 minute delay on the video so we will begin streaming it on the EastIdahoNews.com YouTube channel 30 minutes after court begins.
How long is the trial expected to last?
Prosecutors say they expect the trial to last 5-6 weeks. Opening statements are scheduled for April 7.
How many people are on the jury and when will they be chosen?
Twelve jurors and four alternates will be selected for the trial. Electronic questionaries were sent out to potential jurors in Maricopa County. They will be screened by the prosecution and defense. In-person voir dire will be held April 1 with the goal of having a jury selected by the end of the week.
Who is Lori Daybell’s attorney?
Lori Daybell is representing herself. She has two advisory attorneys – Pamela Hicks and Robert Abernerthy.
Who is the prosecutor?
Treena Kay, a Deputy Maricopa County Attorney, is the lead prosecutor on the case.
Who is the judge in the case?
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Justin Beresky is presiding over the trial. He worked as an attorney after graduating from the University of Idaho College of Law and has been a superior court judge since 2017.
Why isn’t Chad Daybell on trial?
Chad Daybell is not facing charges in Arizona. In a 2022 statement, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said, “After a lengthy and careful review of the charge of conspiracy to commit murder on Chad Daybell, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has decided to turn down the case citing no reasonable likelihood of conviction.”
If found guilty, what type of sentence is Lori Daybell facing?
Lori could face 25 years to life in prison if she is found guilty. Regardless of her sentence, she will be returned to Idaho where she will serve life in prison without parole.
Who decides Lori Daybell’s sentence and how does the process work?
If a jury returns a guilty verdict, Beresky will likely order a pre-sentence investigation before handing down a sentence. That can take several weeks or months. Lori’s attorneys and prosecutors will recommend sentences and victims will be permitted to submit impact statements or speak during the sentencing hearing before Beresky issues his decision.
Can I still watch or listen to Lori and Chad’s Idaho trials?
Cameras were not allowed in Lori’s Idaho trial, but we have an audio library you can listen to here. Video from Chad Daybell’s trial is available here.
How can I get updates on the trial?
EastIdahoNews.com will provide live written updates from the courtroom every day the trial is in session. Nate Eaton will be posting on his X account. Video from the courtroom will be streamed on the EastIdahoNews.com YouTube channel. That’s the same place you can watch “Courtroom Insider with Nate Eaton” live from Arizona weeknights at 8 p.m. MT. You can also sign up here for the Daybell Digest – a free nightly newsletter recapping the events from the courtroom each day. A Daybell section on the free EastIdahoNews.com app also has all the information.
Where can I read old stories and watch old videos about the case?
You can find all of our old stories, videos, a timeline, “who’s who” and everything else you need to know about the case here.
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