LIVE UPDATES | Niece and husband take the stand, secret recordings played on day 17 of Chad Daybell trial

LIVE UPDATES FROM THE CHAD DAYBELL TRIAL

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRIAL LIVE
Please excuse the typos. These are live updates from the courtroom.

3:18 p.m. Boyce suggests given the time, we break for the day. Join me tonight at 6:30 p.m. MDT for ‘Courtroom Insider.’

3:17 p.m. Blake asks Ian whom Melani was talking to about law enforcement being dark: Chad and Lori. Blake asks who was telling Melani that law enforcement was dark: Chad and Lori. Ian eventually learned where JJ and Tylee were found: Chad’s backyard. Blake is done, and Ian is released from his subpoena.

3:16 p.m. Chad and Lori never indicated where the kids were and never did anything to assist in finding the kids, Ian says.

3:15 p.m. Blake asks about the comment that Hermosillo was not going to stop. Ian says he wasn’t going to stop investigating the missing kids. Blake asks if Ian was concerned for the safety and whereabouts for JJ and Tylee. He was. The police shared these concerns. Ian says Chad never offered to tell police where JJ and Tylee were.

3:13 p.m. Ian believes Alex took the shots at Brandon. Blake asks Ian if he is aware that JJ and Tylee were last seen in September – before his wife relocated to Rexburg. Ian is aware of that. Melani was in Chandler before she moved. Ian remembers the phone calls where Lori and Chad discussed the Rexburg Police Department was dark.

3:12 p.m. Blake asks him to clarify that Chad and Lori aren’t on all his recordings. They are not – but they were on the recordings that were played today.

3:11 p.m. Prior has nothing further. Blake will now re-direct.

3:10 p.m. Prior asks about the “lengthy blessings” and if blessings are unusual in the LDS faith. Ian says they aren’t unusual.

3:08 p.m. Prior asks if Ian understands “this vibration stuff.” Ian explains his understanding is it’s associated with energy work and it’s not part of the mainstream religion.

3:06 p.m. Prior asks if Ian understood that Alex knew he was going to die. Ian doesn’t know. Prior asks Ian how Alex died. Ian says he suffered a pulmonary edema. Alex never spoke to Ian about the pulmonary edema. Ian says there was a point where Chad and Lori contacted Melani before Alex died and said there would be a “powerful spiritual attack.”

3:04 p.m. Ian says a lot of burner phones were being purchased and used, and code words were being used during communication on the phones. Prior asks about Chad and Lori being like a mom and dad to Melani. Ian says yes – but Melani also viewed them as religious leaders.

3:03 p.m. Prior asks about the 144,000 and if Chad was a leader or just part of the group. Ian understands that Chad took a leadership role in gathering the 144,000.

3:01 p.m. Prior asks Ian to explain the three kingdoms in LDS theology – the telestial, terrestrial and celestial. Ian explains the differences.

3 p.m. Prior asks Ian if, in his faith, castings result in people dying. Ian says he has pretty much separated himself from all religions.

2:59 p.m. Prior asks Ian if castings are new or unique to the LDS faith. Ian says no. Prior asks what a casting it. Ian says the idea is to remove evil from someone.

2:58 p.m. Prior asks if Lori and Chad were talking about “these Cain figures” being the police in Madison County. Ian says yes. Prior asks if he’s heard the term “fundamental Mormon.” Ian says yes. Prior asks him to define the term. Blake objects, Boyce grants the objection.

2:56 p.m. Prior asks if Chad ever told him that he intended to kill the kids. Ian responds, “That would be foolish.”

2:54 p.m. Prior asks if Hermosillo is one of the officers Ian and Melani interviewed with. Ian says yes. Prior asks about Melani saying Hermosillo was “raged.” Ian recalls the comment. Prior ask if, at any time, Lori mentioned this was about a custody dispute with Kay and Larry Woodcock, JJ’s grandparents. Ian says that was never discussed.

2:52 p.m. Prior asks if he is aware of when Melanie Gibb went to the police. He doesn’t know. Prior asks if there was ever an occasion where the police asked to look at Melani’s phone. Ian says the only location he can recall if when they were at the police station. Ian says the police were tracking her location.

2:51 p.m. Boyce tells the juror not to speculate about what happened with the sidebar and says it was nothing the state, defense or witness did. Prior continues questioning and asks Ian if he was aware two kids were missing on Nov. 23, 2019.

2:49 p.m. Prior asks Ian about Garrett Smith. Prior asks Ian if Smith was nodding when Ian answered. Ian says no. Jurors are now back in the courtroom.

2:47 p.m. Boyce says an issue has come up that needs to be taken up out of the presence of the jury. He says it should be quick and the jurors leave the courtroom. Boyce says there is a concern that Ian’s attorney has been in the courtroom. Boyce asks to have him removed. Garrett Smith is escorted out.

2:43 p.m. Prior asks Ian if his wife and Lori were as close as relatives could get. Ian says yes. Prior asks about Melani being in the ER on the recording. Ian says she was suffering a medical issue and needed to be in the ER. Boyce asks for a sidebar, and all the attorneys leave the courtroom.

2:42 p.m. Prior asks Ian if he is aware of some of the allegations about Alex shooting at Brandon Boudreaux. Ian says Alex was not acting as Melani’s protector that day. “If he had his best interest in mind, he was not acting as her protector.”

2:41 p.m. Ian only met Chad in person one time – on Nov. 23, 2019. In addition to the recordings, Ian spoke with Chad and Lori one other time. Ian doesn’t know where they were and they spoke for about 45 minutes. Prior ask if Melani and Alex spoke frequently. Ian says they spoke “pretty regularly” – every other day, every 2-3 days on the phone and through text messages.

2:39 p.m. Ian met Melani on Nov. 19 on an LDS dating website. They were married on Nov. 30. Prior asks about them getting married in 11 or 12 days. Prior asks if it’s unusual in the LDS faith to marry that quick. Ian says most couples don’t get married that quickly.

2:38 p.m. Jurors have been seated and Boyce is on the bench. Prior will now cross-examine Ian Pawlowski. Ian is in the courtroom with his attorney, Garrett Smith.

2:14 p.m. Blake has no further questions. Boyce suggests we take the afternoon recess. Be back in 20 minutes.

2:13 p.m. Ian did not consider Chad as a dad. In another part of the recording, Melani talks about leaving town. She didn’t feel it was safe to fly. Chad said he wasn’t getting an answer yet on what she should do. Chad directly Melani to wait for him on what she should do.

2:11 p.m. We hear a new part of the recording where Lori says Alex was the protector. Ian doesn’t know who designated Alex as the protector. Chad tells Ian if he “ever needs to talk to Dad,” he’s there.

2:10 p.m. Melani says they were using “pretty bird” if it was not safe to call or use phones. “Not happy Bob” means it was safe. Melani suggests new phrases – “Jamie Powell” if it was safe to call, “Daddy we’re down” if not safe to call. Ian says the core words were necessary to makes sure their communication was not being tracked by police.

2:08 p.m. Melani asks Chad and Lori if the phone number they are calling is their number. Lori says it is today but it could be different tomorrow. Ian says Chad and Lori went through “quite a few burner phones.” Melani didn’t always have access to their phone numbers.

2:07 p.m. Melani and Lori are talking about the apartment status. Lori says Melani can do whatever she wants with the items that are left in Alex’s apartment. Melani asks Chad and Lori if they want anything out of the apartment. They say they don’t. This was the day after Alex died.

2:05 p.m. Chad says Al’s passing is a “marker for us all to move forward and trust in the Lord.” Chad is encouraging Melani to avoid the police. Chad says they can hopefully get their items back from Rexburg police soon. Melani says if police try to talk to her, she will just “shut down” and not say anything. “Leave me the freak alone and give me my stuff back.”

2:03 p.m. In another portion of the recording, Lori says Tammy was visiting them saying how ridiculous the Rexburg police were. Tammy was dead at this point. Lori says Alex will take care of the police now. Melani asks who is tracking her phone. Chad says Rexburg police are. Melani is concerned that police have her hard drive.

2:01 p.m. Melani is talking with Lori about whether they are going to Arizona or not. Lori says she isn’t sure. Melani says she doesn’t want Brandon to know (about Alex’s death) and “I want him (Brandon) to be at fear of Al the rest of his life.”

2 p.m. Ian says it was common for Chad to offer a blessing any time they spoke. Ian was not used to this.

1:59 p.m. Blake asks about the reference to removing weapons and curses and cutting negative cords. Ian had never heard these things before meeting this group. Blake asks if there were other times when Chad and Lori were on calls. Ian says he made a total of nine recordings.

1:58 p.m. Chad now seals up the blessing in heaven and tells Melani she will feel angels that night. Melani thanks Chad.

1:57 p.m. Lori says the Lord is coming soon and Melani and Ian are part of the #1 team. “He will come and rule and reign in power and might.” Lori says there will be no more tears and Melani and Ian will be by the Lord’s side, “as will we.” Lori tells Ian and Melani not to doubt or fear.

1:55 p.m. Lori says Melani and her children will be in New Jerusalem and she will have the opportunity to help so many children.

1:54 p.m. Chad tells Ian he is a powerful man and he’s on the Lord’s team. Chad says, “I know you’re struggling with your ex-wife but the Lord is with you. In that room, there are dozens of angels.” Chad now turns the blessing over to Lilly (Lori). Lori says, “Melani and Ian are powerful warriors on our team.” Lori is crying.

1:52 p.m. Chad says Al was triumphant and exalted. Chad says this was Alex’s next step of his mission and Alex can now help Mel and her children. Melani is sobbing. Chad starts to cry. “I am with you. Fear not. You can now move forward and continue your mission.” Chad says Alex is at work and on the job.

1:50 p.m. We hear another part of the recording and Chad is giving another blessing. This one is for Melani. Chad says, “We love you, Al.” Chad tells Melani she has been courageous, valiant and a true friend. Chad says he is including Ian in the blessing as well and removing negative weapons and cords.

1:48 p.m. Lori tells Melani that “they were getting yes” – meaning they were getting an answer that Melani’s phone was indeed being tracked. Melani often turned to Chad and Lori for answers.

1:46 p.m. The first portion is Melani talking with Lori about Melanie Gibb and David Warwick. Another portion we hear Lori saying she talks to Him every night. Ian says Lori is referencing God. Another portion is Melani saying her phone is being tracked or listened to.

1:43 p.m. Blake brings up the recording Ian made on the day Alex Cox died. It’s a 56 minute recording. Blake will play portions from the recording.

1:41 p.m. In the recording, you hear Alex saying there’s nothing left to do in Rexburg. Chad responds, “Al, you know better.” Alex still had an apartment in Rexburg at the time but was not staying there.

1:40 p.m. Ian had heard of translation before but not in the way Chad and Lori talked about. Blake plays another part of the recording.

1:37 a.m. Blake plays another clip from the recording. Melani and Lori are talking about Melanie Gibb. Lori says Gibb has telestial – or earthly – fear. Lori said Gibb is not a telestial being anymore – she’s a terrestrial being. Lori talked about Gibb needing to “cut cords from Dave.”

1:36 p.m. Chad referenced the “telestial” police force in Rexburg. Blake asks Ian what Chad and Lori intended to cleanse the earth of. Ian doesn’t know specifically but says there were discussions of earthquakes, possessed people, casting out wickedness, etc.

1:34 p.m. Blake asks about the cords. Ian had not heard of that before. Blake asks about removing spiritual weapons. Ian says spiritual weapons could bind themselves to you and wound you. Ian had never heard of this before. Blake asks Ian what Chad’s role was in the 144,000. Ian says Chad and Lori designated themselves as leaders of the group.

1:33 p.m. Blake asks about the portals that were mentioned in the blessing. Ian says on reaching a certain ability or level of spiritual worthiness, you could open up a portal and step through it and land anywhere you saw fit. Ian had never heard of this before.

1:31 p.m. Chad says they will see each other again soon even though they are going to different corners of the world. Chad promises “all of us a home in the new Jerusalem as we work under the direction of the Savior.” Chad says they will have wonderful reunions and it will be a glorious place where vibrations radiate constantly.

1:29 p.m. Chad says the Savior is standing there with him and He is “very pleased.” Chad says Alex and Zulema are included in this blessing and the six of them have formed a tremendous friendship. “The six of us are on the right track. I assure you of that. I give you my testimony that this is a power team. We are the genesis of the 144,000. We don’t say that boastfully, it just is.”

1:28 p.m. Chad blesses Melani and Ian to have cords of light wrapped around their hearts so they can feel connection and unity. Chad says they are a special couple who have known each other in the past and have helped each other. “Your union will looked upon as a true love story of happiness and how to treat one another.”

1:26 p.m. Chad blesses Melani that she will heal from her illness and phobias, other darknesses that have been implanted in her. Chad says this is being done for Ian as well – clearing him of weapons and lifting curses that may have placed upon them.

1:25 p.m. We now hear Chad giving the blessing to Ian and Melani. He says they are a powerful couple with unlimited potential and they will be utilized by the Lord. They will team with Mother Earth to cleanse the earth with earthquakes, moving mountains, changing rivers and healing hearts of mankind.

1:23 p.m. Ian says the Zoom blessings were out of the ordinary with LDS teachings. We now hear Chad giving a blessing to Ian and Melani on the recording. He says angels and ministers were part of the blessing he and Lori had given Zumela and Alex the day before.

1:21 p.m. Blake plays another part of the recording. Melani refers to “dad” – meaning Chad. Melani says she went and withdrew $50,000. Melani asks Chad and Lori for a “combined blessing” for her and Ian. Lori says, “We don’t know what Ian knows.” Melani says, “Ian knows everything.” Blake asks what Melani was referring to. Ian says it was their religious beliefs and their goal in the world. Ian learned about light and dark, castings, people being zombies and Melani shared all these things with him.

1:20 p.m. Blake asks about the rentals Chad was encouraging Melani and Ian to look into. Chad was not only encouraging them to move but recommending places. Ian says Melani would “absolutely” turn to Chad and Lori for advice.

1:18 p.m. Blake asks Ian about Chad referencing Cain and his disciples being in Rexburg. Ian says Chad was referring to members of the police department.

1:16 p.m. Chad and Lori never told Melani to cooperate with police, Ian says. Ask this recording is being played, Chad had little reaction as he sits next to John Prior.

1:15 p.m. Ian says Chad and Lori were aware the police were trying to talk with Melani. Ian says Chad and Lori never came forward with information on the whereabouts of the children.

1:12 p.m. On the recording, Chad tells Melani she has to flee out of darkness and get on Zillow to investigate houses. Melani says, “He’s not going to stop until he gets what he wants” – referring to Det. Hermosillo.

1:09 p.m. Blake asks about the recording in which Chad and Lori told Melani she needed to move. There was talk of Melani feeling like she had to “flee.” Blake will replay the audio clip to refresh Ian’s memory.

1:05 p.m. We are back in the courtroom and Ian Pawlowski will return to the stand this afternoon. Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake will continue questioning him. Jurors have taken their seats.

11:59 a.m. Chad repeatedly stresses that Melani needs to get out of Rexburg. Blake says this would be a good stopping point for lunch. Be back in one hour.

11:58 a.m. Lori tells Melani she needs to get out of Rexburg so the police aren’t targeting her. Chad suggests going to Idaho Falls and they can find a house for the same price. Melani says, “We’ll go wherever. I’ll live in a dumpster with Ian. He’s so amazing.” Chad says Idaho Falls has good prices for rentals.

11:56 a.m. Melani asks about Rexburg being a place of safety. Chad says yes but there will be dark times and people starving by McDonald’s. Lori says they were all told to go to Rexburg but because of the “agency of the dark,” Satan has infiltrated people including the police who are very dark.

11:54 a.m. Chad suggests they need to permanently move from Rexburg – not just get an Airbnb in Idaho Falls. Melani asks how to get Hermosillo to stop. “He’s just raged with this whole thing. He was yelling at me and said he wasn’t going to stop.” Chad says Hermosillo isn’t going anywhere and Melani needs to leave. “The wicked stay in one place and the righteous leave.” Chad tells Melani she needs to leave like Lehi had to leave Jerusalem. Chad tells Melani to get on Zillow and look for housing.

11:52 a.m. Another portion of the recording is played. Chad says “they’re not going to leave you alone. The network is pretty deep and they’re going to see you as the target.” Chad says for Melani’s sake and sanity she should leave. Chad says Melani was led to Rexburg to find Ian but now it’s time for her to move away. Melani says Ian’s kids are there. Chad says Madison County is a cursed place.

11:51 a.m. Blake plays another part of the recording. Melani is talking with Chad and Lori. Chad said he was worried law enforcement were still watching Melani. Ian had already spoken with police and knew they were looking for JJ and Tylee.

11:49 a.m. Blake asks Ian what Gibb lied about. Ian says she lied about having JJ in her possession. On the recording, there was a reference to Dave being the problem. Dave is David Warwick, Gibb’s boyfriend at the time.

11:47 a.m. Blake plays another part of the recording. Melani says she hasn’t trusted Gibb and Lori says she can no longer be trusted because she called the police. “I don’t see it going anywhere bad for any of us,” Lori says on the call.

11:45 a.m. Another portion of the recording is played. Melani talks about Lt. Ball bringing her banana bread and she was worried he might be poisoning her. Lori says he’s probably good but Hope and Hermosillo are the bad ones.

11:43 a.m. Blake plays another portion of the call. We hear Melani talking about emotional attacks. Ian says there were not physical attacks but spiritual attacks from Satan. Ian had not heard of these types of attacks before he met Melani.

11:38 a.m. During the first portion, Ian says we hear Alex and Zulema talking about Dave “not buying anything.” Ian says Gibb and David were going to step away because things were getting hot. A female says Raphael – referencing Chad. Lori and Chad then join the call and Melani is sobbing. Ian says Melani was relieved to hear their voice. Chad and Lori would call in and then disappear for days or a week at a time. Ian did not know where Chad and Lori were during this time.

11:37 a.m. Blake says there are 87 minutes of recordings but we will only hear portions today.

11:36 a.m. These recordings have never been played publicly before today.

11:34 a.m. Blake moves to admit the secret recordings Ian made while on his honeymoon with Melani in Jackson Hole.

11:33 a.m. Ian had an apartment across the street from Melani’s in Rexburg in December 2019. When they got married, he moved into Melani’s apartment. Chad told Ian that he and Melani should leave as soon as possible to get away from law enforcement.

11:31 a.m. Ian went to law enforcement on Dec. 4 or 5, 2019. They asked if he would record conversations for them. He said he would. Chad and Lori told Ian that specific detectives were possessed. Ian recorded the conversations on Dec. 6-7-8. There was later a call with Lori and Chad where Ian learned Alex had died.

11:30 a.m. Melani shared things the night of their marriage that caused him concerns. The next morning, Ian’s daughter thought it would be funny to play hide-and-seek. His daughter would not answer him for five minutes and it was quiet. He eventually found her. He was concerned for JJ and Tylee and also concerned for his two children and his ex-wife.

11:28 a.m. Ian never met JJ or Tylee. During the Zoom call, Ian was at his sister’s home in Arizona. He did not know where Chad and Lori were. Ian told Melani the blessing was odd. Melani shared some of her religious beliefs with him prior to their marriage but the bulk of it was the night they got married. Ian was originally open to some of the idea but on their wedding night, things changed.

11:26 a.m. Ian met with Chad and Lori on Zoom to ask for their blessing in marrying Melani. Melani looked to them as parents. Ian asked for their blessing and they approved of her marrying Melani. Chad and Lori also gave Ian a religious blessing. “They talked about shielding me with light, removing dark weapons from me,” Ian says. The blessing was on Zoom and not in-person. He says it was very unorthodox.

11:25 a.m. Blake is questioning Ian. She asks how Ian knows Lori, Alex and Chad. Ian met Lori and Chad on Nov. 23 or 24, 2019. They met in person in Lori’s Rexburg apartment. Ian met Alex Cox the night Ian and Melani got married – Nov. 30, 2019.

11:23 a.m. I interviewed Ian and Melani in 2020 before the children were found. You can find part of the interview here.

11:22 a.m. Next witness is Ian Pawlowski – Melani’s husband.

11:20 a.m. Sidebar is over. Blake asks about the light and dark. Melani asked Lori to get the answers from Chad. Blake asks if she learned if Charles was designated as dark. He was. Blake asks if JJ and Tylee were designated as dark. They were. None of them are still alive. Blake has no further questions.

11:18 a.m. Prior asks for a sidebar. White noise is played in the courtroom.

11:17 a.m. Blake asks if Melani has ever heard teachings about zombies in the LDS faith. Melani says no. Blake asks if Lori and Chad lived together in Arizona. Melani says they had separate apartments.

11:16 a.m. Melani says Chad and Lori would use the scriptures as a basis and then elaborate their as far as light and dark, etc.

11:15 a.m. Prior has nothing further. Blake will now conduct re-direct. She asks if Chad and Lori taught her these things. “I believe the ideas were from both of them.”

11:14 a.m. Prior asks if there was anything unusual with the relationship of Alex and Lori. Melani says not that she observed. Prior asks if Alex lived with Lori in Arizona. Melani says for a time. Melani doesn’t know if Alex wanted to go to Hawaii when Lori moved. Alex did move with Lori to Rexburg.

11:12 a.m. Prior asks about zombies and if all the information she learned about zombies came from Lori. Melani says she assumes it came from Chad. She can’t remember if Chad used the term zombie in front of her.

11:11 a.m. Melani says Gibb told her that she went to camps to teach people about energy work.

11:10 a.m. Prior asks Melani if she participated in energy work with Gibb or Lori. Melani says she listened to the ideas.

11:08 a.m. Prior asks Melani what energy work means. Melani says she isn’t too familiar on it but people who do energy work do something similar to a reading – certain connections to ancestors. He asks about vibrations. Melani says in energy work, you can be on a higher or lower vibration or frequency.

11:07 a.m. Prior asks Melani about Julie Rowe. Melani says she has never met Rowe but believes she had podcasts that spoke about spiritual beliefs. Melani never participated in Gibb’s podcasts. Prior asks about castings and if it was part of her LDS faith. Melani says it talks about castings in the scriptures but she wasn’t familiar with it.

11:06 a.m. Prior asks about light and dark being in the LDS faith. “It does talk about light and dark in the scriptures,” Melani says. Prior asks Melani if she ever spoke directly to Chad about Tylee and JJ. Melani doesn’t know if she did.

11:04 a.m. Prior asks if the vast majority of information Melani received about Chad came from Lori. Melani says that’s correct. Prior asks about Lori moving to Idaho and if Melani was aware Lori had talked about moving in with Melanie Gibb. Melani is not aware of that information.

11:03 a.m. Melani says some of the ideas at the conference were LDS based. Prior asks if the conferences were inconsistent with the LDS Church. Melani says not that she saw. Prior asks about Seven Gatherers. Melani says it doesn’t ring a bell and she was never part of a group called the Seven Gatherers.

11:02 a.m. Prior asks Melani to explain Preparing a People. She says she didn’t know much about it but Chad was speaking and there was mostly LDS-based ideas about the Second Coming – how to prepare for the end of times.

11 a.m. Melani was living in Gilbert, Arizona in 2018. She lived about 10-12 minutes from Lori. Prior asks Melani about Melanie Gibb. They met toward the end of 2018. Melani attended a Preparing a People event in 2018 where Chad spoke.

10:59 a.m. Prior asks about Lori going to Hawaii in Nov. 2019. Melani says Lori went for 7-10 days. Prior asks if Melani recalls Lori leaving for a longer period of time during 2019-2020 to Hawaii. Melani isn’t sure how long Lori went.

10:58 a.m. Blake has no further questions. Prior will now cross-examine.

10:57 a.m. When police were looking for the children, Melani says Alex seemed calm and normal. Melani says Chad reached out to her and said Brandon Boudreaux (her ex-husband) was following her and put a tracking device on her car. That turned out to be true and Melani says it validated a lot of what Chad was saying.

10:55 a.m. Melani says Lori and Alex had a playful, fun sibling relationship and would help each other out. Alex would help Lori if she needed his help. Alex admired Chad and looked up to him like a brother, Melani says. “I believe Alex had enough trust in Chad that he would listen to him,” Melani says.

10:53 a.m. Melani says Chad and Lori told her Rexburg Det. Ray Hermosillo and Rexburg Det. Dave Hope were dark. Melani moved to Rexburg the first week of Nov. 2019. She was also living there in Dec. 2019. After the kids were declared missing, Chad told Melani that Madison County was not safe and that she needed to move away.

10:52 a.m. Blake asks where the idea of the body having to die if it became too dark came from. Melani says she believes it came from Chad. Chad and Lori told Melani that law enforcement was corrupt and after them. They said police could not be trusted and told Melani not to speak with law enforcement.

10:51 a.m. Melani says she was taught there was some type of darkness that could not be cast out and the Lord would take the person because the darkness was too much.

10:50 a.m. Blake asks about The Church of the Firstborn. Melani says Chad was meant to be a leader in the church and Chad and Lori were supposed to help with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Melani would ask Chad if someone was dark or light. She eventually learned a different term for people who were possessed: zombie. Lori introduced the term to her.

10:48 a.m. Melani says Lori gave her messages from Chad. Blake asks if something happened in Idaho while Melani was in Hawaii. Melani says yes – Tammy Daybell passed away. Melani says Lori seemed to be in a state of shock. Lori went back to Idaho. Melani stayed in Hawaii. Alex was supposed to go with them on the trip to Hawaii but Chad had something he needed help with.

10:46 a.m. Melani says Lori was never on the phone with JJ or Tylee. When they went to Hawaii, JJ and Tylee were not there. Melani heard Lori on the phone but Lori used headphones so Melani never knew who Lori was talking to. Melani says she thought she knew the nature of Chad and Lori’s relationship but now she has different ideas.

10:45 a.m. When Melani asked about JJ, Lori said she had hired a nanny who was taking care of JJ. Melani doesn’t remember seeing Chad during her visit. In October, Melani went with Lori to Hawaii. Before the Hawaii trip, they went to Missouri. Tylee and JJ were not with them. Melani asked Lori where they were. Lori said the nanny was helping with JJ and Tylee didn’t need a babysitter – she was being independent. Melani says Tylee could have also been helping with JJ.

10:43 a.m. Melani visited Lori in Rexburg at the end of September 2019 and stayed at her aunt’s apartment. JJ and Tylee were not there. Melani Gibb and David Warwick were not there. Melani asked Lori where Tylee was. Melani says she got a few different answers but one she recalls was Tylee was with a friend doing her own thing at college.

10:42 a.m. Blake asks Melani if she ever asked Lori why she was moving to Rexburg. Melani says Lori was telling everyone different things and needed to be protected. Lori said she was going into hiding. Lori took Tylee and JJ to Rexburg. Alex helped them move and also moved himself.

10:41 a.m. Blake asks Melani if she ever spoke to Alex about Charles’ death. She said Alex told her Charles became angry, they got into a fight, a baseball bat was involved and then Alex ended up shooting Charles.

10:39 a.m. Melani learned about the death of Charles from Adam Cox, her uncle. Adam says Charles had been murdered. Melani remembers going to see Lori. Lori and Tylee explained Alex got into a fight with Charles and Alex shot Charles.

10:38 a.m. Blake asks Melani if she knows Tylee. Melani says yes – Tylee is her cousin. The last time she saw Tylee is when Tylee was packing her items preparing to move from Arizona to Idaho. JJ was also Melani’s cousin.

10:38 a.m. Blake asks Melani if she knows where the idea of castings originated. “From what I remember, their teachings and ideas were constantly changing but I believe the original idea came from the Julie Rowe podcast where she would teach how to cast out,” Melani says. Melani says Chad and Lori then added their own ideas to it.

10:36 a.m. Melani learned at some point that JJ was affected by some type of darkness. She also learned that Chad labeled Tylee as dark. Melani assumes Chad labeled JJ as dark.

10:35 a.m. Melani recalls being invited by Lori to do a casting on Charles Vallow. Melani says Lori and Chad believed Charles was affected by a dark spirit. Charles was not physically present and nothing physically was being done to Charles.

10:33 a.m. From what Melani was told, Chad didn’t always need his pendulum but it was something extra he could use. Melani recalls learning about casting – you raise your right hand and cast out a dark spirit or demon. Chad and Lori explained how to cast spirits out.

10:32 a.m. Melani says the idea about light and dark came from Chad. Melani says Chad said he had a gift to spiritually discern and he could see light and dark and if a person had good intentions. Melani recalls Chad used a necklace/pendant/pendulum that he would use to get answers. Melani makes a swinging motion with her hand.

10:30 a.m. Melani says she was close with Lori. She met Chad in 2018. Melani would send messages to Chad through Lori asking for guidance and advice. Melani says she developed a close relationship with Chad and began referring to him as dad. Melani recalls Chad and Lori sharing with her teachings about light and dark.

10:28 a.m. Melani has dark hair and white-rimmed glasses. She walks into the courtroom with her two attorneys – Garrett Smith and Joshua Garner.

10:27 a.m. Next witness is Melani Pawlowski – Lori Vallow’s niece. Lindsey Blake is questioning her.

10:23 a.m. Blake asks Boyce if they can approach before calling the next witness. Attorneys huddle in corner as white noise is played in the courtroom.

10:21 a.m. We are back in the courtroom. Boyce is on the bench and jurors are being brought in.

9:53 a.m. Boyce suggests we take a mid-morning recess. Back in 20-30 minutes.

9:51 a.m. Wood asks about himself being at the planning meeting and asks Daniels if he recalls the two Fremont prosecutors being at the meeting. Daniels doesn’t remember as he didn’t really know people. Daniels says dog and cat remains were also found at the property. Wood has no further questions. Daniels will remain under subpoena.

9:50 a.m. Daniels talks about the cell phone ping that got officers to the general quadrant of the property but depressions in the ground and other factors helped lead them to the actual burial sites.

9:49 a.m. Wood follows up by asking about the tools that were collected. Daniels says they were packaged and given to the Rexburg Police Department.

9:48 a.m. Prior has no further questions. Wood will now have questions on re-direct.

9:47 a.m. Prior asks about a sign on the property. Daniels describes two wooden posts and a dog statue. Prior asks if that’s how they knew this was the area of the pet cemetery. Daniels says the dog statue and several depressions in the ground made him think this was the pet cemetery.

9:44 a.m. Prior asks a question, doesn’t like the answer and objects to the answer. Boyce then tells Prior to stop interrupting him as Prior interrupts the judge. Boyce tells Prior to stop interrupting people and to ask another question.

9:43 a.m. Prior asks if citizens or anyone else would have had access to Chad’s property on June 9-10. Daniels say no.

9:41 a.m. Prior asks about the shovels being moved and the photos being taken. Daniels say the tools were moved and photos were taken but he doesn’t know the exact timeframe. Prior asks if any law enforcement officers used Chad’s tools when they were digging on the property. Daniels says no, they did not.

9:40 a.m. Prior shows another photo of the shovels leaned up against a wall in the garage. He zooms in on the handle of the shovel and asks if he notices anything. Daniels say he’s still not seeing anything.

9:38 a.m. Prior shows another close-up photo of the shovel’s black handle. Prior asks if Daniels can see differences. “I don’t think I’m seeing what you want me to see,” Daniels says. “I see a black shovel handle.” Prior says, “Fair enough.”

9:36 a.m. Prior asks about the black handle on a shovel. He zooms in and asks Daniels what he sees on the handle. Daniels says it’s hard to tell what it is. “It’s something, right?” Prior asks. Daniels says he can’t tell what it is.

9:35 a.m. Prior shows the wide shot photo of the tools laid out on the ground of the garage. These are the tools that were seized. Prior asks Daniels if he laid out the tools. Daniels says no, someone else on scene did.

9:32 a.m. Prior zooms in a large black-handled took. He asks Daniels if there is anything that indicates there could be an issue with the tool. Daniels says he would need to look at the entire tool. “There’s more than just looking at a little speck on the handle.”

9:30 a.m. Prior shows a photo of the tools in Chad’s garage. He asks Daniels if all of the tools were confiscated. He says not all of them. Daniels walked by all of the tools and says the photo is an “as-is” picture of what things looked like that day.

9:27 a.m. Prior asks what plans were put in place to secure the property on the evening of June 9. Police stopped working around 5 p.m. Daniels says local law enforcement secured the scene that evening.

9:25 a.m. Prior asks about the backhoe. Daniels says the backhoe was utilized to excavate the area about Tylee’s remains. Prior asks if all of the remains of Tylee were removed from the gravesite. Daniels says yes. Prior asks if all of the remains of JJ were removed. Daniels says yes.

9:24 a.m. Prior asks about the theory of the prosecutors being the bodies were placed in the ground in Sept. 2019. Daniels says he doesn’t know what the theory is. Prior asks about the “necklace around Tylee’s neck.” Daniels says a charm was found at the site. It was observable by eye on the top of the ground.

9:23 a.m. Prior asks about the tree and irrigation pond near JJ’s burial site. He asks if the grass in the area looked like it had been moved. Daniels says not recently.

9:21 a.m. Prior asks Daniels if he recalls the door to the garage being open when police arrived. He doesn’t remember. Prior asks the distance from the back of the house to the place where JJ was found. Daniels doesn’t know the distance.

9:19 a.m. Prior asks Daniels if the large response would have drawn people to the scene to see what was going on. Daniels says maybe. Prior asks if Daniels looked around to see if people were watching what they were doing. Daniels says no, he was busy.

9:17 a.m. Daniels recalls there were just over 50 law enforcement officers on the scene over the two days. Prior asks if he’s aware Wood was there. Daniels recalls seeing him but didn’t know who Wood was at time.

9:16 a.m. Prior asks Daniels who was running the meeting. Daniels doesn’t remember. Prior asks who initiated the meeting. Daniels doesn’t know but guesses one of the case agents put it together.

9:14 a.m. Prior asks Daniels how many agencies were at the planning meeting before officers searched the property. Daniels doesn’t recall them all but says his team, other FBI employees, the Rexburg Police Department, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and Rob Wood were all there.

9:13 a.m. Prior asks Daniels about his team staging at the Salem church and how many people were there. Daniels says eight on his team were there but he does not know a total amount of all law enforcement officers.

9:11 a.m. Prior asks about the structure attached to Chad Daybell’s garage. Prior asks Daniels if he has knowledge about what the second story is used for. He says on June 8, there was a mattress and comforter on the floor as if someone had been sleeping in the room. Prior asks Daniels if he knew who was residing in the residence in Sept. 2019 and June 2020. Daniels says he is not aware.

9:10 a.m. Prior asks if it’s unusual that Daniels can’t remember and needs to review his notes on the topic. Daniels says no – he didn’t know he was going to be asked about the apartment searches and has done a lot of searches.

9:09 a.m. Prior asks about Luminol being used on the scene. Daniels says that’s a tool used to determine if blood was involved. Prior asks if it was used in an upstairs apartment. Daniels says he doesn’t recall – he would need to review his notes.

9:07 a.m. Prior says he wants to go over the procedural aspects of Daniels’ involvement in the case. He begins by asking about the search of Alex Cox’s apartment. Daniels was an ERT Senior Team Leader in the search of two apartments in Rexburg – he doesn’t recall who was in which apartment. Prior asks about cadaver dogs being used in the search.

9:04 a.m. Wood has no further questions for Daniels. Prior will now cross-examine.

9:02 a.m. After the area was excavated, a backhoe was brought in to go deeper and wider just in case Tylee was buried in the same area. “It was logical to use that they might have put her in the same place,” Daniel says. Nothing else was found near JJ’s remains.

9 a.m. Daniels describes the next photo as showing more duct tape wrapped around the body. JJ’s remains were found first at the property and the first remains that were fully excavated and provided to the coroner on June 9, 2020.

8:58 a.m. The team continued to excavate and Daniels describes uncovering the feet area of the human remains. The black plastic wrapped the entire body. A big piece of duct tape started to appear on the wrapping as crews worked to uncover the remains.

8:57 a.m. Daniels describes the next photo as showing human hair coming out of the plastic. “That’s the point we knew these were human remains and those remains were JJ Vallow’s. This became JJ’s burial site.”

8:55 a.m. Daniels describes finding something wrapped in plastic. “It felt like it was a human head or skull inside that black plastic. You could tell that plastic was tied up with whatever was inside.” Daniels cut the black plastic and found white plastic wrapped around the skull.

8:54 a.m. The next photo shows two wooden planks that were under the stones. Boyce says because of the nature of the next pictures, they will not be shown to the public in the courtroom or on the livestream. Jurors will view the images on their monitors.

8:53 a.m. Daniels points out the stones were laid precisely in a row and you can see the tree roots around the rocks. Someone has taken the time to cut through the tree roots for the burial. Larry Woodcock is wiping tears from his eyes as Daniels testifies.

8:52 a.m. Prior objects and asks for a sidebar. Boyce grants the objection and attorneys huddle in the corner of the courtroom.

8:49 a.m. Daniels explains how the officers on scene removed the soil and vegetation layer by layer. Wood displays photos of the how the area looked after these layers are removed. We see a picture of the large stones that were lined up over wood that were on top of JJ’s wrapped body.

8:46 a.m. The next photos show a closer look at the burial site. There is higher grass around the spot and a thinning of vegetation in the area where JJ’s body was found along with a raised berm.

8:43 a.m. Wood begins by showing an overhead satellite photo of the tree and pond area where JJ Vallow’s body was found on Chad’s property.

8:41 a.m. Boyce is on the bench and the jurors have been seated. Lots of people in the gallery today. The spectators on the right side of the courtroom have been moved to the other side. It’s likely graphic photos will be shown.

8:32 a.m. The attorneys just left the courtroom and are meeting with Judge Steven Boyce.

8:30 a.m. Larry Woodcock is in the courtroom this morning. I asked if Kay was coming and he said, “Today is going to be a hard day. I told her it’s best if she stayed home.”

8:23 a.m. We are back in the courtroom for day 17 of Chad Daybell’s trial. Chad is dressed in a light colored dress shirt with a dark tie. He’s chatting with John Prior, his defense attorney. Madison Co. Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood will continue questioning FBI Special Agent Steve Daniels – a member of Evidence Response Team (ERT).