Judge removes himself from case as two of Lori Vallow Daybell’s attorneys plan to do the same
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REXBURG — Lori Vallow Daybell’s court case will see a new magistrate judge and a change in her legal team after a hearing held by phone Friday afternoon.
Earlier this week, defense attorney Mark Means filed paperwork asking that Judge Farren Eddins no longer preside over the case. A reason was not listed. Eddins approved the motion and removed himself from the case. Now court administration will assign a new judge.
The move came after Eddins approved the preliminary hearing to be held May 7 and 8 (instead of the previously scheduled March 18 and 19) at the Madison County Courthouse. In court documents also filed earlier this week, Means and Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood requested the proceedings be moved back.
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During the preliminary hearing, Wood will need to prove there is enough evidence on the felony charges for the case to proceed from magistrate court to district court.
On the phone at Friday’s hearing were Means and defense attorney Brian Webb. During the call, Webb said he and Edwina Elcox planned to withdraw as Daybell’s attorneys, leaving Means as sole legal representation.
For more details on the legal proceedings, listen to the call in the video player above.
Daybell remains in the Madison County Jail on a $1 million bond and was not present at the hearing. She is charged with two counts of felony child abandonment, misdemeanor resisting and obstructing an officer, solicitation of a crime, and contempt of court.
RELATED | WATCH: Judge reduces Lori Vallow Daybell’s bail amount to $1 million
The charges are related to the disappearance of Daybell’s children, 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, who have not been seen since September.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the children is asked to contact the Rexburg Police Department at (208) 359-3000, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) at (800) THE-LOST.
CORRECTION: The initial report listed Brian Webb as the only attorney planning to withdraw. A review of the court proceeding showed both he and Edwina Elcox who work for the same firm plan to leave the case together. EastIdahoNews.com apologizes for this error.
