The Idaho Supreme Court is set to hear arguments Monday in the Lori Vallow Daybell appeal, as the convicted mother seeks to overturn her guilty verdicts for the murders of her two youngest children and the conspiracy to kill a romantic rival. The hearing in Boise marks a significant legal turning point for Lori Vallow Daybell, who is currently serving multiple life sentences for the crimes that drew international attention.
Following a high-profile trial, Vallow Daybell was convicted of killing 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as conspiring to murder Tammy Daybell. The children’s remains were discovered in 2020, buried on the rural Idaho property of her husband, Chad Daybell, an author known for his religious novels focusing on end-times prophecies.
Core Arguments in the Idaho Appeal
Legal representatives for Vallow Daybell are presenting several key arguments to the state’s highest court in an effort to have the convictions reversed. A primary focus of the appeal is the claim that the lower court denied her the right to a speedy trial.
Additionally, her defense argues that she was unfairly prevented from retaining her preferred legal counsel. The trial judge previously ruled that her chosen attorney could not represent her due to a "conflict of interest" stemming from the lawyer’s prior representation of both her and her husband, Chad Daybell.
Other points of contention include:
* The admission of evidence regarding shootings that took place in Arizona.
* The decision to allow jurors to hear details about the death of her estranged husband, Charles Vallow.
* Testimony regarding the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux.
The Timeline of the Disappearances and Deaths
The case began to unfold in late 2019 when JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan were reported missing. Investigations eventually led authorities to the home of Chad Daybell, whom Lori married just weeks after the death of his previous wife, Tammy Daybell.
Prosecutors argued during the trial that Vallow Daybell was motivated by extremist doomsday religious beliefs. According to court records, she claimed that certain individuals in her life had been overtaken by "evil spirits." This ideology was central to the state's theory that she and her husband conspired to remove those they perceived as obstacles to their spiritual and financial goals.
While Vallow Daybell received three life sentences for the Idaho crimes, Chad Daybell was sentenced to death for his role in the three killings.
Connection to Arizona Criminal Cases
Beyond the Idaho convictions, Vallow Daybell faces separate legal consequences in Arizona. She was convicted of conspiring to murder her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, and her niece’s former husband, Brandon Boudreaux.
In July 2019, Charles Vallow was fatally shot in Chandler, Arizona, by Lori’s brother, Alex Cox. While Cox initially claimed self-defense, investigators later questioned that account. Prosecutors alleged the conspiracy aimed to secure life insurance funds and allow Lori to marry Chad Daybell.
Later that year, in October 2019, a gunman in a Jeep fired at Brandon Boudreaux as he arrived at his home in Gilbert. The shot narrowly missed him. Authorities identified Alex Cox as the shooter in that incident as well; however, Cox died from a blood clot in his lungs before he could face charges. Vallow Daybell was sentenced to two life sentences for the Arizona crimes and is currently appealing those convictions as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lori Vallow Daybell appealing her Idaho conviction?
Her defense argues that she was denied a speedy trial and the attorney of her choice, and that the court should not have allowed evidence from her Arizona conspiracy cases to be presented to the Idaho jury.
What happened to JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan?
The two children went missing in 2019 and their bodies were later found buried on the rural Idaho property belonging to Chad Daybell.
What was the sentence for Chad Daybell?
Unlike Lori Vallow Daybell, who received life sentences without the possibility of parole, Chad Daybell was sentenced to death for the murders of the two children and his late wife, Tammy Daybell.