The trial of Chad Daybell, the spouse of convicted ‘Doomsday mom’ Lori Vallow, is set to commence this week in Idaho. This trial serves as a second act in a bizarre case that has drawn worldwide attention and has already resulted in a life sentence for Vallow. The trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks, with jury selection scheduled to begin on Monday.
Chad Daybell, a 55-year-old self-published author, is facing three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of his wife Tammy Daybell, his girlfriend’s 7-year-old son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, and JJ’s 17-year-old sister Tylee Ryan. Chad Daybell, who recently spoke to ABC News, claimed that the missing children are safe. However, the children’s bodies were found buried in his yard in the summer of 2020.
The case took a chilling turn when it was revealed that Chad and Lori Daybell believed in the existence of dark spirits that could possess people and turn them into “zombies.” They claimed that the only way to get rid of a zombie was to kill them. Former friend Melanie Gibb testified in court about their beliefs, shedding light on the couple’s twisted reasoning.
In addition to the murder charges, Chad Daybell is also facing charges of insurance fraud in connection with Tammy Daybell’s death and two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception in the children’s deaths. If convicted, he could potentially face the death penalty.
Despite pleading not guilty, Chad Daybell’s attorney John Prior has stated that his client is ready to go forward with the case and “wants to tell his story.” However, a gag order was issued by Judge Steven Boyce, prohibiting any discussion about the case until after jury selection and opening statements.
Originally, Chad and Lori Daybell were scheduled to stand trial together, but their defense attorneys requested that the cases be split, citing “mutually antagonistic defenses.” This decision was made by the judge, as it would require the jury to disbelieve one defendant in order to believe the other.
The grim case began in 2019 when Lori Vallow’s two youngest children disappeared. The subsequent investigation spanned several states and uncovered a web of lies and unexpected deaths. It was revealed that Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were having an affair when their spouses died under suspicious circumstances. Vallow’s husband was shot to death by her brother, who claimed it was self-defense. Tammy Daybell’s death, initially believed to be from natural causes, was later determined to be from asphyxiation.
Family members and authorities were shocked when Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married just two weeks after Tammy Daybell’s death. Friends of the couple revealed their belief in reincarnation and their conviction that they were tasked with gathering people before a biblical apocalypse. One friend testified during Vallow’s trial, stating that she referred to her children as zombies before they vanished.
Prosecutors argue that Chad and Lori Daybell used their doomsday beliefs as a justification for the deaths of the children and Chad’s wife. They allege that the couple concocted a scheme to eliminate any obstacles to their relationship and to obtain money from survivor benefits and life insurance.
As the trial begins, the world awaits the unfolding of this chilling case. With the potential for the death penalty and conflicting versions of events expected to be presented, this trial promises to captivate audiences with its dark and twisted narrative.
