Chad Daybell trial: Chad's family takes stand, mother 'surprised' at quick marriage to Lori Vallow
PHOENIX - After two weeks of testimony in the Chad Daybell trial, the defendant's own family members, including his own mother, took the stand on Thursday.
Daybell could face the death penalty if found guilty of murdering his first wife and two youngest children of Arizonan Lori Vallow.
The capital case intensified in the courtroom today.
Daybell family recounts surprise at meeting Vallow
The family of Chad Daybell took to the stand in his triple-murder trial on Thursday and talked about the surprise they experienced when finding out Chad and Lori Vallow were married and the concern they had with his doomsday beliefs. FOX 10's Justin Lum is covering the story.
Daybell's mother Sheila told the courtroom about here surprise in meeting "Doomsday Mom" Lori Vallow for the first time, a month after the death of his first wife Tammy Daybell.
"We noticed that these rings on and my husband said, ‘are you engaged?’ and they said ‘no we’re married,’" she said in testimony.
When asked by prosecutors if she was surprised she said, "yeah."
Sheila went on to say Chad and Lori did not tell the family that they were getting married.
Chad Daybell trial: Tammy's homicide detailed by retired Utah medical examiner
Utah's retired chief medical examiner testified on day 14 of the Chad Daybell murder trial. He spoke to the homicide of Chad's late wife, Tammy Daybell, and what might've happened to her leading up to her death by suffocation.
Her testimony lasted less than 20 minutes.
The defense pointed to Chad and Lori's seemingly opposite personalities and how Chad was more introverted, and had less experience with romantic relationships, to which Sheila confirmed.
What happened in the case?
Lori’s children J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan were found dead in Chad’s backyard in June of 2020 after missing for several months.
Tammy Daybell died of asphyxia in October of 2019.
Heather Daybell, Chad’s sister-in-law testified, telling the court how she was concerned about the self-proclaimed "Doomsday Prophet’s" beliefs several years ago.
She told the court how Chad’s alleged visions led to moving his family from Utah to Rexburg, Idaho.
Tammy Daybell died of asphyxia in October of 2019.
Heather Daybell, Chad’s sister-in-law testified, telling the court how she was concerned about the self-proclaimed "Doomsday Prophet’s" beliefs several years ago.
She told the court how Chad’s alleged visions led to moving his family from Utah to Rexburg, Idaho.
"He indicated that there would be an earthquake that would be happening in 2015, and he was kind of making sure and preparing us for all of these end of times events that were going to happen and cause a lot of destruction in Utah and particularly Salt Lake," Heather said in court.
This morning we also watched Kay Woodcock, the grandmother of J.J. Vallow testify about how she became suspicious, trying to get in contact with the seven-year-old who went missing in September 2019.