Chad Daybell trial day 4: Jury hears from Chandler detective about Charles Vallow's death

BOISE, Idaho - More testimony was heard in the Chad Daybell trial on April 16. He's the Idaho man accused of killing the so-called "Doomsday Mom" Lori Vallow's two children and his previous wife, Tammy Daybell.

So far in this trial, six witnesses have taken the stand, all from law enforcement.

On Tuesday morning, it was an FBI specialist talking about when they were called in to investigate the disappearance and deaths of Lori's children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan. During the afternoon, it was Chandler Police Detective Nate Duncan, who spoke about the connection between Chad, Lori, and the death of Lori's previous husband, Charles Vallow.

Duncan took over as the lead agent on the Charles Vallow murder case about a year after the fatal shooting in Chandler. Charles was shot and killed by Lori's late brother, Alex Cox, in July 2019. Cox claimed self-defense, saying he was hit with a bat by Charles during a fight.

Detective Duncan broke down details of the homicide case, and laid out specific text messages between Daybell and Vallow to prove they were in an affair months before their spouses died.

The potential motive of money was discussed, as the jury saw how Lori reacted to being removed as the beneficiary of Charles’ $1 million life insurance policy. The prosecution tried to prove motive in the case against Daybell, arguing that he murdered Tammy and Vallow’s children to start a new life.

Also during the day, a text message from Chad was in court: "I'm a grown up version of Harry Potter who has to live with the Dudleys in his little space under the stairs. Every few weeks, I get to escape and have an amazing adventure with my goddess lover."

He goes on to say, "But then I have to return to my place under the stairs, feeling trapped, but I sense permanent freedom is coming."