Lori Vallow Daybell murder conspiracy trial l Day 2
Lori Vallow Daybell questions on day 2 of trial
After both prosecutors and Lori Vallow Daybell made their opening statements to the jury on Monday, both sides questioned witnesses on April 8, during the second day of Vallow Daybell's murder trial. FOX 10's Lauren Clark and Irene Snyder report.
PHOENIX - The murder conspiracy trial of Lori Vallow Daybell resumed on Tuesday in a Phoenix courtroom, after both sides made their opening statements and witnesses began testifying.
The so-called "Doomsday Mom" is accused of conspiring to kill her then-husband, Charles Vallow, in the East Valley.
What They Said On Monday:
On Monday, Vallow Daybell told jurors that evidence will show that her brother shot Charles in self-defense.
"The evidence will show that Tylee came out of the room with a bat to protect me, her mother, from her stepfather, Charles Vallow. The evidence will show that Charles and Tylee fought over the bat, and after a struggle over the bat, Tylee fell on the ground," Vallow Daybell said in court on April 7.
Opening statements: Lori Vallow Daybell’s side of the story | On The Record
A recap of Day 1 of the Lori Vallow Daybell murder conspiracy trial, opening statements and what witnesses had to say about the case. The ‘Doomsday Mom’ cross-examined witnesses for the first time as her own attorney.
Prosecutors said this was all part of a plan and teased to witnesses who would describe Vallow Daybell's words and behaviors shortly before Charles' death.
"Lori Vallow wanted to keep the same lifestyle that she had with Charles, and she could get all of this if Charles was dead," said Treena Kay. "She could marry Chad Daybell, become Lori Daybell. She would get a million-dollar life insurance policy from Charles Vallow."
What They Said Today:
In court on April 8, prosecuting attorney Treena Kayt lobbed a number of objections over Vallow Daybell, who is representing herself (known in legal language as pro se) in the trial. At one point, Vallow Daybell appeared frustrated.
‘Doomsday Mom’ faces unique challenges, attorney says
Attorney Benjamin Taylor says Vallow Daybell has an uphill battle, particularly because she will be held to the same standards of understanding the law and rules as a member of the Arizona Bar would.
"You do see it on occasions where people want to represent themselves because they don’t trust the system," Tayhlor said. "The judge is going to hold her up to the standard of any other attorney out there who is practicing law. so she will not get any favors or any breaks if she doesn’t know the law."
While Vallow Daybell was able to make it through day one, there were times when her legal inexperience shone through. Prosecutor Treen Kay objected four times throughout Vallow Daybell's opening statement. Vallow Daybell also appeared to go back and forth during cross-examinations with law enforcement witnesses.
Doomsday Murder Trial: Prosecution aims to blow up Lori Vallow Daybell's self-defense claim | On The Record
Prosecutor Treena Kay questioned key witness, retired Chandler police detective Daniel Coons, who walked jurors through the scene where Charles Vallow was killed. Lori Vallow Daybell is accused of conspiring with her late brother Alex Cox who shot Charles after an alleged fight, claiming self-defense.
"At the end of the day, those jurors who are sitting there listening to her are the ones who decide this case. So do they find Lori Vallow credible, or not? So the biggest issue here is going to be whether or not they believe Lori Vallow when she’s up there testifying, when she’s up there cross-examining witnesses, and when she’s up there speaking to the jurors," Taylor said.
The backstory:
In Arizona, Vallow Daybell is accused of planning the death of her then-husband, Charles Vallow, in 2019. It was allegedly motivated by Vallow Daybell's religious beliefs, and a $1 million life insurance policy that Charles owned.
Charles was shot by Vallow Daybell's late brother, Alex Cox. Cox had said he shot Charles after a fight involving a baseball bat.
Charles Vallow and Lori Vallow Daybell.
Vallow Daybell is also accused of attempted murder in connection with her ex-nephew-in-law, Brandon Boudreaux. The shootings of Charles and Brandon happened within months of each other.
In Idaho, Vallow Daybell was found guilty of killing Tylee Ryan and Joshua "JJ" Vallow. She was also found guilty of her role in the death of Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell's first wife. Vallow Daybell was sentenced to life in prison in Idaho.
Chad Daybell, Lori's husband, was convicted of all three murders last year. He was sentenced to death.
What's next:
Day three of the trial gets underway at 10:30 a.m. on April 9. FOX 10's coverage of the trial begins at 11 a.m. on our YouTube channel.