Lori Vallow: 'Doomsday mom' refused to show up for competency hearing
PHOENIX - A hearing was held on Thursday morning to determine if Lori Vallow, the so-called "Doomsday Mom," is mentally fit to stand trial in her Arizona case.
Vallow is charged in the fatal shooting of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and the attempted murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. She is also accused of conspiring to commit murder in both cases that were investigated by Chandler and Gilbert Police.
The Rule 11 hearing for Vallow was held on Nov. 14 in Maricopa County Superior Court. Per the Maricopa County Superior Court's website, under Rule 11, the Forensic Services Division evaluates defendants for competency in criminal cases. Vallow's previous public defender lawyer filed the Rule 11 motion.
Vallow did not appear in court on Nov. 14, having refused MCSO transport. According to prosecutors, Vallow's new defense team advised her to not cooperate with the two court-appointed experts.
"We were hoping that the defendant would be present today, so that she could be admonished by the court that the most expedient way to get out of Rule 11 is to cooperate with the Rule 11 doctors," said prosecutor Katie Staab. "I'm not sure that it’s appropriate for defense counsel to advise the defendant to not cooperate, but that’s where we are."
"As far as having Ms. Vallow not speak, that was a decision based on the fact that we wanted to withdraw the Rule 11 motion," said Vallow's attorney, Pamela Hicks. "We did not want to be in Rule 11 court because we just didn’t think it was appropriate at that time. I think this is just a completely unique case."
Commissioner Travis Marderosian said he reviewed a report from Dr. Michael McGady, as well as a letter from Dr. Camille Hernandez. The court asked if both parties could agree to moving the case along, based on what appeared to be a competency finding in McGady’s report. Prosecutors said no, arguing that if Vallow wants to represent herself in court, the second opinion is needed.
Vallow was found unfit to stand trial in Idaho back in 2021, spending 10 months in a state hospital before being restored to competency. In May 2023, she was convicted for killing her two children, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow. The two children who were found buried in the backyard of Chad Daybell, Vallow's current husband. Vallow was also found guilty of conspiring in the murder of Daybell’s first wife, Tammy.
Evidence and testimonies in both Vallow and Daybell's trials revealed the trail of death was motivated by money, religious beliefs and sex.
"Just from an ethical standpoint, she just doesn’t have enough information to just render an opinion. So, I don’t want to force her to make an opinion when she’s not in a position to do that, and she needs more information, which she hopes to get in attempting to meet with the defendant next week," said Commissioner Marderosian. "Of course, Ms. Vallow not speaking with the mental health experts is causing some delay."
A second hearing is scheduled for Dec. 5.