Latest news with #Vallow
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Lori Vallow Daybell's jaw-dropping response to 'guilty' verdict after ex-husband's murder
Lori Vallow Daybell, dubbed the 'Doomsday cult' mom , reportedly remained unfazed as she was declared guilty of conspiring with her brother to murder her former husband. This verdict in an Arizona trial follows her earlier conviction for the killing of her two children. As the Judge announced the jury's decision and confirmed the guilty verdict with each juror, Vallow maintained a chilling silence . The case, originating from Maricopa County, Arizona, dates back to July 2019 when Vallow Daybell's brother, Alex Cox, fatally shot her then-estranged husband , Charles Vallow, in a suburban Phoenix residence. Cox claimed self-defense to the police. He was never prosecuted and subsequently died of natural causes. Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'dumbest President ever' after six-word comment about Congo Read More Related Articles White House branded 'narcissistic' after brief 5-word tribute to Pope Lori Vallow in court on April 21, 2025, where she rested her case as her own attorney (Image: Tony Blakeslee via AP) At that time, Vallow Daybell was romantically involved with Chad Daybell, a self-published author known for his doomsday-themed fiction loosely inspired by Mormon teachings. She eventually relocated to Idaho with her children and brother to be nearer to him, a move critics have labeled as a 'doomday cult' situation. The disappearance of the children thrust Vallow and her spouse, Chad, into the spotlight as their grandparents and older sibling searched for them for almost nine months. When they vanished in September 2019, all other adults genuinely believed that Lori had simply left them somewhere and 'refused' to disclose their whereabouts to the grandparents. On the grim date of June 9, 2020, the tragic discovery of 7 year old Joshua "JJ" Vallow and 16 year old Tylee Ryan's remains was made in Chad Daybell's backyard. The investigation into the children's deaths revealed a tangled mess of deceit, cult-like activities, and a series of murders and attempted killings. According to prosecutors, Vallow plotted with her sibling, Alex Cox, to murder Charles Vallow in order to cash in on his life insurance and wed her then-beau, Chad Daybell, an Idaho writer known for his apocalyptic religious fiction. In a dramatic courtroom scene, where she represented herself and was outfitted with a 'taser belt' to thwart any escape attempts, Vallow recounted how Charles, her former spouse, had furiously confronted her on the night of his demise, disturbing the kids. Vallow, visibly emotional, recounted that Tylee, the teen, tried to protect her with a bat. She described a violent altercation where Charles and Tylee grappled for the gun, resulting in Charles knocking Tylee down. Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty in a second trial, this time in Arizona, after a jury found that she did conspire with her brother to kill her ex husband (Image: AP) The struggle persisted until her brother intervened and other relatives were roused by the commotion. She went on to claim that Charles pursued her with the bat until Alex intervened with his firearm. Lori Vallow narrated her frantic escape with her children to a car, followed by a drive-thru visit, before attempting to reach JJ's school. Scenes from the Netflix special 'Sins of Our Mother' unveiled footage of Lori Vallow walking into her home to discover her former husband deceased, yet she looked remarkably unruffled. As she relayed the day's plans to the authorities - dropping off her son at school and getting snacks for her daughter - she appeared nonchalant. An Arizona jury has convicted Lori Vallow Daybell of conspiring to kill her former husband in 2019 (Image: AP) Furthermore, during their statements with the police, Lori laughed and shared light-hearted conversations with the officers. The police attributed this to self-defense, never following up with the family after that day. Lori further justified, "Self-defense is not a crime," and "A family tragedy is not a crime," as part of her opening statement just a few weeks prior to that. It turned out that four months before his death, Charles Vallow had sought a divorce from Lori Daybell. In the divorce filing, he mentioned that Lori had a strange fascination with near-death experiences and professed to have lived past lives on other planets. In his filing, Charles also accused Lori of making financial threats and even vowing to take his life. Consequently, he asked for an assessment of her mental well-being. In an exclusive interview with NBC's Keith Morrison back in March, it was observed that Lori expressed no remorse over the loss of her children. Shockingly, as she geared up to defend herself in the trial for the murder of her estranged husband, she asserted that she felt "great". Currently, Lori is already serving a trio of life sentences for the passing of the children and her participation in plotting Tammy Daybell's murder in Idaho. Meanwhile, Chad received a death sentence for the said killings. She's set to face trial again in late May, this time on charges of conspiring to murder Brandon Boudreaux, the former husband of Vallow Daybell's niece, Melani Pawlowski. In 2019, an individual in a Jeep fired a shot at Boudreaux outside his home in a suburb of Phoenix. The bullet missed him but hit his car. The Jeep involved was similar to one registered to Charles Vallow, who had been killed almost three months before the incident at Boudreaux's residence.
Metro
23-04-2025
- Metro
'Doomsday mum' guilty of conspiring to murder her fourth husband
A 'doomsday mum' who killed two of her children has now been found guilty of conspiring to murder her fourth husband. Lori Vallow Daybell conspired with her late brother to kill her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, at his home in Chandler, Arizona, in 2019. He died in July of that year after being shot. She was hoping to collect money from his life insurance policy before marrying her now-husband, 'doomsday prophet' Chad Daybell. Vallow Daybell's brother, Alex Cox, claimed he acted in self defence when he shot and killed Mr Vallow. Cox died five months later after developing a blood clot in his lungs. The mum, who chose to defend herself at trial, said Mr Vallow had chased her around the house with a bat, but the jury found her guilty after deliberating for just three hours. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This is the second trial Vallow Daybell has faced amid a complex web of cases involving murders and mysterious deaths. Vallow-Daybell is already serving three consecutive life sentences for killing two of her children, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, 7, and conspiring to murder Daybell's previous wife, Tammy Daybell. Tammy died in her sleep in October 2019. Vallow Daybell became involved in a cult led by Chad Daybell, and after moving her family to be with him in Idaho they decided the children were 'zombies'. They justified the killings by suggesting the children had been taken over by 'evil spirits'. Chad Daybell received the death penalty last year after being found guilty of murder and conspiracy to murder in the deaths of Tylee, Joshua, and Tammy Daybell. He is awaiting execution at a maximum security facility in Idaho. Starting with Mr Vallow's death, the doomsday couple created a wider plot to rid their lives of 'obstacles', text messages shown to the 2023 murder trial showed. More Trending The prosecution said Vallow Daybell 'used money, power, and sex to get what she wanted'. Vallow Daybell will go on trial again in June, accused of conspiring to murder Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of her niece, Melani Pawlowski. Mr Boudreaux survived the drive-by shooting in Arizona in October 2019 – the assailant was driving Mr Vallow's car. Vallow Daybell won't be sentenced for her most recent conviction until after her next trial is complete. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Man tackles young girl for 'throwing eggs at his home' MORE: Top scientist working on groundbreaking cancer tech is detained by US immigration MORE: Manhole explodes and nearly takes out woman with two grandkids on sidewalk
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
'Doomsday mom' Lori Daybell found guilty in murder conspiracy trial
Lori Daybell, the mother convicted of murdering two of her children in a so-called doomsday plot, has now been found guilty of conspiring with her brother to kill her fourth husband. The jury in Maricopa County, Arizona, was handed the case Monday afternoon before reaching a verdict Tuesday afternoon. Lori Daybell, 51, represented herself in the Phoenix trial. She did not take the stand or call any witnesses. Dubbed the "doomsday mom," Lori Daybell has maintained that her brother shot her then-husband of 13 years, Charles Vallow, in self-defense in her home in Chandler, Arizona, in July 2019. Her brother, Alex Cox, died from natural causes months after the shooting. She had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. MORE: 'Doomsday mom' Lori Daybell delivers closing argument in murder conspiracy trial Prosecutors, meanwhile, said the shooting was a ploy for Daybell to get rid of her estranged husband so she could get his $1 million life insurance policy and be with her current husband, Chad Daybell, whom she married four months after the shooting. Prosecutors further said she invoked their "twisted" religious beliefs as justification for the murder and gave her brother "religious authority" to kill Vallow because they believed he was possessed by an evil spirit they referred to as "Ned." Over two weeks, the state called more than a dozen witnesses, including Daybell's other brother, Adam Cox, who testified that he had "no doubt" his two siblings conspired to kill Vallow upon learning that his brother had fatally shot him. In her closing argument, Maricopa County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Treena Kay said the evidence at the scene showed that Vallow was not shot in self-defense, but was "executed" and the scene "staged." She recounted text messages sent from Lori Daybell to her husband, Chad, seven days after Vallow was killed, discussing her now-deceased husband's life insurance policy. Kay said that, upon learning she was no longer the beneficiary of the plan, the defendant messaged Chad that "Ned" probably changed it "before we got rid of him." The prosecutor also discussed a text message the defendant sent Alex Cox days before the deadly shooting in which she said they could "be like Nephi," a prophet in the Book of Mormon who God commanded to kill Laban. "Lori Vallow wanted the million dollars, and she wanted Chad Daybell, and she and Alex used that twisted religious beliefs they had so that they could kill the evil, possessed Charles and 'be like Nephi,'" Kay said. Three jurors who spoke to reporters following the verdict said the text message evidence in the case had stood out while they were deliberating. The jurors said they had no knowledge of Lori Daybell's prior convictions, which were not discussed during the Phoenix trial. Members of Vallow's family expressed relief at the guilty verdict. "I'm ready to move on," Vallow's sister, Kay Woodcock, told reporters outside the courthouse. "This was thrust upon us, and our lives just went into, like a tornado, for a long time," she said. Following the guilty verdict, Lori Daybell agreed to several aggravating factors in the case, instead of having a jury make a finding on them. Among them, she agreed that this was a dangerous offense and that it involved the presence of an accomplice. When asked if she agreed that as a result of her conduct, the victim or the victim's family "suffered emotional or financial harm," she said, "Absolutely." She will be sentenced following another upcoming trial in Maricopa County, where she is further accused of scheming with her brother Alex Cox to kill Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of her niece. Three months after the shooting of Vallow, Boudreaux called 911 to report that someone driving by in a Jeep shot at his vehicle outside his home in Gilbert, Arizona. She has pleaded not guilty in that case. MORE: Brother of 'doomsday mom' Lori Daybell testifies against her in latest murder trial Both Lori and Chad Daybell were found guilty of first-degree murder for the deaths of her children, Joshua "J.J." Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16, who went missing months after Charles Vallow was killed. In separate trials in 2023 and 2024, prosecutors argued the couple thought the children were possessed zombies and murdered them so that they could be together. The children's remains were found on an Idaho property belonging to Daybell in June 2020 following a monthslong search. Lori Daybell is currently serving life in prison without parole for the murders of her two children. She has denied killing them. Chad Daybell was sentenced to death after being convicted of murdering the two children, as well as his first wife, Tamara Daybell, and now awaits execution on Idaho's death row. 'Doomsday mom' Lori Daybell found guilty in murder conspiracy trial originally appeared on
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Both sides rest their case: Lori Vallow Daybell trial week two recap
PHOENIX, Arizona () — Lori Vallow Daybell, the Idaho mother convicted of killing her two children, has finished her second week of trial for her husband's murder in 2019. Both the prosecution and defense have rested their cases, and a trial date has been set for Vallow Daybell's attempted murder case. , jurors heard from family members and even a woman who testified she and Vallow had a date the evening before Charles Vallow was killed. Also on the stand were first responders at the scene of Charles Vallow's death on July 11, 2019. Vallow Daybell was previously sentenced for murder and conspiracy to murder her children, Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ashlyn Ryan, 16. She was sentenced to prison and is currently serving five life sentences. This week, Deputy Maricopa County Attorney Treena Kay called several witnesses who testified regarding Vallow Daybell's actions following her husband, Charles Vallow's, death. The court learned about Vallow's autopsy, Vallow Daybell's calls to the insurance company, and where she went in the 40 minutes between Vallow's death and the 911 call. RECAP: What happened during Lori Vallow Daybell's first week on trial 'I know he owes a lot of people money, and I was worried if I got money, they'd be coming after me for money… now I will be with none.' The state called Dr. Derek Bumgarner, a medical examiner with Maricopa County, to the stand. He performed the autopsy on Charles Vallow following his death on July 11, 2019. Treena Kay brought up photos from the autopsy, and Bumgarner described what he observed when he performed it. Treena Kay asked if the toxicology report found any drugs or alcohol in Vallow's system. Bumgarner testified that Vallow did not test positive for drugs or alcohol. He confirmed that he determined the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. Lori Vallow Daybell then began her cross-examination. She asked about the drugs that the toxicology report tested for. Vallow Daybell briefly questioned him about the logistics of shoring. Bumgarner testified that he had never seen a shored wound caused by a t-shirt. DAY FIVE: Phone calls, police interview footage shared during Lori Vallow Daybell murder trial Mark Saari, a special agent with the Social Security Administration, was then called by the state. He is responsible for investigating fraud, waste, and abuse cases involving Social Security. In 2020, he was assigned a fraud investigation into Vallow Daybell's Social Security payouts from Vallow's death. Saari confirmed that when Vallow Daybell married Chad Daybell, her mother-in-care benefits would have ceased, while JJ's benefits would have continued. He testified that Vallow Daybell did not notify Social Security of her new marriage. Robin Smith Scott, a claims representative with Banner Life Insurance Company, was then called to the stand. She testified that Charles Vallow had a life insurance policy worth $1 million. Scott stated that Vallow Daybell was the beneficiary until Feb. 26, 2019, when the beneficiary was designated as Vallow's sister, Woodcock. Vallow Daybell contacted Scott to discuss a letter she received stating that she was not the beneficiary on Vallow's life insurance policy. During the call, Scott confirmed that the beneficiary had been changed and stated that she couldn't divulge much information. 'I'm trying to figure out what he was doing since we have five kids and we've been married for 15 years,' Vallow Daybell says during the recording. 'I know he owes a lot of people money, and I was worried if I got money, they'd be coming after me for money… now I will be with none.' Vallow Daybell stated she had no questions for the cross-examination, and Scott stepped down. CASE HISTORY: A complete timeline for the Daybell, Vallow murders Jeff Moberg then went on the stand. He is a forensic scientist with the Arizona Department of Public Safety in the Firearms and Toolmark Unit. Moberg described how forensic investigation of a gun is completed. He identified the firearm as a Springfield Armory XDM 45 caliber semi-automatic pistol and testified that the two bullets at the scene were fired by that pistol. Cassandra Ynclan, a police detective with the Chandler Police Department, was called to the stand by the state. She responded to the scene of Vallow's death on July 11, 2019. Ynclan recalls seeing Vallow Daybell parked across the street with Tylee after she arrived. 'Just kind of appeared to be having this, kind of, ordinary interaction with Officer Krautheim,' Ynclan said of Vallow Daybell that day. 'Kind of ordinary and nonchalant.' Clips from the police interview between Vallow Daybell and Ynclan are then played for the courtroom. 'It's all these threats on my phone all the time… he's always mad at me and he doesn't want a divorce, but I don't like him,' Vallow Daybell says when asked about Vallow on the recording. Idaho mom who killed 2 of her kids goes on trial over husband's death Vallow Daybell's cross-examination centered on the interview of her daughter, Tylee. She asked about what was said during that interview, but those questions were sustained as hearsay, and Ynclan did not answer. Judge Beresky broke court for the evening. 'The idea that one could — in 12 minutes — go to a Burger King, get their order, drive seven miles one way, seven miles back… seems unlikely to me.' Cassandra Ynclan, a police detective with the Chandler Police Department, . Vallow Daybell continued her cross-examination. Vallow Daybell asked more about what Ynclan witnessed about her and Tylee on the day of Vallow's death. She asked if her demeanor at the scene — which Ynclan described as 'nonchalant' and 'ordinary' — was abnormal for someone in that situation. Ynclan testified that she had not personally been in a situation where her husband was murdered in her home. Day 6 of Lori Vallow Daybell trial: Surveillance footage shows she went to Burger King after shooting Detective Ariel Werther with the Chandler Police Department was then called to the stand. Werther is a subject matter expert on cellphone records, especially map and GPS data. Werther went to the scene of the shooting on July 11, 2019. The following day, he called Vallow Daybell to obtain JJ's contact information. She informed Werther that she had Vallow's wallet and hotel key. 'The school is approximately seven miles away from the house. So the idea that one could — in 12 minutes — go to a Burger King, get their order, drive seven miles one way, seven miles back and arrive in that amount of time seems unlikely to me,' Werther testified. The 911 call had been placed at 8:36 a.m., and Vallow Daybell was captured on police bodycam at 8:48 a.m. Werther compiled a PowerPoint presentation of evidence collected from Vallow's cell phone on July 11, 2019, which was in Vallow Daybell's vehicle after she left the house with JJ and Tylee. He used GPS data and personally visited the locations to corroborate the evidence collected. Vallow's phone is seen in the area of the hotel where he was staying before traveling to Vallow Daybell's home. The last text message sent from the device before Vallow's death is at 7:37 a.m. At 7:50 a.m., the phone leaves the home, and it pings again near Burger King after 7:52 a.m. Vallow Daybell can then be seen in surveillance footage at the drive-through window. Lori Vallow Daybell given 5 life sentences in prison for murder of her two children Vallow Daybell is captured on surveillance video entering Walgreens at 8:17 a.m. and purchasing two pairs of flip flops. According to location data from Vallow's phone, she then dropped JJ off at school. As she was leaving, around 8:35 a.m., Alex Cox placed the 911 call. At 8:49 a.m., Vallow Daybell is captured with Tylee on police bodycam at the scene. Werther testifies that the timeline established that either the shooting happened a while before the 911 call, or Vallow Daybell was not present for the shooting. Vallow Daybell completed her cross-examination. The prosecution objected to many of her questions, and the judge sustained the objections. She mainly asked about what was located in the hotel room, and what information was found on Vallow's cell phone. 'It will be interesting if it got changed after he had two bullets in his chest.' Nathan Duncan, a detective with the Chandler Police Department in the robbery and homicide unit, was the only witness for the day. He was sent to the scene of the shooting on July 11, 2019. Duncan reviewed iCloud extractions from Vallow's phone. He also reviewed emails that were located in the iCloud account, notably from 'kkwalker75.' Duncan testified that although the name on the email was Karen Walker, it was connected to an old phone number that belonged to Vallow Daybell. Chad Daybell found guilty on all counts in 'doomsday' murder case Vallow had saved an email sent by 'kkwalker75' to Chad Daybell. The email appeared to be from Vallow, asking him to come to Arizona to help ghostwrite a book. Vallow — who was in Houston at the time — confronted Vallow Daybell about this email and an affair, according to Duncan. Vallow also contacted Chad Daybell's late wife, Tammy Daybell, about the email. Duncan testified that police uncovered multiple messages speaking about 'Ned,' a name for the demon she believed was living in Vallow's body. Messages between Vallow Daybell and Alex Cox revealed that they had been discussing Ned. On July 9, 2019, a text message sent from Vallow Daybell to Alex Cox reads, 'I'm going to need you to stay close to me the next couple days. Mel too. She can't go to Utah. They are planking some kind of intervention but want Mel out of the way so I am left alone… it's all coming to a head this week. I will be like Nephi I am told! And so will you.' Messages between Vallow Daybell and several family members — her mother, Janis Cox, her sister, Summer Shiflet, and her niece, Melani Boudreaux — show that they were working to keep her apart from Adam Cox on July 10, 2019. They knew that Adam Cox and Vallow were planning an intervention. After Vallow's death on July 11, 2019, Duncan testified that romantic messages were exchanged between Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell. Before that event, no 'obviously romantic' messages had been exchanged. Long chains of romantic messages are then shown to the courtroom, including a romantic story Chad Daybell wrote about how he and Vallow Daybell met, swapping out their names with 'James' and 'Elena.' Mom convicted of killing kids in Idaho pleads not guilty to Arizona murder conspiracy charges 'Hmm. It will be interesting if it got changed after he had two bullets in his chest,' Chad Daybell wrote to Vallow Daybell after finding out that Vallow's life insurance beneficiary had been changed several months before his death. Vallow Daybell told him she couldn't change it after his death. During her cross-examination, Vallow Daybell walked through what Duncan saw at the scene and how the investigation was handled. She asked if he was familiar with Nephi and whether he was aware that there could have been a different Nephi in 'The Book of Mormon' that she was referring to. Treena Kay completed her redirect examination and then rested her case, meaning that the state has no further witnesses to provide testimony or evidence to show. Judge Beresky asked if Vallow Daybell would be calling witnesses or if she had any evidence. Vallow Daybell rested her case as well. The judge told her that if she rests her case, she is not able to change her mind about testifying. Vallow Daybell asked if she could have until Monday to decide whether she will testify. The next step in the trial will be jury instructions. Jury hears tearful victim impact statements at Chad Daybell's sentencing The jury was not in court this morning as the defense, prosecution and judge reviewed jury instructions. Vallow Daybell confirmed that she is not planning of presenting any evidence or calling any witnesses. Jury instructions are guidelines for the jury while they engage in deliberation, explaining laws and proceedings for the jury to apply. The jury instructions were standard for the Arizona court. There were some adjustments made because Vallow Daybell is representing herself. Vallow Daybell confirmed that the witnesses she had subpoenaed could be released. Jury instructions were finalized, and the plan for Monday was discussed. Judge Beresky then set the trial for Vallow Daybell's case of attempted murder against Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of her niece, Melani Boudreaux. The trial will begin May 30 at 10 a.m., and the last day will be June 30. There will be a final trial management conference on May 14. Vallow Daybell will be back in court on Monday for her conspiracy to murder Vallow case. Deer Valley Music Festival to feature Lindsey Stirling, Beach Boys, and Common Cox confirms here will be a special legislative session in May Good Samaritans rescue man from truck that crashed into lake Both sides rest their case: Lori Vallow Daybell trial week two recap LIST: Easter egg hunts, art festivals, and more this weekend Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
What happened during Lori Vallow Daybell's first week on trial
PHOENIX () — The first week of Lori Vallow Daybell's jury trial is ending today. She is accused of conspiring to murder her late husband, Charles Vallow, in July 2019. Vallow Daybell is representing herself in this case. Vallow Daybell was previously sentenced for murder and conspiracy to murder her children, Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ashlyn Ryan, 16. She was sentenced to prison and is currently serving five life sentences. ABOUT THE CASE: A complete timeline for the Daybell, Vallow murders 'Lori used this religion and this story of Nephi as justification to kill Charles Vallow.' The trial was off to a rocky start on Monday when the prosecution requested that a potential witness be allowed to stay in the courtroom during the trial. According to the prosecution, he had not yet been subpoenaed. Judge Justin Beresky asked about the relevance of the witness, and Vallow Daybell provided a somewhat vague response, causing the judge to begin a sidebar with the prosecution and defense. Deputy Maricopa County Attorney Treena J. Kay delivered following the sidebar. She first read a message from Vallow Daybell to her brother Alex Cox on July 9, 2019. Treena Kay claimed that Vallow Daybell was seeking a million-dollar life insurance policy payout and social security. In the message was a line that read, 'I will be like Nephi — I am told — and so will you.' Treena Kay explained the connection between this alleged message from Vallow Daybell and the death of Charles Vallow. Idaho mom who killed 2 of her kids goes on trial over husband's death 'Lori, Chad and Alex used religion… and a story of Nephi, a prophet who is directed by the Holy Spirit to kill Laban… and secure the long-term prosperity of Nephi's descendants,' Treena Kay stated. 'Lori used this religion and this story of Nephi as justification to kill Charles Vallow.' In her opening statement, Vallow Daybell described a tense family situation, including arguments between Vallow and herself as well as her children. Vallow Daybell struggled with emotion while describing a physical struggle between her daughter, Tylee, and Vallow. She recalls Alex Cox retrieving a gun while she drove away with the children, and claims they were later told Vallow was dead. 'Spouses having insurance policies is not a crime. Collecting Social Security is not a crime. Self-defense is not a crime. Family tragedy is not a crime, it's a tragedy,' Vallow Daybell said. After a brief recess, Chandler Police Sgt. Irwin Wierzbicki, retired Chandler Police Officer Robert Krautheim and Chandler Fire Department Paramedic Scott Cowden were called by the prosecution one after another. These were first responders at the scene of Vallow's death. These witnesses testified that Vallow Daybell and Alex Cox displayed calm demeanors after the death of Vallow. Krautheim stated of Alex Cox, 'He was calm, not emotional at all. Different than what I would have anticipated.' Judge Beresky called a break for the evening before the cross-examination of the final witness, Scott Cowden. Chad Daybell found guilty on all counts in 'doomsday' murder case 'I would have expected more blood.' The second day of Vallow Daybell's jury trial picked up with her cross-examination of Cowden. Vallow Daybell asked several questions about paramedic training and the emergency medical response to Vallow at the scene. The state then called Kent Keller to the stand, a retired Chandler Fire Department captain. Keller was asked similar questions to Cowden, mostly revolving around the medical response to Vallow and how he was found at the scene. The prosecution also asked questions about whether he believed CPR had been performed before paramedics arrived. 'Had adequate CPR been given there, I would have expected more blood… and perhaps a pool of blood under. I didn't see any blood under him — I mean, when we first got there,' Keller testified. Mom convicted of killing kids in Idaho pleads not guilty to Arizona murder conspiracy charges After a lunch break, Daniel Coons, a retired Chandler Police Department (CPD) detective was called to the stand by the state. Treena Kay questioned Coons on the investigation at the home, and he walked them through the process of gathering evidence. Coons reviewed crime scene photos, pieces of evidence — including the bat and the gun — and answered questions regarding the day of the incident. The trial wrapped up for the day during Vallow Daybell's cross-examination of Coons. 'Are you trying to tell me and this jury that you went on one date with my husband and he told you all the details of our lives?' Vallow Daybell continued her cross-examination after the trial resumed on Wednesday. She questioned Coons on evidence regarding the clothing Vallow was wearing and how Coons had determined Vallow was on the floor the second time he was shot. 'In your opinion again, looking at the casings, the injuries to Charles, the location of the projectile as well as the shored wound and the lack of stippling, does that support your opinion that Charles was on the ground when he was shot in the abdomen?' Treena Kay asked Coons. 'Yes it does,' Coons replied. Coons stepped down from the stand after this, and the state called their next witness. Nancy Jo Hancock was the fifth witness called by the state. She is reportedly the last person to have seen Vallow alive outside of the family. Victims make impact statements at Vallow Daybell trial before life sentencing Hancock testified that she and Charles Vallow met through a dating site for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She recalls that they had many conversations and Vallow told her about his marriage to Vallow Daybell. Hancock testified that she met with Vallow on July 10, 2019, the day before Vallow was shot. She stated that the two met for dinner when he arrived in Arizona. According to Hancock, Vallow said he had changed the beneficiary of his life insurance policy to his sister, Kay Woodcock. During cross-examination by Vallow Daybell, things turned slightly tense. 'Are you trying to tell me and this jury that you went on one date with my husband and he told you all the details of our lives?' Vallow Daybell asked Hancock. 'I'm telling you the truth, and that's what I know,' Hancock replied. 'So you spent your whole date getting to know each other and talking about me?' Vallow Daybell questioned. 'Don't flatter yourself. No, we did not spend the whole time talking about you,' Hancock said. 'I know for a fact that my children are happy': Lori Vallow Daybell speaks at murder trial Hancock was further questioned regarding what Charles had told her about his relationship with Vallow Daybell. She shared that he was looking into divorcing Vallow Daybell, but she did not know whether he had legally started the process. Additionally, Hancock shared that she had met Adam Cox — Vallow Daybell's other brother — during a pickleball tournament, but that they had not discussed case details. The court took a brief recess before the prosecution called Christina Atwood to the stand. Atwood testified that she had met Vallow and Vallow Daybell through church in Arizona, and was friendly with them. She shared that they visited them in Hawaii after they moved there. Atwood would later be invited to a girls' weekend with Vallow Daybell and several other women. 'She was concerned about dark spirits plaguing him,' Atwood said when asked if Vallow Daybell had said anything regarding Vallow. She also recalled Vallow Daybell speaking similarly about Sarena Sharpe, another friend. The trial ended for the day after the prosecution finished their questioning. 'All these things added up… no doubt in my mind that they killed him.' Thursday began with Adam Cox, Vallow Daybell's brother, being called to the stand by the prosecution. He testified that Vallow Daybell had shared some beliefs with him that he found concerning. 'In our religion, the men hold the priesthood,' Adam Cox explained. 'And she said that she's in a state where she's above that. I didn't quite understand it, but — very strange.' He then shared that Vallow had asked him for assistance with an intervention between the family and Vallow Daybell. According to him, Vallow expressed concern about his wife's beliefs in text conversations. They created a plan to record this intervention and share it with her stake president — a religious leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Warrants reveal search history before murder and burial of Lori Vallow Daybell's children Adam Cox testified he was going to stay with his brother, Alex Cox, while in Arizona for the intervention. He recalls that when he arrived on July 10, 2019, Alex Cox stopped talking to him, and he instead stayed with their parents. Later, Adam Cox was told that his brother was at Vallow Daybell's home that night, which made him concerned. 'Freaked out for a little bit, cried, didn't know what to do. It felt like my world was coming apart,' Adam Cox shared when asked how he reacted when he discovered Vallow was dead. 'Lori had told people that Charles was no longer living… that there's a zombie living inside of him. And Alex didn't respond to any of my text messages when I was supposed to be with him. And he was at that house that morning,' Adam Cox said. 'All these things added up… no doubt in my mind that they killed him.' Adam Cox then left the stand, and the next witness was called. Sarena Sharpe was called to the stand. She was a friend of Vallow Daybell and participated in conferences with Vallow Daybell. Sharpe recalls meeting Vallow Daybell and staying at her home during one of these conferences in Nov. 2018. They would later attend a girls' weekend together in Mar. 2019. Vallow Daybell would ask the women in attendance to help 'cast out' evil from her husband. 'What I remember is she had a couple of verses in the bible that she pulled out and read, and then said something to the effect of 'I believe we don't need to repent anymore,'' Sharpe testified Vallow Daybell said. 'That was shocking.' She shared that Vallow Daybell's claim went against the beliefs of their religion. Sharpe testified that she questioned Vallow Daybell about her repentance claim and other strange beliefs. According to her, this caused her to be treated differently by Vallow Daybell. LISTEN: First time Lori Vallow Daybell lies to officers about her son's location During cross-examination by Vallow Daybell, she questioned Sharpe on 'translated' religious figures from 'The Book of Mormon' and 'The Bible.' She clarified with Sharpe that they had only met a few times and asked whether Sharpe believed she had anything to offer to the trial. William McDonald, a retired CPD officer, was called as a witness after Sharpe left the stand. McDonald conducted digital forensics at the police department. He testified regarding the information extracted from Vallow Daybell's cell phone. Marrisa Francisco, a forensic scientist with the CPD, was then called to the stand. She testified regarding the fingerprinting of evidence in the case. Francisco said that the fingerprints located on the baseball bat were not identifiable. The final witness for the week was called by the prosecution after a brief recess. Kay Woodcock, Vallow's younger sister, went on the stand. Woodcock shared more about Vallow's personal life and relationship with his family members. Woodcock testified about a period between Feb. and Mar. 2019 when Vallow Daybell left with Tylee for 58 days and Woodcock stepped in to help Vallow with JJ. She was helping Vallow move to Houston, Texas, when Vallow Daybell suddenly returned and moved to Houston with them. Vallow Daybell did eventually move back to Arizona, while Vallow stayed in Texas. Woodcock recalls Vallow's oldest son, Cole, calling her on Jul. 12, 2019. He told her Vallow Daybell texted him that Vallow had been killed, and he found an article confirming it online. 'It was horrible,' Woodcock said, voice breaking. 'I had to call all my siblings and let them know. And everyone was freaking out and I didn't know what to do.' 'She was too busy to even call his family to say that he was dead by her brother killing him,' Woodcock said of Vallow Daybell. The family ended up speaking with police detectives to find out what was going on. Lori Vallow Daybell's son arrested for sex crimes Vallow Daybell had Vallow cremated and sent him to Woodcock's office in Texas through FedEx. She states that Vallow had a watch collection, and Vallow Daybell had thrown in just a couple of watches and his letterman jacket from high school. 'A lady called and said that I was the beneficiary — I was the sole beneficiary,' Woodcock said. She testified that Vallow Daybell later contacted her with a screenshot of the change of beneficiary form. Woodcock recalls the text she received, 'Something along the lines of 'Five kids and his sister gets all the money, is that why you want JJ?'' Woodcock testified that after she found out about the change of beneficiary, she said she was too busy to take JJ to his father, Vallow's, funeral. During cross-examination, Vallow Daybell questioned whether Woodcock knew about the contention between Tylee and Vallow. She said that she was aware of it. 'I saw them have good times. It wasn't that they couldn't look at each other… but a teenage girl is hard anyway, but I do know that there was a lot of issues with her dad, and Lori with her ex-husband, and custody and… it was a mess. It was a mess,' Woodcock stated. Vallow Daybell's jury trial will resume at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 14. The Associated Press contributed to this report. SLC considers hiring private security for west side parks What happened during Lori Vallow Daybell's first week on trial Near record heat builds across Utah ahead of cooldown Did you know? Missouri has an exact replica of DC's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Utah labor leaders in final push to repeal controversial collective bargaining ban Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
