VALLOW DAYBELL CASE

Lori Vallow Daybell trial: judge and attorneys wrangle over jury instructions

May 10, 2023, 5:22 PM | Updated: May 11, 2023, 7:44 am

The Ada County, Idaho courtroom which has been the site of the Lori Vallow Daybell murder trial for...

The Ada County Courthouse is pictured on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. The jury was not present in court today as the judge and attorneys discussed the jury instructions (Larry D. Curtis, KSL TV)

(Larry D. Curtis, KSL TV)

BOISE, Idaho — The Ada County, Idaho courtroom which has been the site of the Lori Vallow Daybell murder trial for the past 26 days held fewer people today. The jury was not present for this half-day of discussion between Judge Steven Boyce, prosecuting attorney Lindsey A. Blake and defense attorney Jim Archibald.

Lori Vallow Daybell, age 49, is on trial for the murder of her children. The bodies of 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan were found buried when investigators searched Chad Daybell’s backyard in Rexburg, Idaho, on June 9, 202o. 

Along with the murders of the children, Chad Daybell, age 54, is accused of the murder of his wife, Tammy Daybell. His trial has not been set.

The defense and the prosecution both rested their cases this week, the defense doing so because, as they told Judge Steven Boyce, they didn’t believe the prosecution proved their case. Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday, May 11.

Jury instructions in the Lori Vallow Daybell trial

There are 39 instructions that the Lori Vallow Daybell jury will be given to consider, and on Wednesday most of those instructions were reviewed by the judge and attorneys. The jury had the day off.

When the defense challenged a jury instruction, which it did several times, the challenge lay in the wording and whether the instruction led to simplifying an idea or concept for the jury. For example, the defense was concerned that the wording of an instruction may lead the jury to believe they had more options to convict Lori Vallow Daybell than they actually do. 

Or, that the wording may confuse a juror.

For the most part, the jury instructions were acceptable to all sides. One defense objection had to do with Instruction 19, which did not “accurately reflect how my client (Lori Vallow Daybell) was indicted by the grand jury,” said defense attorney Jim Archibald.

This issue had been brought up the day before and defined as a clerical error contained within the indictment but not the charging documents. The defense’s objection was overruled. The defense also objected to the wording of Instruction 28. It could be solved, Archibald told the judge, by changing the word “and” to “and/or” in the instruction.

The judge agreed to amend this instruction slightly.

Closing arguments in the murder trial of Lori Vallow Daybell are expected to begin Thursday morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Vallow Daybell Case

Chad Daybell’s attorney files to withdraw from case due to lack of funds...

Kira Hoffelmeyer

Judge denies motion to withdraw by Chad Daybell attorney in hearing

Court documents show that Daybell's attorney wants out of the case because Daybell can't pay for for his services.

2 months ago

lori vallow daybell pictured, she faces murder charges in arizona...

Sam Herrera

Lori Vallow Daybell extradited to Arizona to face murder charges

Lori Vallow Daybell faces charges in Arizona that allege she killed her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and tried to kill her niece's ex-husband.

4 months ago

Chad Daybell and his attorney, John Prior, appear in a hearing....

LARRY D. CURTIS

3 motions filed to prevent Chad Daybell from facing death penalty during trial

The legal team for Chad Daybell have filed three motions to remove the death penalty as a possibility in his murder trial next year.

5 months ago

FILE - Lori Vallow Daybell sits during her sentencing hearing at the Fremont County Courthouse in S...

Waverly Golden

Lori Vallow Daybell to be extradited to Arizona, faces two charges

Once extradited, Vallow Daybell will face conspiracy charges to commit murder for the deaths of her fourth husband and former nephew-in-law.

5 months ago

lori vallow daybell shown, a judge ruled today that tammy daybell's aunt could speak at vallow dayb...

Larry D. Curtis

Lori Vallow Daybell files appeal on murder, conspiracy convictions

The lawyers representing Lori Vallow Daybell have filed an appeal with the Idaho Supreme Court.

7 months ago

lori vallow daybell and her lawyers...

REBECCA BOONE, Associated Press

Lori Vallow Daybell sentenced to life in prison with no parole for murders of her children

Lori Vallow Daybell has been sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday. She was found guilty in the murders of her two youngest children.

8 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Lori Vallow Daybell trial: judge and attorneys wrangle over jury instructions