How will a judge assure a fair jurors for Lori Vallow Daybell

BOISE, Idaho — A number of potential jurors for the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell have been dismissed because of bias against Vallow Daybell.

KSL’s legal analyst Greg Skordas said this isn’t surprising … given the amount of media attention this case has received.

“It is not necessarily critical in the sense that a juror with that perspective can be rehabilitated. And can say, ‘look I’m willing to put aside what I think I know about this case and base my decision solely on what I hear during the trial.'”

The meticulous jury selection continues on Wednesday. According to Skordas, there have been some hints from the judge that the jury may stay in a hotel. 

However, Skordas says if the judge overseeing the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell sees fit he could go as far as banning the jury from using their smartphones and social media for the duration of the trial.

“You can’t just tie people off from the rest of their families and what is going on in the rest of the world for six to eight weeks,” said Skordas. “I think that would be an extreme measure, but it is certainly not something out of the possibility for a judge to do.”

Further, Skordas said he thinks the notion of sequestering the jurors, isn’t necessarily a threat but rather the judge making sure others know he is taking the case seriously. 

Our previous reporting on the Lori Vallow Daybell case:

• Jury selection continues on day 2 of the Lori Vallow Daybell trial
• Why you can’t watch live during Lori Vallow Daybell’s trial in Idaho
• Skordas: Lori Vallow Daybell being spared the death penalty isn’t surprising
• Woodcocks speak ahead of Vallow Daybell trial; judge still deciding if they can sit in court