What to expect in the Chad Daybell trial ahead of opening statements
Apr 8, 2024, 9:00 AM | Updated: 12:57 pm
The attorney for Chad Daybell had a pair of motions denied Thursday by an Idaho District Judge, including the dismissal of the criminal indictment against Daybell.
BOISE, Idaho— Jury selection for the trial of Chad Daybell wrapped up ahead of schedule on Monday. The judge in the case asked jurors to return to the courtroom on Wednesday.
Chad Daybell is facing multiple counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of JJ Vallow, Tylee Ryan, the youngest children of his wife, Lori Vallow Daybell. He is also facing murder and conspiracy charges in the death of his late wife Tammy Daybell.
Vallow Daybell was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for similar charges last year.
What’ll the trial look like
KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas thinks Daybell’s defense team will take a similar strategy to his wife’s lawyers in her trial, in trying to shift blame towards the other, or Vallow Daybell’s late brother Alex Cox.
“Chad is going to have to distance himself as much as possible from Lori, make her out to be the one who was the more involved in the case… the one that was making the decisions,” Skordas said.
Additionally, Skordas said he expects the prosecution to have other physical evidence against Daybell that wasn’t presented in his wife’s trial.
For example, the main piece of physical evidence tying Vallow Daybell to the murders of her kids was a hair found on a piece of duct tape on JJ Vallow’s body. Other than that, it was mostly text messages and other correspondence.
Daybell is also being charged with the murder of his late-wife, Tammy Daybell. Vallow Daybell was only charged with conspiracy in connection with her death.
Skordas, along with KSL NewsRadio reporter Adam Small will be in Boise for the expected start of opening arguments on Tuesday.
The trial is expected to last several weeks. Tune in to KSL NewsRadio for the very latest as the trial progresses.
Related reading:
- Tammy Daybell’s death was a homicide, coroner in Lori Vallow Daybell trial says
- JJ Vallow’s grandfather on Chad Daybell trial: ‘We’re ready’
- Idaho court denies Chad Daybell’s motion to strike death penalty
