Jury sentences Chad Daybell to death

BOISE, Idaho — An Ada County jury sentenced Chad Daybell to death on Saturday. The decision came two days after the jury convicted Daybell for the murders of Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell.

Daybell has 30 days to file for an appeal and he will be transported to the Idaho State Prison, according to KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas. 

Skordas said if Daybell does appeal, he will likely have a new attorney represent him. A new attorney might be needed because the prior attorney could find it hard to find fault with his own defense.

From there, the state would defend against the appeals until they are exhausted in the state system. After that, the case would go to the federal courts.

Related: Key testimony so far from witnesses in Chad Daybell trial

With the sentencing phase happening so fast after the trial, Skordas said there are worries about what will come next. 

“This case moved very quickly,” Skordas said.

“Maybe the rules in Idaho are a little different but I’m very concerned that the penalty phase occurred so quickly after trial and while Chad was still sort of trying to take in what had just happened.”

According to Skordas, the speed of the trial to the penalty phase could give Daybell a defense of sorts.

This is because Daybell could claim he didn’t fully understand what was happening. Or, how he could have had people speak in his defense.

Inside the courtroom

It was described to be quiet as doors closed behind the audience at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho.

KSL TV reporter Lauren Steinbrecher reported from the courtroom that Daybell was sitting in his seat. He was looking forward at nothing in particular as chatter picked up around the courtroom.

Kay Woodcock, Larry Woodcock, Colby Ryan, Tammy Daybell’s aunt Vicki Hoban, Tammy Daybell’s siblings, including the Gwilliams were seen in the audience.

Tammy Daybell’s father Ron Douglas and Michael Douglas were not in attendance because they were reported to have left on a plane. 

Steinbrecher said one woman in attendance drove up from North Salt Lake at 2 a.m. Saturday morning to be there. The woman was also in attendance at Lori Vallow Daybell’s sentencing a year ago.

Related: KSL’s full coverage of the Chad Daybell case

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.