Judge denies Lori Vallow Daybell request for new trial
Jun 15, 2023, 9:15 AM | Updated: 5:49 pm
FILE: Lori Vallow Daybell stands and listens as the jury's verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho on Friday May 12, 2023. The Idaho jury convicted Daybell of murder in the deaths of her two youngest children and a romantic rival, a verdict that marks the end of a three-year investigation that included bizarre claims of zombie children, apocalyptic prophesies and illicit affairs. Her laywers filed an appeal with the Idaho Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Kyle Green)
(AP Photo/Kyle Green)
BOISE, Idaho — A judge has ruled against Lori Vallow Daybell’s request for a new trial according to East Idaho News. The judge denied that Vallow Daybell’s attorneys had effectively argued that the jury in her murder and conspiracy trial received incorrect instructions related to conspiracy charges.
Boyce rules that there will NOT be a new trial for Lori Vallow Daybell.
— Kaitlyn Hart – Reporter (@NewswithKait) June 15, 2023
According to reporting from KSL.com, Daybell’s lawyers argued that the court misdirected the jury in a matter of law related to jury instruction in the conspiracy charges.
Her legal team also said the court misdirected the jury in an amended indictment. Additionally, they argued that jury instructions were confusing and that all evidence was not submitted.
KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas says this isn’t necessarily the end for Vallow Daybell and her efforts for an appeal. But he also says Thursday’s court hearing is not out of the ordinary.
“The Court of Appeals will take a fresh look at it, and the Idaho Supreme Court will as well,” he said. “Like I say, this is a sort of a precursor to the appeal. But it’s something that defense attorneys do regularly. We certainly do it when you lose a trial, just ‘hey judge, you made some mistakes, we should correct these before they get up on appeal.’ The judge considered that.”
Skordas was surprised at how long Thursday’s proceedings lasted.
“It was a very lengthy motioning,” he said. “It included much more than just the conspiracy. There were all kinds of other things, including the evidence was weak, she shouldn’t have been convicted in the first place.”
A jury convicted Vallow on multiple charges last month, including the murder of her children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow.
Vallow Daybell will be sentenced on July 31.
Related: Skordas: Lori Vallow Daybell being spared the death penalty isn’t surprising
