Judge recommends change of venue in Chad Daybell case

ST. ANTHONY, Idaho — The judge considering murder and other charges against Chad Daybell granted a request for a change of venue in the case, likely from Fremont County, Idaho, to Ada County, Idaho. 

In a ruling issued by Judge Steven Boyce, he said he considered factors such as the available jury pool, facilities, staffing and even the cost to move the trial. 

Daybell faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and more related to the deaths of Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, his wife Lori Vallow Daybell’s children. He also faces charges connected to the death of his first wife, Tammy. 

The city of Boise is situated in Ada County and is Idaho’s capital city.  According to the US Census Bureau, in 2019 there were approximately 481,000 people that lived in Ada County.

Lori Vallow Daybell, Chad’s wife, is also facing charges related to the deaths of her two children, including murder. But an Idaho court has twice noted that she remains unfit to stand trial. She remains in the custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

In early August, Idaho prosecutors announced their intention to seek the death penalty against Chad Daybell saying “the nature and the magnitude of these crimes (the murders of Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow)  warrant the possibility of the highest possible punishment.”

Lori Daybell’s children were reported missing in September of 2019. She married Chad Daybell on Nov.5, 2019 in Hawaii. Their marriage came just weeks after his first wife’s death.

Lori Vallow Daybell was arrested in February 2020 on felony counts of desertion and non-support of dependent children. She has remained in jail ever since. 

She also faces a charge of conspiracy to commit murder in Arizona, in the death of her fourth husband.

Investigators arrested Chad Daybell on June 9, 2020, nearly a mile from his home. He was arrested almost immediately the bodies of JJ Valow and Tylee Ryan were discovered.

Complete coverage of the Vallow-Daybell story:

• A timeline of the missing children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan

• Judge hears arguments for change of venue in Daybell trial

• Chad Daybell waives right to speedy trial

• Lori Vallow remains unfit for trial, Chad Daybell’s trial to be rescheduled

• Exclusive 3D model offers unique view of Daybell crime scene

• Satellite photo shows Chad Daybell property on likely day of child’s burial

• Unsealed court document details final days of Vallow children

• Transcript of Lori Daybell’s call to Chad Daybell on day of children’s discovery

 

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