A jury is expected to return Monday for closing arguments in the trial of Lori Daybell after she told the judge she does not intend to present any evidence in the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow.
Daybell is already serving a life sentence in Idaho. In 2023, she was convicted of murdering her two youngest children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiring to kill her fifth husband’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. Her husband, Chad Daybell, was convicted of the same charges and sentenced to death.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Day two of court in Lori Daybell's trial for conspiracy to commit murder
In Arizona, Daybell is acting as her own attorney where, in addition to the conspiracy charge in Charles’ death, she’s accused of conspiring in an attempt to kill her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. The two cases will be tried separately, with the case regarding Charles’ death going to trial first.
Daybell married Vallow on Feb. 24, 2006, in Las Vegas. In 2013, the couple adopted JJ from Charles’ sister and her husband, Kay and Larry Woodcock, who were JJ’s grandparents.
In 2016, the couple moved to Arizona, where they settled down with Tylee and JJ. Three years later, Charles filed for divorce, indicating he was concerned about her mental health, according to East Idaho News.
Daybell's older brother, Alex Cox, fatally shot Charles on July 11, 2019, while he was arguing with Daybell after picking JJ up for school. Police said during the argument, Alex claimed Charles hit him over the head with a bat. Alex told police that after he was hit in the head, he retrieved a gun from his bedroom and shot Charles in self-defense.
FROM THE ARCHIVES | 'Doomsday Prophet' Chad Daybell found guilty of all charges in murders of his 1st wife, stepchildren
In a probable cause statement from the Chandler Police Department, investigators said no emergency aid was provided for Charles, and he was left bleeding on the floor for approximately 43 minutes before calling 911.
A grand jury indicted Daybell on the charge of conspiracy to commit murder for the death of Charles.
This story was originally published by Court TV.
