A look at what has happened in the Lori Vallow-Daybell murder trial
MADISON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – The long awaited Lori Vallow-Daybell trial has come and is nearing the end as closing arguments begin on Thursday. Then, the jury will decide on a verdict.
It's unknown how long closing arguments and the verdict will take.
On Wednesday, the court met outside the presence of the jury to review jury instruction and the verdict form. Some changes will be made to the wording and spelling errors on the documents.
Lori's Attorney Jim Archibald argued to add to the documents Lori could be considered an accessory to the crimes, instead of blatantly guilty. Judge Steven Boyce denied the request.
The trial in review
For an opening statement, Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake began with this: "The defendant, Lori Vallow-Daybell used money, power and sex, or the promise of those things to get what she wanted. It didn't matter what obstacle she had to remove to get what she wanted. It didn't matter if the obstacle was a thing or a person. And if it was a person, it didn't matter who."
The state's opening arguments indicated strong motives for the crimes.
Throughout the trial, messages from Lori and Chad Daybell talk about insurance money from Charles Vallow, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan.
Lori sent Chad a text that said, "I just got the letter from the insurance company saying that i am not the beneficiary. It is a spear through my heart.'"
Evidence showing Tylee's bank account had been used multiple times after her death.
Heartbreaking testimonies also heard, highlighting manipulation Lori allegedly used to get her way.
Ian Pawlowski, husband of Melani Pawlowski (formerly Boudreaux), said, "There's no shortage of people in Melani's life that will abuse her in her circumstances to get what they want out of her. And Lori was one of them. She was telling her, you know, that Brandon's dark, that law enforcement officers... that Melani should have been cooperating with, were dark translated beings, that they were out to get them."
The state also pointing out how much Chad and Lori wanted to be together, allegedly referring to Tammy Daybell, JJ and Tylee as obstacles.
The afternoon after Tammy was found dead, Chad sent Lori a text that said, "Missing you so much. Can't wait to truly hold you tightly every day and night." Lori replied, "I'm missing you more. I need you desperately. I can't wait."
The biggest piece of evidence presented in the trial was a strand of Lori's hair found on duct tape attached to a decomposed body, alluding to JJ's.
Lori is charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit first degree murder in the deaths of Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell, two counts of first degree murder for the deaths of Tylee and JJ and grand theft by deception.
She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
