Idaho Supreme Court hears Lori Vallow Daybell’s appeal in child murder convictions

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) - Lori Vallow Daybell is scheduled to appear before the Idaho Supreme Court today, Nov. 2, as she continues her effort to overturn her convictions in the murders of her two children and the conspiracy to kill her husband's former wife.

Oral arguments are scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. Mountain Time at the Idaho Supreme Court building in Boise.

The hearing marks another significant development in a case that drew national attention after the disappearance and deaths of seven-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan.

Daybell was convicted in May 2023 of murdering her children and conspiring to murder Tammy Daybell, the former wife of her husband, Chad Daybell. She received multiple consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

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What is Daybell appealing?

Daybell filed her appeal earlier this year, arguing that several constitutional and procedural errors occurred during the original proceedings.

Her attorneys are challenging five primary issues:

• Right to counsel: Daybell argues the district court violated her Sixth Amendment right to an attorney of her choice by disqualifying her retained attorney, Mark Means, over an alleged conflict of interest.
• Legal representation during pretrial hearings: Her appeal argues she was denied her right to counsel during proceedings involving the removal of Means.
• Due process: Her attorneys argue the court violated her due process rights by holding pretrial hearings that affected her substantial rights while she was absent and deemed incompetent.
• Evidence from Arizona: The defense challenges the admission of evidence involving uncharged alleged criminal activity in Arizona during her Idaho trial.
• Right to a speedy trial: Daybell argues the court should have dismissed the case because it violated her statutory and constitutional right to a speedy trial.

What is the state arguing?

The state disagrees with Daybell's claims and maintains that the district court made no reversible errors.

Prosecutors have argued that Means was properly disqualified because of conflicts stemming from his previous representation of Chad Daybell.

The state also maintains that evidence involving the Arizona cases was relevant to demonstrating a broader plan connected to the Idaho killings.

On the speedy-trial issue, prosecutors argue that delays stemmed from competency proceedings, a change of venue, and the case's complexity.

What comes next:

According to the Idaho Supreme Court's hearing schedule, both sides will have 30 minutes to present their arguments. Justices may also ask questions as they consider the issues raised in the appeal.

The hearing is not expected to result in an immediate decision. The justices will review the arguments before issuing a written ruling later.

Chad Daybell was also convicted in connection with the deaths and sentenced to death.

Local News 8 will continue following Monday's proceedings and provide updates as more information becomes available. To see the latest updates on our official Vallow-Daybell Coverage, click here.