Lori Vallow-Daybell murder trial adjourns for the day
ADA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – Day three of testimony began Wednesday finishing up cross examination with Rexburg Police Department Lead Detective Ray Hermosillo. The defense was focused on the excavation efforts on Chad Daybell's property. They asked Hermosillo about who was there and the timeline of the discoveries of the bodies of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan.
After redirect, the prosecution discussed the weapons found on Vallow-Daybell's property. Hermosillo did no know whether or not the weapons belonged to her, but they looked suspicious and he was aware of the attempted homicide of Brandon Boudreaux. Hermosillo says the weapons were taken from the property.
Hermosillo was also questioned about following up on the tips received. He says they attempted to follow up on every tip.
The defense requested a re-cross examination. This time, they focussed on the death of Daybell's former wife, Tammy Daybell.
Hermosillo did not investigate her death specifically, but reviewed all the information regarding it. The defense has no further questions. Hermosillo was dismissed.
The State then called Lieutenant Jared Willmore from the Madison County Sheriff's Office. He oversees the Madison County Jail's Telemate system, a way for inmates to make phone calls and video calls.
There was a brief sidebar before the full audio recording was played from June 9, 2020, the say police officers and detectives were on Daybell's property. Throughout the phone call Daybell had few words and spoke quietly. Vallow-Daybell tried comforting Daybell asking him what she could do for him. They both agreed to pray and ended the call with "love you's."
The defense did no cross-examine Willmore, he was dismissed.
Then the State called Lieutenant Joseph Powell from the Fremont County Sheriff's Office to the stand. Powell became involved after the Gilbert Arizona Police Department asked for his help locating the Jeep Wrangler involved in the attempted homicide of Boudreaux.
He then was in charge of surveilling Vallow-Daybell and Daybell. In 2019, he followed the couple to Cafe Rio in Idaho Falls from Vallow-Daybell's Rexburg apartment. Powell says he could not hear the conversation between Vallow-Daybell and Daybell. The two were reportedly just eating, talking and holding hands.
Suspicions rose after Tammy Daybell's death because, Powell says, she was young and in good health. The court then saw photos of the exhumation of Tammy Daybell's body before her autopsy.
Upon cross-examination, the defense asked if Powell knew where Lori was on the day of Tammy's death. John Thomas, Vallow-Daybell's attorney finished with, "Would it shock you to know she (Lori) was in Hawaii?" Powell replied, "No."
The court then took a mid-morning break. After break, court was back in session, but only to notify everyone they would adjourned for the day. Earlier, the defense asked to end court proceedings early today due to a death in Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake's family. The trial will continue on Thursday and Friday morning, but there will be no court proceedings for this trial on Monday.
