Lori Vallow Daybell presents her opening statements in Arizona trial

UPDATE: 5:30 p.m.: PHOENIX (KIFI)—Lori Vallow Daybell is representing herself against charges she conspired with her late brother to kill fourth husband, Charles Vallow in 2019.

"The evidence will show that at some point while I was running away from Charles who was chasing me with a bat that Alex apparently retrieved his gun," said Lori Vallow in her opening statements on Monday afternoon in a Phoenix Courtroom. "Self-defense is not a crime. A family tragedy is not a crime."

Police say Vallow-Daybell's brother Alex Cox shot and killed Charles at his suburban Phoenix home. Cox told police it was self-defense and was never charged. He died a few months later of a blood clot in his lungs.

Although Charles had already filed for divorce, prosecutors say Lori wanted to collect a life insurance policy so she could marry her boyfriend and soon-to-be husband, Chad Daybell.

"Lori Vallow is the reason Charles is dead," said Treena Kay, Maricopa County Prosecutor. "Lori Vallow wanted to be Lori Daybell. Lori wanted Charles' money."

Lori Vallow Daybell eventually married Chad Daybell, a self-published purveyor of doomsday prphecies. He was sentenced to death last year for his role in the killings of Daybell's two youngest children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow.

The prosecutor also spoke about Charle's growing concerns with Lori's dark beliefs and that Charles found out about Lori's affair with Chad. She said the jury would hear from Lori's other brother, Adam. He had planned to meet with Charles in Phoenix to try and help. The prosecutor said Lori and Alex found about the pland and created a situation that killed Charles.

After opening arguments on Monday afternoon, Prosecutors called their first two witnesses, officers from the Chandler Police Department.

The trial is expected to last for six weeks.

ORIGINAL STORY:

PHOENIX (KIFI)—Lori Vallow Daybell is set to face another trial on Monday, April 7, 2025. Daybell is accused of conspiring to murder her ex-husband, Charles Vallow. Her brother, Alex Cox, killed him but claimed self-defense.

A Maricopa County grand jury indicted Daybell for her alleged role in the planning of the murder.

She will represent herself in court but has a team of legal advisers who can step in and take over her defense if needed.

According to the court, Vallow Daybell will be allowed to wear civilian clothing without handcuffs or leg restraints. She will also be wearing a stun belt, which can give her sudden jolts should she try to run.

The trial is expected to last six weeks. The jury includes 13 men and 3 women.

Vallow Daybell is also accused of conspiring to kill her niece's ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. That case will be tried separately.

Daybell is already serving a life sentence for the killing of her two youngest children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, and conspiring to kill her fifth husband’s ex-wife, Tammy Daybell.

The jury trial will begin at 10:30 a.m. PDT (11:30 a.m. MDT). Per the judge’s order, the trial's live stream will be delayed by 30 minutes.