BOISE, Idaho — There was a buzz around the Ada County Courthouse on Thursday, May 30, as the jury delivered their verdict for Chad Daybell. With folks both inside the courthouse, and outside listening to the stream, it felt like there was a collective holding of breath while the verdict was read.
Chad Daybell was found guilty on all nine counts he was facing. He was facing three counts of murder in the first degree, three counts of conspiracy to commit murder, and three counts of insurance fraud. The jury foreperson read the verdict in a strong, decisive voice.
Now that the verdict has been delivered, Chad Daybell and his lawyer John Prior will go back into the courtroom. This time, to face sentencing. Daybell is facing the death penalty.
With the death penalty on the table, the jury that convicted Daybell will also be responsible for sentencing him as well. This jury has been serving for nearly eight weeks now, and will have to be sequestered during this sentencing period.
Prosecution tells KTVB reporter Abby Davis that statements shouldn't be too lengthy, and may wrap up by the end of this week, with a possibility of jurors working Saturday.
It has taken nearly five years to get to this point. The children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, were assumed to be killed in the fall of 2019. It was almost one year ago exactly that their mother, Lori Vallow, was sentenced to life in prison for the same crime of murder.
Live Updates:
7:50 p.m.: The jury has finished deliberating for the night. They will continue Saturday morning.
1:54 p.m.: John Prior provides his closing remarks, bringing up the indictment. His wraps up in five minutes. Jurors will now begin to deliberate upon whether or not the defendant Chad Daybell will face the death penalty. The jury exits the room, and court is adjourned for an unknown time while they deliberate.
1:44 p.m.: Judge Boyce completes the instructions. The state provides their closing remarks. Prosecutor Lindsey Blake is giving the statement, using the projector to show the words "money, power, & sex". Blake brings up the insurance fraud that Lori Vallow committed.
1:28 p.m.: The jurors are brought back into the courtroom, with their instructions for sentencing in their seats. Judge Boyce reads the jury instructions to the jury.
1:21 p.m.: The victim impact statement period concludes. Judge Boyce asks about allocution, or have the defendant speak. Chad chooses not to do that. They move onto the next stage of proceedings. The jury exits the room, so counsel and Judge Boyce can review jury instructions for sentencing. Prosecution has no objection to the jury instructions. Prior however does object to part of the instructions (reasonable doubt, specifically). Judge Boyce hears the objection, but with it previously brought up in the trial, it is overruled.
1:09 p.m.: Another witness is called by the state. Michael Douglas, Tammy's brother, testifies now. He is the oldest of the Douglas family. He began calmly, with his voice breaking shortly into his testimony. Michael knew that something was "off" about Tammy's death, but kept it quiet. He talks about a family service they held for Tammy. Shortly after that service, Michael's mother called to tell him there were two kids missing. Chad and Lori said they were empty nesters. He tries to calm himself, talking about he broke into more pieces than he can count. "Hope was lost," he said as he mentions he started therapy. He didn't sleep for six weeks following the autopsy results. His insurance has soared, as he began to take expensive medication to assist with the guilt. He states he felt like a failure of a big brother. All of his relationships suffered.
1:02 p.m.: Samantha Gwilliam takes the stand to testify about Tammy Daybell. Samantha is Tammy's sister. The two were very close, as we heard in earlier court testimony. She emotionally tells her story, talking about her worse fear - her sister was murdered. She's waited nearly 5 years for peace and justice. Tammy loved being a mom, and a grandma. She was "content and happy" Samantha said. Samantha and Tammy had plans to move next door to each other as they grew old. Samantha calls out defense's arguments that Tammy was fat and lazy. Samantha demands the jury look at her, stating she is the same age Tammy was when she died. Tammy was not fat, nor lazy. "She should be doting on her grandchildren...I will grief for her for the rest of my life," concludes Samantha.
12:53 p.m.: After a longer break than anticipated, court is back in session. Judge Boyce states there is a great deal of administrative matters they have had to take care of. Colby Ryan, Tylee Ryan's brother, takes the stand. He was step brothers with JJ Vallow. He states he lost the ability to watch the two kids grow up. He takes long breaks in between sentences, keeping his composure as best as he can. He lets out an exasperated sigh, full of emotion. Colby talks about how his three children will never get to know Tylee's love or JJ's personality. Tylee always wanted to travel, and have a family of her own - two things she will never have the chance to do. He clears his throat, and begins to talk through a stream of tears. Colby states he has lost his father, Joseph Ryan, his mother, Lori Vallow, and his two siblings, Tylee and JJ. He lost his whole family. He concludes.
12:08 p.m.: The state calls Ben Douglas to testify. He testifies about Tammy Daybell as well, as he is Tammy's youngest brother. He testifies after Kelsee Douglas, a sister-in-law of Tammy's. Ben talks about how just days before his sister died, he welcomed twins into his family. He said his children only know him as a father going through grief. His testimony concludes quickly. Judge Boyce asks if there is another witness, and prosecution asks to approach. In lieu of lunch, they are taking about a 15 minute recess, then will continue with more victim impact statements.
11:54 a.m.: Annie Cushing talks about the brief interactions she had with JJ Vallow, where he was running around the house. He did a "drive-by" hug, running right into her and then immediately running again. Cushing talks about 2020, when she went for a run in New York City. She saw a newspaper with Tylee and JJ's faces on it. As Annie Cushing begins to concludes her testimony, prosecution asks if there can be some tissues put on the witness stand. Prior asks for a sidebar at the same time.
11:41 a.m.: His testimony concludes, and he exits the podium. The state calls their next witness, Annie Cushing. She's Tylee Ryan's aunt. She begins by talking about a phone call she got from Joseph Ryan, Tylee's father and Cushing's brother. Joseph was excited to be a father, ecstatic to welcome Tylee into the family. He often called her "daddy's little girl." Cushing talks about reconnecting with Tylee in 2018, after Joseph Ryan's death. Tylee was smart, with a great singing voice. They talked pop-culture often, explaining the references to Lori Vallow. Tylee was the type to correct her mother over small details, because Tylee wanted the facts to be the lead of each story. Cushing talked about how Tylee was a normal teen, but when Cushing and Tylee were alone, Tylee became "putty", emotional available and vulnerable. Cushing knew Tylee loved New York City, so Cushing offered to pay for Tylee to go there on her 18th birthday.
11:29 a.m.: Kay talks about Tylee and JJ's relationship, very typical of two siblings. They loved each other. Kay concludes her statement and the next witness is called. Matthew Douglas, he's Tammy Daybell's brother. He reads a statement about Tammy. He begins by reading the date Tammy died, stating its when the tragedy began. He talks about being "blindsided" by media information, with law enforcement not being the quickest to tell Matthew and his family details. Matthew talks about how Tammy's death compounded Tammy's mother's health issues, resulting in what Matthew considers an untimely death. He tears up, talking about the connection to JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, mourning their loss as well as the loss of his sister.
11:20 a.m.: Kay tries to compose herself, as her eyes fill with tears. She talks about visiting her brother, Charles, who took over custody of JJ Vallow. She talks about a day where she was cooking with JJ, making gumbo. Kay is from Louisiana, and wanted to bring some taste of home to Charles and JJ. JJ helped out, a memory Kay will hold onto forever. "Its a betrayal that cannot be explained," said Kay. JJ was a smart child, reading at a middle school level at a very young age. Kay now talks about Tylee Ryan.
11:07 a.m.: Ron Douglas takes the stand for his victim impact statement. He is Tammy Daybell's father. He touches on the fact that he no longer has a good relationship with his grandchildren, Tammy and Chad's children. He is open to repairing the relationships, and he is happy to know his daughter is peacefully laid to rest in Utah. Kay Woodcock, JJ Vallow's grandmother, reads her victim impact statement. She speaks highly of JJ, his joy so memorable. He was a premature baby, a fighter his whole life. Kay is the biological grandmother of JJ, her son was his father. The biological parents weren't in a place to take on JJ, so Kay and Larry Woodcock took him home. Kay becomes a bit emotional as she reads. "Cherished little man," Kay calls him.
10:50 a.m.: Prosecutor Rob Wood begins opening statements for the sentencing. It is brief, emphasizing the cruelty of the murders. Court pauses for a moment for a court staff member to change a camera view. Then, defense attorney John Prior takes his opportunity for an opening statement. Prior brings up the amount of husband's that Lori Vallow had, and how she manipulated "small town boy" Chad Daybell. Prior's remarks conclude. The state will not provide any evidence to further prove the aggravating factors, so court will move onto victim impact statements.
10:41 a.m.: Judge Boyce wants to read some additional instructions to the jurors, then court will hear opening statements from both parties. There was an error in the instructions yesterday, so Judge Boyce is rereading the instructions, with the correction.
10:36 a.m.: Judge Boyce calls court to order, and takes up a matter outside the presence of the jury. There was a sealed hearing this morning. Judge Boyce goes through Chad's rights to present mitigation. Defense will not provide mitigation in this sentencing. Chad answers Judge Boyce's questions about if he is thinking clearly and if he made the decision himself. Chad is clear minded, and made the decision himself, despite his attorney preparing for the mitigation. The jury is brought in for the sentencing hearings.
10:29 a.m.: Court has allowed the gallery to enter the courtroom. Court will begin shortly.
10:06 a.m.: Court still has not begun yet, and the gallery has not been allowed into the courtroom yet.
9:19 a.m.: KTVB reporter Abby Davis informs us that court will begin at 10 a.m. due to technical issues in the courtroom.
9:03 a.m.: Court still has not begun, 30 minutes after the scheduled start time of 8:30 a.m.
8:49 a.m.: Court was supposed to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, however, it still hasn't begun at nearly 9 a.m.
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