BOISE, Idaho — Family friends and coworkers testified on Friday, April 26, about Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell's first wife who died in October of 2019.
Friends of the family, as well as the principal for the school Tammy Daybell worked at, testified on Friday, recounting memories of a healthy Tammy Daybell. Richard Garner, the principal, even had a vivid recollection of Tammy and her daughter Emma crossing the line together at a 5K running event.
The court also heard testimony from the Arnold's, both Ron and his wife Whitney. Ron Arnold works as a real estate broker, who was helping the Daybell's split up their property prior to Tammy's death.
It was during Ron Arnold's testimony that a comment was made that the jury had to strike from the record. While being cross examined by defense attorney John Prior, Prior asked Arnold how many acres the Daybell property is. Arnold responded with, "I don't know, you're the one who owns it," revealing to the court that Daybell had given Prior the property, most likely as collateral.
Court on Friday wrapped up early, adjourning before lunch. There is no court on Tuesday of this week.
On Thursday, April 25, there were two witnesses called to the stand, with one taking a majority of the day. The court started by recalling Vincent Kaaiakamanu, who served as a detective on the case. His testimony took most of the day.
Wednesday saw six witnesses take the stand in the Chad Daybell trial. Their ties to the accused murderer seemed outlandish at first, but prosecution had a plan. They were arguing that Tammy Daybell, Chad's first wife, was by all means healthy before her untimely death in October of 2019.
There was also an evidentiary motion hearing after court hours on Wednesday, with Judge Steven Boyce hearing both sides of the argument. He provided his rulings on Thursday morning, before the jury was brought in.
Tuesday, however, was the first day Chad Daybell was visibly emotional in court, as the testimony and images from Officer Alyssa Gerenhalgh showed Tammy Daybell deceased, with pinkish foam coming from her mouth. Chad Daybell appeared to cry a bit upon this testimony, showing some semblance of care for her.
The trial is expected to last another three to five weeks.
Live Updates:
1:23 p.m.: John Prior brings up the cell phone records of Tammy, and how there were no correspondence between Tammy and Patricia Later. Later, the witness, argues and says that's incorrect. She states the two would talk via Facebook messaging. Cross examination wraps up quickly. There is no redirect, but the state may recall her later. Before the next witness is called, prosecution asks to approach Judge Boyce. They have a sidebar. Today has moved a bit quicker than expected, per prosecution, so they are asking to adjourn for the day. Court is off tomorrow, Tuesday, so prosecution would like to take things up on Wednesday morning.
1:20 p.m.: Patricia Later testifies further that Chad Daybell's behavior at the funeral was a bit off, with Later believing that the family had to be careful with their behavior due to Chad. The witness also testifies about how when she went to Tammy Daybell's house, and Chad was there, she always had a feeling it was time to leave. There was no particular reason why, she just felt out of place with Chad present. That wraps up direct examination, and cross examination begins.
1:11 p.m.: Upon hearing the news of Tammy's passing, Later said "it just didn't make any sense". When family had called Later to inform her of Tammy's passing, she had to ask "who" several times, because she couldn't believe it was Tammy. Later remains emotional on the stand.
1:03 p.m.: The state calls their next witness, Patricia Later. She lives in Spanish Fork, Utah, which is just south of Springville, Utah, where the Daybell's lived for several years before moving to Idaho. Later is Tammy's first cousin, born just seven months apart. She immediately begins crying after a few questions. The two women were very close. Patricia Later discusses the closeness that she and Tammy had when young - they went on double dates together, spent weekends together, etc. As adults, they worked together at the same elementary school in Springville, Utah - remaining close.
12:58 p.m.: Direct examination wraps up quickly and cross examination begins. John Prior asks if Munoz ever went to the police with the information, and then quickly changes to ask if Munoz met with prosecution. Munoz states she has met with Rocky Wixom a few times in the course of this trial, but has no relationship with him outside of her testimony preparation. He asks a few more questions before wrapping up. The witness is dismissed, and will not be called again from either party.
12:52 p.m.: Munoz went through the viewing line at Tammy Daybell's funeral twice. Chad Daybell was also in the viewing line that day, alongside his and Tammy's children. Chad was standing near her head, with the children near her feet. Munoz and her father had a conversation with Chad Daybell, asking what happened to Tammy Daybell. Chad said she had been sick that day, vomiting and coughing. He claims he went to bed around 1 a.m. the night Tammy died. He said he found her dead about that time, which doesn't match with 911 calls. Later in the evening of Tammy's funeral, he told other attendees another story, different than the one Chad told Munoz.
12:46 p.m.: The jurors are brought back into the courtroom following lunch break. The next witness is brought in. Rocky Wixom, from prosecution, takes the podium. Hannah Parker takes the stand, but she goes by the last name Munoz. She's a freelance photographer, who is related to Tammy Daybell. Hannah Munoz is Tammy's second cousin.
11:26 a.m.: Re-cross examination will not take place, as Agent Ballance is excused from the stand. He will most likely be recalled by the state at a later date. They turn off the cameras to hide Agent Ballance's identity. They took a quick sidebar, to discuss scheduling. They will take a lunch break starting at 11:30 and will return at 12:45 p.m.
11:15 a.m.: Prior asks why Agent Ballance did not look into David Warwick or Melani Gibb, both of which were at Alex Cox's house on the same date in question, September 9, 2019. Cross examination wraps up, and Rob Wood of prosecution gets up to redirect examine the witness. He says it will be brief.
10:50 a.m.: Based on the data retrieved from the phones, Agent Ballance has been able to identify date and time of people coming and going on to the Daybell property. Cross examination begins. John Prior begins to ask about location data of Alex Cox's phone, as well as Lori Vallow's. There is a short side bar, before Prior continues. During sidebar, they removed the exhibit from the screen, but had to put it back up to refresh the witness's memory of the dates involved.
10:21 a.m.: The jury is brought back in after morning break. Agent Ballance is still on the stand at this time, still discussing cell phone data. The court cannot show the witness, due to his work. Agent Ballance testifies a great deal on cell towers, and how Chad Daybell's phone was interacting with the cell towers. Agent Ballance also talks about texts and calls from Lori Vallow and Alex Cox.
9:48 a.m.: Morning recess takes place, court will be back in roughly 20 minutes.
9:16 a.m.: John Prior, defense attorney, asks for a sidebar before some evidence is admitted to the court. The evidence being admitted is a report done by Agent Ballance regarding cell phone data and methodology of finding data. Agent Ballance testifies further about cell phone data.
8:44 a.m.: The witness has taken the stand but before direct examination happens, prosecutor Rob Wood wants to admit evidence in regard to phone and computer data. The witness will be testifying in regard to that data, so the court wants to admit evidence before witness testimony.
The state calls Nicholas Ballance, a special agent with the FBI. Agent Ballance has worked with the FBI since 2016, he was previously a U.S. Marshall before joining the FBI. He's part of a special unit, a cellular analysis program. He was with this special unit during the Daybell investigation. They are not showing Agent Ballance on the live stream.
8:39 a.m.: Court is called to session. The jury is brought in, all 18 are present. There appears to be some technical issues with the live stream this morning, with cameras not turned on. The state will call their next witness, which expected to be a long testimony, according to prosecution.
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