Share this @internewscast.com

BOISE, Idaho — The trial of a man charged with the deaths of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children is set to begin in Idaho this week, serving as a second act in a bizarre case that has drawn worldwide attention and already resulted in a life sentence for the mother of the children.

Chad Daybell’s trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks, with jury selection scheduled to get underway in Boise on Monday. The 55-year-old self-published author is charged with three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Tammy Daybell, 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and JJ’s big sister, Tylee Ryan, who was last seen a few days before her 17th birthday.

The younger children’s mother, Lori Vallow Daybell — who married Chad Daybell shortly after the deaths — was found guilty last year and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The couple claimed they could tell if people had been possessed by dark spirits that could turn them into “zombies,” former friend Melanie Gibb testified in court. They believed the only way to get rid of a zombie was to destroy the possessed person’s body by killing them.

The children’s bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell’s eastern Idaho yard in the summer of 2020.

Chad Daybell also is charged with insurance fraud in connection with Tammy Daybell’s death and two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception in the children’s deaths.

If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Daybell has pleaded not guilty. Last week, his attorney John Prior told KIVI-TV in Boise that Daybell is ready to go forward with the case and “wants to tell his story.”

Two days later, 7th District Judge Steven Boyce issued a gag order barring any of the attorneys or parties in the case from talking about it until after jury selection and opening statements.

Chad and Lori Daybell originally were scheduled to stand trial together, but in 2022 Prior asked the court to split the cases, saying the co-defendants will have “mutually antagonistic defenses.” The legal term generally means a jury would have to disbelieve one defendant in order to believe the other.

“Our version of the facts of this case will differ greatly from what Ms. Vallow and her legal counsel are going to be presenting,” Prior told the judge, who later agreed to split the cases.

The grim case began in the fall of 2019, after extended family members noticed Lori Vallow’s two youngest kids seemingly had disappeared and prodded law enforcement to launch a search. The subsequent months-long investigation spanned several states and took several grim and unexpected turns.

Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were having an affair when both of their spouses died unexpectedly, investigators learned. Vallow’s husband was shot to death by her brother in Arizona in July 2019 and the brother told police it was in self-defense.

Tammy Daybell died in her sleep in November 2019, the untimely death first chalked up to natural causes but later determined to be from asphyxiation, according to an autopsy. Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell married just two weeks after Tammy Daybell died, surprising family members and authorities.

The couple’s friends later told detectives that the pair also held unusual religious beliefs, including that they had been reincarnated and were tasked with gathering people before a biblical apocalypse.

Lori Vallow Daybell referred to her two youngest kids as zombies before they vanished in September 2019, Gibb testified.

Prosecutors say Lori and Chad Daybell espoused those doomsday-focused beliefs to justify the deaths of her kids and his wife, but it was all part of a scheme to eliminate any obstacles to their relationship and to obtain money from survivor benefits and life insurance.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Sea & Sky Air Show powers through impacts from government shutdown, windy conditions

Sea & Sky Air Show Triumphs Over Government Shutdown and Challenging Winds

The Sea and Sky Air Show at Jacksonville Beach wrapped up earlier…
Multiple people shot at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in Chester County: DA

Shooting Incident Reported at Lincoln University in Chester County: District Attorney Provides Update

Authorities have reported that multiple individuals were injured in a shooting incident…
Clifford Proctor, LAPD officer at one time, charged with murder in 2015 Venice shooting of unarmed homeless man Brendan Glenn

Former LAPD Officer Faces Murder Charges in 2015 Shooting of Unarmed Homeless Man in Venice

LOS ANGELES — A former Los Angeles police officer has been indicted…
The Beatles' Ringo Starr, 85, on reuniting with Paul McCartney, the mantra he lives by and what he said to Prince William

Ringo Starr, 85, Shares Insights on Reuniting with Paul McCartney, His Life’s Mantra, and a Memorable Exchange with Prince William

LOS ANGELES — Ringo Starr, the iconic drummer of The Beatles, is…
Exclusive -- Trump-Endorsed Massie Challenger Ed Gallrein: Massie 'Not a Statesman'

Trump-Backed Ed Gallrein Criticizes Incumbent Massie, Labels Him as Lacking Statesmanship

During a recent appearance on News Saturday, Ed Gallrein, a seasoned farmer…
Nearly 80K sauna blankets recalled after dozens of burn injuries reported

Urgent Recall Alert: Over 80,000 Sauna Blankets Recalled Due to Burn Injury Risks

In an important safety notice, Lifepro Fitness has announced the recall of…
Warfare expert calls Gaza rebuilding plan 'Disneyland strategy' to defeat Hamas

Warfare Expert Criticizes Gaza Rebuilding Strategy as ‘Disneyland Approach’ in Hamas Conflict Resolution

As the tenuous ceasefire in Gaza holds steady, a novel proposal to…
Trump’s $230M DOJ settlement bid likely has few legal backstops

Trump’s $230M DOJ Settlement Proposal Faces Legal Hurdles, Experts Say

Former President Donald Trump is pursuing a substantial compensation claim, potentially amounting…
Chicago volunteers collecting food at El Pollo Cris Cris on SW Side for those in need amid high prices, looming SNAP benefits halt

Local Volunteers Rally at El Pollo Cris Cris to Support Families Facing Rising Costs and SNAP Uncertainty

CHICAGO — As inflation continues to push prices skyward, many families are…
Chicago CTA riders deal with weekend work halting trains on elevated Loop tracks on Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines

Weekend CTA Maintenance Disrupts Brown, Green, Orange, and Pink Line Services in Chicago’s Loop

In an unexpected twist for many Chicago commuters, the CTA announced a…
Chicago immigration activity: Federal agents detain worker in Old Irving Park, appear to use tear gas; fear disrupts local parade

Federal Agents Detain Worker in Old Irving Park, Tear Gas Suspected; Local Parade Plunged into Chaos in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Saturday, federal agents were once again active on…
Lewis Hamilton mourns beloved dog ahead of Mexico's Day of the Dead

Lewis Hamilton Honors Late Dog During Mexico’s Day of the Dead Remembrance

MEXICO CITY, Oct 23 – Lewis Hamilton has shared how the recent…