BOISE, Idaho – The trial of Chad Daybell, the husband of “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow, is set to begin today in Ada County Courthouse. Daybell, a 55-year-old doomsday author and father-of-five, is facing charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and grand theft related to the deaths of his first wife Tammy Daybell, and Vallow’s children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua “JJ” Vallow.
In September 2019, Tylee and JJ went missing, and the following month, Tammy died suddenly. It was not until June 2020 that their remains were discovered in a pet cemetery on Daybell’s property. Last year, Vallow was convicted of all charges and sentenced to life in prison. The trial revealed the involvement of Daybell and Vallow’s late brother Alex Cox, driven by their peculiar cult beliefs.
Today, jury selection will take place as Daybell faces the possibility of the death penalty or life in prison if convicted. The potential jurors will be asked about their ability to serve impartially and their stance on the death penalty. The trial is expected to last 8-10 weeks, and the final jury will consist of 12 individuals, along with four alternates.