Opening statements for the Chad Daybell murder trial will begin on Wednesday in an Ada County Courtroom. Daybell could face the death penalty, as the case will unfold more over the next 8-10 weeks.
EastIdahoNews.com reports the lawyers in the case made the final jury selection on Monday. There are 18 jury members (including 6 alternates). The jury consists of eight women and 10 men, according to Local News 8.
Jurors were questioned by District Judge Steven Boyce, along with members of the prosecution team: Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake, Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood, Special Attorney General Prosecutor Ingrid Batey and Fremont County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rocky Wixom. Defense attorney John Prior also questioned the jurors.
Chad Daybell is accused of murdering his first wife, Tammy Daybell. He’s also accused of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of his current wife, Lori Vallow’s, children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua “JJ” Vallow.
Vallow’s children disappeared in September of 2019. Their remains were found in Daybell’s Fremont County home backyard in June 2020. Daybell and Vallow Daybell.
A jury found Vallow Daybell guilty last year of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. She is serving three life sentences in Idaho. However, she was transferred to Arizona to face charges of conspiracy to commit murder. Daybell could face the death penalty, as he has previously pleaded not guilty on the above charges.
BYU-Idaho Radio will keep you updated on the case on KBYI 94.3 FM during our news hours. EastIdahoNews.com will stream the trial starting at 8:30 a.m. on its YouTube channel, along with written updates on its website.