Chad Daybell trial live: New witness casts doubts on cult prophet’s son’s story about mom’s death
Chad Daybell’s trial began on April 1, about a year after Lori Vallow was convicted in the 2019 murders of Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow, and Tammy Daybell
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
A new rebuttal witness for the prosecution testified that Chad Daybell’s son Garth had told him how he found his dead mother Tammy Daybell, which is different from what Garth told the court at his father’s triple murder trial earlier this week.
Shortly after the defense rested on Thursday, Jason Abegelen, who worked with Garth at a haunted house, recalled that Garth told him how he found his mother dead in the bedroom and that his father was not there.
But Garth had testified that in the early morning hours of October 19, 2019, his father woke him up to help after finding the mother-of-five dead and halfway off the bed on the floor, tangled up in sheets.
Daybell, 55, is on trial for the death of Tammy, and the murders of Lori Vallow’s two children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and JJ Vallow, seven. Two weeks after Tammy’s death, Daybell and Vallow married on a beach in Hawaii.
It was only after the children were reported missing – and authorities began delving into the couple’s bizarre cult beliefs – that questions were asked about Tammy’s death and her body was exhumed for an autopsy. It was determined she had died of asphyxia and Daybell was charged with her murder, as well as the murders of Vallow’s children, who were found buried in Daybell’s Idaho backyard nine months after they went missing.
Prosecutors say Daybell and Vallow justified the three killings by creating an apocalyptic belief system, which was part of an elaborate scheme to eliminate any obstacles from their life.
But Daybell’s attorney claims he was manipulated by Vallow, who was convicted of the murders last year and received three life sentences.
Like Vallow, Daybell did not testify in his defense.
Closing arguments are expected to be next week and then the case will be in the hands of the jury.
If convicted, Daybell faces the death penalty or life in prison.
Chad Daybell trial: Testimony turns graphic as jury hears Lori Vallow’s name for his penis
Family, friends gather to honor Lori Vallow’s slain children Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow
Chad Daybell appears to choke up as 911 call from wife’s death played in ‘cult prophet’ murder trial
He’s accused of killing their mother but Chad Daybell’s children will take the stand in their father’s defence
Defense has two more witnesses set to testify today
Defense attorney John Prior told the court he has two more witnesses who are set to testify today.
He did not name the witnesses.
Court is on break and will resume when the first witness arrives.
The second witness is set to take the stand after lunch.
Defense appears to call Tammy Daybell’s death a ‘murder’
While questioning forensic pathologist Dr Kathy Raven, defense attorney John Prior called Tammy Daybell’s death a murder.
The defense has been arguing that Tammy’s death was a result of her history of illness, relying noting testimony from her children who say she was often sick.
At one point in the redirect, Prior asks Raven: “Is that an example of confirmation bias when you take into account all of these other reports and statements of people who are not present at the murder?”
Several spectators invested in the trial took to X, previously Twitter, to point out the snafu.
Dr Raven says she is board certified in anatomic, clinical, and forensic pathology and has worked in the area of forensic pathology for over 19 years. She said she would call Tammy’s death “undetermined.”
John Prior says "not present at the MURDER." Slip of the tongue?? #chaddaybell pic.twitter.com/xLPU6xLtaA
— The Docket (@ChasingPaper89) May 21, 2024
Court breaks for lunch
Court is on break for lunch until 12:30pm ET.
Defense is still expected to call two more witnesses today.
Court resumes with new witness
Court is back after lunch.
The defense has called the next witness to the stand.
Asmir Kararic is an investigator with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office.
Defense will continue with a new witness on Wednesday
Court has ended for the day.
The defense will continue with a new witness on Wednesday at 10:30am ET / 8:30am MT.
Today, the court heard from Dr Kathy Raven, who is board certified in anatomic, clinical, and forensic pathology and has worked in the area of forensic pathology for over 19 years.
The court also heard from Asmir Kararic, who is an investigator with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, as well as retired Rexburg Police Detective Rick Schmitt.
WATCH: Tammy’s cause of death should be 'undetermined’
RECAP: Chad Daybell’s defense calls on his children to testify
ICYMI: Chad Daybell is accused of killing a mother of five. Her children took the stand in his defense
Two of Chad and Tammy Daybell’s adult children testified that their mother’s health had been deteriorating months leading up to her death.
It was in defense of their father who has been accused of murdering her.
Andrea Cavallier reports:
Chad Daybell is accused of killing their mom but they took the stand in his defense
Two of Chad and Tammy Daybell’s adult children testified that their mother’s health had been deteriorating months leading up to her death, as part of the defense for their father who has been accused of murdering her. Andrea Cavallier reports
Digital forensics examiner Patrick Eller on the stand
The defense has called Patrick Eller to the witness stand.
He is the CEO of Metadata Forensic and a digital forensics examiner.
Defense attorney arrives at court
Chad Daybell’s defense attorney John Prior is seen walking into court in Boise, Idaho on Wednesday morning.
The defense will continue its fight today.
John Prior is in the building #chaddaybell pic.twitter.com/wKJQLXfPHt
— Pretty Lies & Alibis🎙 (@PrettyLiesAlibi) May 22, 2024