Lori Vallow Daybell, often referred to as the “Doomsday Mom,” is creating considerable disruption in the courtroom during her murder conspiracy trial. Representing herself, she has engaged in contentious exchanges with witnesses and family members.
Prosecutors allege that Vallow Daybell conspired with her deceased brother, Alex Cox, to orchestrate the murder of her former husband, Charles Vallow. The alleged motive was financial gain – a $1 million life insurance policy – and subsequent marriage to Chad Daybell in 2019.
This trial follows convictions and life sentences for both Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell stemming from the 2019 murders of Joshua “JJ” Vallow (7) and Tylee Ryan (16), Lori’s two youngest children, as well as the death of Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, a particularly heated exchange occurred between Vallow Daybell and witness Nancy Jo Hancock, who had accompanied Charles Vallow on a dinner date just hours before his death.
“Would you have gone out on a date with him if he would have said he was still married?” Vallow Daybell questioned. “If I would have realized how married he still was, maybe not,” Hancock replied. “But I just met for dinner. I wasn’t sleeping with him or anything.”
The conversation grew more intense as Vallow Daybell pressed further, asking, “Do you go on dates with married men, naturally?” The prosecution objected to the question’s argumentative nature.
Later in the examination, Vallow Daybell inquired whether Hancock was aware that Charles Vallow was active on dating websites. This line of questioning was challenged and ultimately disallowed by the judge.
The trial also included testimony from Adam Cox, Lori Vallow Daybell’s brother. He stated he traveled to Phoenix prior to Charles’ death to assist in a purported intervention. During his cross-examination, Vallow Daybell strategically limited her questions, seemingly attempting to demonstrate a lack of recent interaction with her brother.
“Last time I remember our communications was you and I were speaking in the kitchen, when the family was over,” Cox stated. “So you think that was that time in 2018?” Vallow Daybell responded. “I think so,” Cox confirmed.
Vallow Daybell described her decision to represent herself as a product of five years of intense preparation, claiming she understands the case better than any attorney could learn it within two years. She expressed concern about prolonged incarceration for individuals caught in family tragedies, stating, “There are intelligent, strong, beautiful women in here that have been here for eight years because of family tragedies… It’s the same, like my case, a family tragedy, not crime.”
The circumstances surrounding Charles Vallow’s death remain complex. His daughter, Tylee Ryan, reportedly confronted him with a baseball bat after hearing sounds of distress within the house. According to reports, Charles attempted to take the bat from her, and Cox claimed he fired his weapon in self-defense during this encounter. Cox was never charged in connection with Vallow’s death and later died of natural causes.
Vallow Daybell faces a potential life sentence if convicted and is also scheduled for another trial in May regarding allegations of plotting to kill her niece’s ex-husband.
- Prosecutors accuse Vallow Daybell of conspiring with Alex Cox to murder Charles Vallow.
- The motive was allegedly financial gain and subsequent marriage to Chad Daybell.
- Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell were previously convicted of murdering Joshua “JJ” Vallow, Tylee Ryan, and Tammy Daybell.
- Cox claimed he acted in self-defense during an altercation with Charles Vallow before his own death.
