BOISE, Idaho — The defense has rested in the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell. Lori Vallow Daybell is charged with two counts of 1st-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft in relation to the deaths of her two children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan.
The defense stated after deliberating in private with Lori that they do not believe the state has proven its case and therefore do not believe they need to present one of their own. Archibald says, “We don’t believe the state has proved its case so the defense will rest.”
The defense faced a barrage of evidence and witness testimony brought by the prosecution. (Five) weeks of testimony that ranged from dozens of law enforcement officers to DNA experts and coroners. Prosecutors presented DNA evidence recovered from JJ’s remains, a strand of Lori’s hair was stuck to duct tape that was used to secure a plastic bag around JJ.
Special Agent with the FBI Doug Hart also testified using an exhibit the defense strongly objected to, which showed the contents of Lori’s iCloud account. Hundreds of thousands of text messages sent between Lori and Chad, among others. Hart highlighted several messages between Chad and Lori that discussed the “percentage of life left” in people, including Tammy Daybell and JJ Vallow. One message from Lori even shows her asking why the number for both Tammy and JJ weren’t at zero yet, when Chad told her they were at a 2 and 3 respectively.
The defense became testy with one witness, Audrey Barattiero, who was once friends with Chad and Lori. Audrey testified that after becoming uncomfortable during a “casting” session in which Lori and others were working to expel a demon from Tammy Daybell, she told Lori that she was heading to bed early when Lori became angry with her and threatened to kill her. Audrey testified that Lori said she would cut her up and hide her body where no one would ever find her. The defense became frustrated with Audrey, pushing back on this testimony since it did not match what she had originally testified to in the grand jury.
The defense has rested and now the court will hear closing arguments from both sides before the jury will deliberate, and ultimately decide the fate of Lori Vallow Daybell. Judge Boyce has announced that there will be no court tomorrow, Wednesday May, 10, and the court will hear closing arguments.
CBS2 and Idahonews.com will continue to cover the trial.
You can also follow @KerndlAngela on Twitter for updates from what’s happening in the courtroom.
