An Idaho jury has found Lori Vallow Daybell guilty on all counts, including two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
The jury came to the unanimous decision after more than eight hours of deliberation over two days. Their duty was to decide beyond a reasonable doubt whether Vallow Daybell "engaged in conduct, or did aid, abet, advise, counsel, or procure another to engage in conduct which caused the death of" her two youngest children, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old "J.J." Vallow, and her fifth husband Chad Daybell's previous wife, Tammy Daybell.
Vallow Daybell had pleaded not guilty to all charges against her, including grand theft by deception for allegedly pocketing her children’s Social Security benefits after their deaths.
In a joint statement, Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood and Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake said they were pleased with the verdict but declined to discuss the case further given the pending case against Chad Daybell.
Over the course of the five-week trial, prosecutors aimed to prove the so-called 'Doomsday Cult Mom' and her husband planned the killings after meeting at a conference in October 2018. An indictment accused them of espousing religious beliefs to justify the September 2019 murders of the two children and the October 2019 murder of Tammy Daybell.
The prosecution called 59 witnesses to the stand to testify about the brutal murders, and the defense called zero.
During closing arguments, defense attorney Jim Archibald contended the state fell short of proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt. He described his client as a devoted mother who had fallen victim to Chad Daybell, who he claimed was the mastermind behind the murders.
Judge Steven Boyce said Vallow Daybell will likely be sentenced in three months. Ahead of the trial, a judge granted her lawyer's request to take the death penalty off the table. However, it is still on the table for Chad Daybell's case, which was proposed to begin in June 2024. He has also pleaded not guilty to all charges.
