Judge rules Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell’s cases can be combined

The attorney claims that if the couple’s trials run together, it will increase media coverage and make it harder to find an impartial jury

Chad Daybell, left, sits next to his defense attorney, John Prior, during his preliminary... — FILE — Aug. 3, 2020 photo: Chad Daybell, left, sits next to his defense attorney, John Prior, during his preliminary hearing Monday morning in a Fremont County Courtroom. On Thursday, Judge Steven Boyce ruled to join both Chad Daybell and his wife’s Lori Vallow Daybell’s cases together.(Pool camera)

Published: Oct. 29, 2020 at 1:40 PM MDT

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) -Judge Steven Boyce ruled to join both Chad Daybell and his wife’s Lori Vallow Daybell’s cases together Thursday morning.

Special prosecutor Rob Wood requested the trials be combined for efficiency as he plans to use the same evidence and witnesses.

Daybell’s attorney John Prior objected to having the trials together. The attorney claims that if the couple’s trials run together, it will increase media coverage and make it harder to find an impartial jury.

Wood asked the judge before his ruling to take into consideration the family members of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and the effects that two trials would have on them.