Jury selection continues for third day in Daybell’s death penalty trial
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Potential jurors gathered for a third day of selection in the death penalty trial of 55-year-old Chad Daybell at the Ada County Courthouse.
The first two days yielded at least 20 potential jurors being selected, however there are still another 30 at a minimum that are needed for a total of 50 before the defense and the prosecution can begin to strike jurors up to a total of 16.
The goal is to achieve 18 jurors - 12 jurors and six alternates. All 18 jurors will be empaneled for the entire trial. The alternates will find out they are alternates closer to deliberation.
Daybell, who lived in Rexburg at the time, is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of his former wife Tammy Daybell in October of 2019.
And the death of Tylee Ryan and J.J. Vallow, who were Lori Vallow Daybell’s children. Their bodies were discovered buried on Chad Daybell’s property outside of Rexburg in June of 2020 after a nationwide search.
Chad and Lori got married days after Tammy Daybell was found dead in bed by Chad at their home. Her death was initially ruled as death by natural causes, and she was buried just days later.
After the discovery of the remains of Tylee and J.J. were discovered buried on Daybell’s property, Tammy’s body was exhumed, and a toxicology report was ordered, and her death was then ruled as suspicious.
Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty last year on all charges and sentenced to multiple life sentences. She was extradited to Arizona where she will face more charges in the death of her previous husband, Charles Vallow, and the attempted killing of her Niece’s husband.
Lawyers on both sides and Judge Boyce have all said that the process of selecting a jury for a death penalty case will be in-depth and time-consuming. Potential jurors have already filled out questionnaires ahead of time in hopes of speeding up the process.
Judge Boyce stated Wednesday that once the trial gets underway, he expects it to last eight to ten weeks and wrap up around June 15.
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