PHOENIX, Ariz. — Lori Vallow Daybell, the woman convicted in the high-profile murders of her two children in Idaho, is now standing trial in Arizona, accused of conspiring to kill her former husband, Charles Vallow. This marks the sixth day of proceedings in the Maricopa County courtroom, where Vallow Daybell is acting as her own attorney.
Previously sentenced to multiple life terms for the deaths of her children, Joshua “JJ” Vallow and Tylee Ryan, Vallow Daybell now faces separate charges tied to her husband’s 2019 death in Chandler, Arizona.
On Monday, prosecutors called several witnesses, including a medical examiner, a Social Security investigator, and an insurance official who had informed Vallow Daybell that she was removed as a beneficiary on a policy. Additional testimony came from a forensic firearm expert and a detective who responded to the scene of the shooting.
Before testimony resumed Tuesday, Deputy Maricopa County Attorney Treena Kay raised concerns over Vallow Daybell allegedly violating a victim’s rights by directly subpoenaing a family member of the deceased. Kay noted that Vallow Daybell should not have had access to the relative’s personal contact information. Judge Justin Beresky reminded her that subpoenas must be coordinated through the County Attorney’s Office. Although Vallow Daybell said the action was an unintentional oversight, the judge cautioned her to be more careful in future filings.
Testimony from Chandler Police Detective Resumes
Detective Cassandra Ynclan of the Chandler Police Department returned to the witness stand, continuing cross-examination from the previous day. Vallow Daybell fixated on Ynclan’s descriptions of her behavior at the crime scene and questioned whether adrenaline could have made her appear calm or thirsty. Ynclan again characterized Vallow Daybell’s demeanor as surprisingly ordinary, though admitted she lacked personal experience in similar situations.
Following a brief redirect by the prosecution, the jury had an opportunity to ask Ynclan questions before she was excused.
Cellphone Evidence Highlights Timeline Discrepancies
After a short recess, Detective Ariel Werther, a Chandler Police officer specializing in cellphone and GPS analysis, took the stand. Werther discussed evidence collected from Charles Vallow’s phone and pieced together a timeline of events surrounding the morning of the shooting on July 11, 2019.
Werther testified that surveillance footage and cell data show Vallow Daybell visiting a Burger King drive-thru around 7:54 a.m., roughly 40 minutes before the 911 call was made. He stated that the timing and travel involved raised red flags about when the shooting actually occurred.
The presentation of evidence also included surveillance video showing Vallow Daybell at a Walgreens around 8:17 a.m., where she purchased flip-flops. Location data indicated she dropped off her son JJ at school just minutes before her brother, Alex Cox, called 911 at 8:35 a.m. Vallow Daybell appeared on police bodycam at the scene at approximately 8:49 a.m., alongside her daughter, Tylee.
According to Werther, the evidence suggested one of two possibilities: either the shooting happened earlier than reported, or Vallow Daybell wasn’t present at the time.
Vallow Daybell, during her cross-examination, primarily asked about details found in the hotel room and on Charles Vallow’s phone. Many of her questions drew objections from the prosecution, which Judge Beresky sustained.
Due to an ill witness, court adjourned early. The trial is expected to resume at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
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