BOISE, Idaho — The opening statements were delivered in Chad Daybell's trial on Wednesday, marking the start to a lengthy death penalty trial.
Chad Daybell is accused of three counts of first degree murder for the deaths of his wife Tammy Daybell, and Lori Vallow's two children Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow. If convicted, prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty.
Daybell's trial is expected to last roughly eight to 10 weeks, with the first week solely being jury selection. After a rigorous process of elimination, the court went from 57 potential jurors down to 18, consisting of 10 men and eight women.
In the first day that the jury heard from the court, they heard opening statements from both prosecution and defense, and they heard witness testimony from state witness Detective Ray Hermosillo, who is a Rexburg Police Department employee.
Witness testimony lasted most of the day, with Det. Hermosillo discussing the details of how Rexburg PD got involved with Daybell and Lori Vallow, and how the investigation began.
Det. Hermosillo also testified about finding human appearing remains on Daybell's property, which was later identified as JJ Vallow.
On Thursday, the court heard more from Det. Hermosillo, as he was again the sole witness called. Prosecution finished their witness examination, defense cross examined.
Judge Steven Boyce announced Wednesday that there will be no court on Friday, and ended court Thursday after Det. Hermosillo's testimony to allow the state to have a full day of witness testimony when court readjourns on Monday.
Live Updates:
2:24 p.m.: The jury is excused, and Judge Boyce takes up some matters regarding exhibits being admitted into evidence. Court will be back Monday at 8:30 a.m.
2:22 p.m.: Judge Boyce discusses the scheduling of the trial. Judge Boyce concludes court for the day, allowing the state to have a full day of witness testimony on Monday. Judge Boyce heavily emphasizes to the jury that they are not to look up the case or discuss the case with others.
2:13 p.m.: The court releases Hermosillo as a witness, as Judge Boyce reminds him that he is still under subpoena and may be called again.
2:08 p.m.: Prosecution finalizes redirect, and defense begins a cross examination, questioning testimony of Hermosillo.
2:04 p.m.: Prosecution brings up Alex Cox's search history regarding shooting. Tammy Daybell died 10 days after the incident with the paintball gun incident. Hermosillo testifies that he believes that it was not just a paintball gun. Hermosillo believes that Alex Cox was attached to this events, as well as Chad Daybell.
1:57 p.m.: Defense cross examination has concluded. Prosecution now has the floor for redirect.
1:34 p.m.: Defense attorney John Prior brings up Alex Cox's possessions, found in the apartment that Alex and Lori Vallow shared in 2019. Alex Cox is Lori Vallow's brother. Within the apartment that Vallow and Cox shared, there were guns, ammunition, knives and a ski mask in Cox's room.
1:19 p.m.: Court is called back into session. Prior continues with cross examination. All jury members are present and being seated.
12:10 p.m.: Court is in recess for lunch, and will return at roughly 1:15 p.m. with more cross examination of Hermosillo taking place.
12:08 p.m.: Prior brings up Alex Cox's search history. There were searches for "how to shoot through a Dodge Dakota," which was the type of car that Chad and Tammy Daybell owned. Prior states that Chad Daybell was the primary driver of that car.
12:03 p.m.: Prior has Hermosillo read a text message from Tammy Daybell to her church ward members. The text talks about a man approaching her in her driveway with what appeared to be a paintball gun. She texted the church members to warn them of the odd event. Wood objects due to Prior misspeaking and calling the texts an email.
11:56 a.m.: Prosecuting attorney Rob Wood objects to a line of questioning about Chad Daybell not providing Lori Vallow's phone number to police while they were investigating JJ's welfare. Wood claims that defense is misstating the facts. Hermosillo said he had to ask Daybell twice for the phone number.
11:52 a.m.: Defense is asking Hermosillo questions, asking about why he was not wearing a body cam while investigating Chad Daybell.
11:42 a.m.: Defense now begins cross examination of Det. Hermosillo.
11:37 a.m.: Jury has been brought back into the court room, all are present. Exhibit 31 has been entered into the court, however it comes with limiting instructions for the jurors.
11:28 a.m.: Judge Boyce is back from his investigation into admittance of Hermosillo's timeline to the court. Judge Boyce brings up a objection before bringing jury back into court.
11:00 a.m.: Hermosillo has made a timeline of the case that prosecution would like admitted into court. There is a sidebar regarding the timeline, exhibit 31. After sidebar, Judge Boyce comes back and excuses the jury so he can review the timeline privately. He will come back shortly with a decision.
10:51 a.m.: Hermosillo is testifying about Charles Vallow, Lori's deceased husband, and Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell's deceased wife. John Prior asks for a sidebar during this line of questioning.
10:43 a.m.: Hermosillo discusses how Fremont County and Madison County, where Rexburg is located, worked together to investigate both Tammy Daybell's case and the case of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan.
10:32 a.m.: Court is back from recess, jurors are being brought back into the courtroom.
10:00 a.m.: Morning recess is taking place, court will be back in 20 minutes.
9:57 a.m.: Hermosillo describes the autopsy of JJ Vallow. Though he did not do the autopsy, he was present. The witness describes many layers of duct tape on various parts of his body, including his wrists and ankles. He had black Sketcher socks on his feet, and a nighttime diaper on. Photos are not being shown to the public.
9:44 a.m.: Hermosillo describes the autopsy of Tylee Ryan. Defense attorney John Prior objects one line of questioning.
9:38 a.m.: A short sidebar takes place with counsel and Judge Boyce.
9:34 a.m.: Public viewing of certain exhibits has been barred by the court. Judge Boyce believes these images to be quite graphic, and due to the livestream, will not be displaying some evidence on the stream. The witness has a monitor displaying the exhibit, and verbally describes it.
9:19 a.m.: Hermosillo testifies regarding what appeared to be Tylee's body. He describes law enforcement officers digging on their hands and knees, taking turns due to the powerful smell in the area.
9:11 a.m.: Hermosillo describes finding what appeared to be JJ's body. There was wet soil underneath a small grave, where they found a small body matching JJ's description. The soil underneath the body was damp, due to body decomposition, testified Hermosillo. The Fremont County Coroner and Det. Hermosillo transported the body to the morgue, where Det. Hermosillo left shorty after to come back to the Daybell residence. Hermosillo testifies that after returning to the Daybell residence, he assisted locating a second grave on the property.
9:07 a.m.: Counsel and judge are back from sidebar. Prosecuting attorney Rob Wood continues with questioning of Det. Hermosillo. Hermosillo is describing what appears to be the crown of a human head found on Daybell's property, buried under some wet soil and wood panels.
9:04 a.m.: Counsel asked for a short sidebar.
8:45 a.m.: The state recalls Det. Hermosillo to the stand. They will continue with evidence introduction.
8:42 a.m.: Sidebar is complete. Judge Boyce asks for the jury to be brought in. All jurors are present.
8:30 a.m.: Court is called to session, Judge Steven Boyce calls court to order. Before going on record, counsel asks to approach the bench.
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