BOISE, Idaho — Idaho state attorneys on Wednesday filed a motion to the Fremont District Court to reconsider moving Chad Daybell's court location back to Fremont County or a closer county due to jury concerns.
According to the 10-page document, attorneys argued the residents of Ada County have been following media's co-defendants Lori Vallow Daybell's. They claim the extensive coverage is concerning because jurors have the potential to be biased. They argue the residents of Fremont County would be less biased due to them not having as much coverage.
On October 8, 2021, the Fremont District Court granted the defendant's motion to move the trail's location to Ada County. The state attorneys filed a request to reconsider in February 2022 but was denied by the court on April 28, 2022.
Attorneys said they have maintained that Fremont is an appropriate venue because "Defendant's and/or other Co-Conspirators' actions and/or planning occurring in Fremont County and all three Bodies being located in Fremont County."
They claim the intensive media coverage in Ada County of Lori's case where media outlets (including KTVB) interviewed public figures brings more attention.
"The facts, evidence and witnesses for both Defendants are similar, related and intertwined," the motion said.
They continued later and expressed their concern, "It raises serious concerns in relation to holding the Defendant's trial in Ada County where the media saturation has consistently been more than other counties."
The motion requests to relocate the trail to Fremont County or a closer venue, such as Bonneville County or Bannock County.
A KTVB previously reported, Daybell's trial is set for April 1, 2024, at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise at 9 a.m
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