Trial Date for ‘Cult Mom’ Lori Vallow, Hubby Chad Daybell Set for January 2023

An Idaho judge on Thursday set a trial date for Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow more than a year away and said the trial would take place in Boise, outside the 10-county 7th District where charges against the pair have been filed.

Judge Steven Boyce granted a change of venue motion in October, saying he would rule later on the location, but he made clear at the time he favored Ada County, where Boise is the county seat.

For now, Daybell and Vallow will be tried together beginning in January 2023, although Boyce said he could hear a motion to split the trials later this year. Such a motion has been written, KIVI reported, but not yet filed.

Vallow and Daybell have been charged with multiple counts connected with the deaths of two of Vallow’s children, 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow” and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, and Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. Vallow was ruled incompetent to stand trial earlier this summer and sent to a state mental health facility for treatment. Her status has not changed since that time.

Daybell attended Thursday’s hearing, held via Zoom, along with his attorneys, Vallow’s attorneys, and prosecutors.

Daybell’s attorney, John Prior had requested a start date in October 2022 and also argued that his client should not have to wait in jail for additional time while Vallow remains incompetent to stand trial. Vallow’s attorney, Jim Archibald, backed a longer timeline for the trial, saying it wasn’t clear when she would be ready and that she could not currently make a decision to waive her right to a speedy trial.

Boyce set the date for January 2023 and said he would set aside 10 weeks for the trial.

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