Jury Selection Continues in Trial of ‘Cult Mom’ Lori Vallow Daybell

After two days of jury selection, attorneys in the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell have 30 potential jurors of 42 they need to begin a deeper examination, ultimately winnowing the number down to 18: 12 jurors and six alternates.

Vallow Daybell is on trial for murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, two of her children, along with Tammy Daybell, the first wife of her current husband, Chad Daybell.

Daybell faces the same charges, but Judge Steven Boyce severed their cases, and no date has been set for him. Daybell waived his right to a speedy trial, but Vallow Daybell — who has twice been deemed incompetent to stand trial and sent for treatment — has not.

Tuesday was the second day of jury selection, and more will be questioned on Wednesday.

Potential jurors face questions about what they know about the case, where they learned their information, and any opinions they have formed, KUTV reported.

Vallow Daybell has been in court both days, sitting between her attorneys at the defense table. Boyce previously barred cameras from the courtroom, so the time-honored tradition of using a courtroom sketch artist is in full play.

For jury selection, only potential jurors, the attorneys, and Vallow Daybell herself are allowed in the courtroom. Media and other observers are allowed to listen to the proceedings from an overflow room.

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[Featured image: FILE – Lori Vallow Daybell sits in a police car after a hearing at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho, on Aug. 16, 2022. A mother charged with murder in the deaths of her two children is set to stand trial in Idaho. The proceedings against Lori Vallow Daybell beginning Monday, April 3, 2023, could reveal new details in the strange, doomsday-focused case. (Tony Blakeslee/East Idaho News via AP, Pool, File)]