BOISE, Idaho - Day 11 of the trial of Chad Daybell continued with witness testimony. Here's a detailed look at the key events and updates from the courtroom.
Key Points from the Trial
The trial focuses on the murder of Chad Daybell’s wife, Tammy Daybell, and Lori Vallow’s two children, Tylee and J.J. Vallow. Chad Daybell is on trial for these murders. Lori Vallow was found guilty of these murders last year.
A significant amount of testimony revolves around the internet search history and actions of Lori Vallow’s brother, Alex Cox, who is believed to be involved in the deaths. Cox is also deceased, adding complexity to the case.
Prosecutors aim to prove that Chad Daybell knew and planned the actions carried out by Cox, establishing premeditated murder of his wife and Lori’s children.
Prosecutors played part of a 911 call Tammy Daybell made in an attempted shooting on Oct. 9, 2019. Tammy said, “He was all dressed in black and had a ski mask on.”
Read also: The Daybell Case
On Oct. 12, Cox searches information regarding ghillie suit and whether a gun will shoot through the steel shell of a Dodge Dakota - the same vehicle Tammy would have been driving.
The temperature that day was 26 degrees. The day of the attempted shooting of Tammy Daybell, Alex Cox searched several terms relating to how a rifle responds in cold weather.
Financial records showed that between Oct. 7 and 15, 2019, Cox had visited a gun range five times. Tammy Daybell died on Oct. 19, 2019.
Prior says the fact that Cox was looking into shooting through the type of car the Daybells own shows his target was likely someone in the Daybell family. Kaaiakamanu agrees.
The State has requested to end the trial proceedings for the day, Judge Boyce agrees and briefly discusses further scheduling before sending the court into recess for the day.
Read also: Comprehensive Daybell Trial Coverage
Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell Case Documentary | Crime Nation | Full Episode | The CW
Testimony and Evidence
Detective Vince Kaaiakamanu's Testimony
Det. Kaaiakamanu returned to the stand, and the State continued their direct examination. Yesterday, Kaaiakamanu gave testimony about the paintball gun or firearm Tammy Daybell was shot at with in her driveway ahead of her death.
Kaaiakamanu says he learned, through discussions with investigators, that Alex Cox's phone was located going toward the Daybell residence before making a turn and going back down the road on the day of the shooting.
A photo of one of the guns seized from Alex Cox is shown to the courtroom. Yesterday this image was shown and the detective explained how it could be misconstrued as a paintball gun at a glance.
The State has no further questions, now Prior cross-examines Kaaiakamanu. Prior asks to call Det. Kaaiakamanu “Officer K.”
Prior asks if Kaaiakamanu is aware that Chad was driving the Dakota (which Cox searched about shooting), the detective says he knows the car was registered to both Chad and Tammy.
Read also: The Chad Daybell Trial
Prior continues with questions about Cox's search history regarding the range of his firearm, the distances he researched were much larger than the length of Tammy's driveway, which is where she saw the alleged shooter.
Prior discusses another search from Cox about the performance of the AR-15 in cold weather. Prior suggests that the weapons and gillie suit Cox had could have been used for hunting as it was hunting season, the detective agrees.
Prior highlights the fact that Chad is not implicated in the shooting of Charles Vallow and the attempted shooting of Brandon Boudreaux. The State calls for a sidebar regarding the line of questioning.
Blake objects, asking the detective if he has any knowledge of Tammy Daybell's gun experience or knowledge, but Judge Boyce allows Prior to ask Kaaiakamanu if Tammy would be the best person to identify the weapon she saw, the detective agrees.
Prior shows search history for Tammy following the alleged shooting where she searched on Google for paintball guns and airsoft guns. Prior points out that she never searched for any details about shotguns or rifles.
Prior and Kaaiakamanu argue over whether a paintball gun could be distinguished at night in the dark for a few minutes, with multiple sustained objections for Prior's argumentative questioning.
Prior shows a generic photo of a paintball gun, asking if the hopper is clearly identifiable, Kaaiakamanu says it is as long as the person gets a good look at the weapon.
Prior plays the call again, Tammy can be heard saying the man was holding the paintball gun like it was a rifle. The 911 call made by Tammy is played again in the courtroom.
Prior says that paintball gun manufacturers do attempt to make some of them appear similar to real weapons, Kaaiakamanu agrees. Prior says the hopper is usually the distinguishing feature, Kaaiakamanu explains that there are many ways to load a paintball gun.
Prior asks if Tammy indicated that she heard noises in line with the sounds a paintball gun makes, the detective says she reported a clicking and wooshing sound.
Prior asks if Det. Kaaiakamanu knew that Tammy searched for photos of paintball guns and identified the one she saw the night of the shooting. The detective says that he was not aware of this as it was not included in police reports.
Kaaiakamanu says Lori and Chad married just 3 days after Tammy's funeral.
Tammy Daybell's Knowledge and Beliefs
Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell’s doomsday beliefs have revolved around dark and light spirits. Those who have died were considered dark spirits.
In Thursday’s testimony, the detective talked about messages he read between the Daybell family, both Chad and Tammy, and their kids. They discuss clearing their son Mark Daybell of a dark spirit and how they identified 12-year-olds at Sunday school who were dark spirits.
Blake going right after the light-dark scale. Kaaiakamanu says it was Chad who rated people. Blake asks if the children Chad rated as dark were 12. Kaaiakamanu says he hopes so. Blake asks if those children stood between Chad and Lori being involved. Kaaiakamanu says no.
Chad and Lori believe that J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan had become dark, a factor leading to their deaths. However, the defense used the Daybell family conversations to show Tammy Daybell was aware of Chad’s teachings.
Prior says these ideas are standard for most religions. Chad discussed with Tammy and their children about the existence of light and dark spirits. All info officers found relevant were included in reports.
In messages, Chad says he cleared a dark spirit from one of his children, and noted one of the children at Sunday School was a 4.2 dark spirit. Prior says no one killed the child.
The Daybells’ stake president (a Latter-day Saint leader) requested Chad’s publisher stop publishing the books. Kaaiakamanu does not know why.
Blake asks about Chad going to see Lori just 3 weeks after Charles's death.
Additional Testimony
Following the brief break, the State calls computer specialist Spencer Cook to the stand. Cook worked a the same school as Tammy Daybell, he worked as the technology director for the Sugar-Salem School District.
Charles says he has “vital and disturbing” information regarding Chad and Lori.
Legal Proceedings and Implications
Judge Boyce is presiding over the trial, making key rulings on the admissibility of evidence and lines of questioning.
Boyce rules on the admissibility of a second statement, where Tammy told a witness that Chad said she was a zombie. The judge says it is not permitted in the State's case and will only be discussed if the defense opens the door for discussion of the subject.
If Chad Daybell is convicted of murdering Tylee, J.J., and his first wife Tammy, the death penalty is on the table for him.
Timeline of Events
Here's a brief timeline of the key events mentioned during the trial:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oct. 7-15, 2019 | Alex Cox visits a gun range five times |
| Oct. 9, 2019 | Attempted shooting of Tammy Daybell |
| Oct. 12, 2019 | Cox searches information about ghillie suits and shooting through a Dodge Dakota |
| Oct. 19, 2019 | Tammy Daybell dies |
| 3 days after Tammy's funeral | Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell marry |
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