Prosecutors in Idaho said Thursday they will seek the death penalty for Chad Daybell, who is accused of killing his two stepchildren from his current marriage and his former wife.
Daybell and his wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, are accused of the deaths of Chad’s first wife, Tammy Daybell, and stepchildren Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, 7, East Idaho News reported. The couple was indicted in May by a Fremont County grand jury.
In court documents filed Thursday in Idaho’s 7th District Court, Special Prosecutor Rob Wood and Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake said in a notice of intent that the death penalty can be used in any or all three first-degree murder charges filed against Chad Daybell, plus any of the three conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charges, KUTV reported.
The bodies of J.J. Vallow and Ryan were recovered from Chad Daybell’s property in Salem, Idaho on June 9, 2020, KSL reported.
“The nature and magnitude of these crimes warrant the possibility of the highest possible punishment.” https://t.co/vL4goiUVzv
— Idaho Statesman (@IdahoStatesman) August 5, 2021
Chad Daybell has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him. Lori Vallow Daybell, the mother of the children, is also in custody but her case is separate and has been delayed. On June 8, District Judge Steven Boyce committed Lori Vallow Faybell to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to undergo mental health treatment, according to East Idaho News.
>> Chad Daybell, Lori Vallow Daybell indicted for murder in deaths of 2 children
In late June, an Arizona grand jury indicted Lori Vallow Daybell on one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the 2019 death of her ex-husband.
BREAKING - Prosecutors in Idaho list eight reasons why they intend to seek the death penalty against Chad Daybell, for the murders of JJ Vallow, Tylee Ryan, and Tammy Daybell.@FOX13 pic.twitter.com/4BBroISYHo
— Adam Herbets (@AdamHerbets) August 5, 2021
“Our process in making this determination was lengthy and comprehensive,” the Idaho prosecutors said in a statement. “We conferred with those immediate family members of J.J. Vallow, Tylee Ryan and Tammy Daybell, who have indicated a willingness to speak with us and allowed them an opportunity to provide their input if they wished to do so. The ultimate decision to seek capital punishment rests with the state, and after completing the entire process, we determined that the nature and magnitude of those crimes warrant the possibility of the highest possible punishment.
>> Arizona grand jury indicts Lori Vallow Daybell for conspiracy to kill ex-husband
“This determination applies only to Chad Daybell.”
Chad Daybell’s pre-trial conference on Sept. 30, with a jurt trial to follow in November, the Idaho Statesman reported.
©2021 Cox Media Group
