Lori Vallow Daybell is currently on trial in Maricopa County, Arizona, facing one charge of conspiracy to commit the murder of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. Following an intense courtroom drama, updates are being provided live by Nate Eaton, who is covering the proceedings extensively. Please note that all times mentioned below are in Mountain Standard Time (MST), which is an hour behind Idaho, as Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
3:57 p.m. Nate Eaton announces that he will be live tonight for a special edition of “Courtroom Insider” at 8 p.m. MDT. Viewers are invited to join him on the East Idaho News YouTube channel to gain more insights into this high-profile trial.
3:56 p.m. The judge has officially dismissed the jury, asking them to wait in the jury room momentarily as he wishes to thank them personally for their service.
3:55 p.m. The judge expresses his gratitude towards the jurors, releasing them with an admonition that they are free to discuss the case with anyone but are not obligated to do so.
3:54 p.m. The judge inquires whether Lori wishes to be sentenced within 30 days or to wait until after her next trial. Lori seeks the judge's recommendation, and he advises her to consult with her advisory counsel before making a decision.
3:53 p.m. In an unexpected moment, Lori acknowledges the emotional and physical suffering experienced by the victim’s family and agrees that she had an accomplice in the crime. She stipulates to three aggravating factors which the jury will need to consider.
3:51 p.m. During the proceedings, Lori indicates her willingness to stipulate to additional aggravating factors, confirming her understanding that the jury must find these factors beyond a reasonable doubt.
3:50 p.m. The judge requests a poll of the jury to confirm their verdict, which they affirm with a unanimous "yes." The judge informs them to retire briefly while awaiting the next steps.
3:49 p.m. The jury has returned with their verdict: GUILTY.
3:47 p.m. The judge asks the jury foreperson whether they have reached a verdict, to which he responds affirmatively and submits it to the clerk.
3:46 p.m. Kay Woodcock and Gerry Vallow, family members of Charles Vallow, are present in the courtroom, while the judge instructs his staff to prepare the jurors for the next phase.
3:45 p.m. Lori's paralegal has just arrived, signaling the final preparations for the important announcement.
3:44 p.m. Brandon Boudreaux and his wife have entered the courtroom, taking their seats in the gallery behind the prosecution.
3:42 p.m. Annie Cushing, the sister of Tylee’s father Joseph Ryan, has traveled from New York to attend the trial daily, showing the case's emotional impact on families involved.
3:38 p.m. Nate Eaton shares his experience while seated next to Jacques Billeaud from the Associated Press. Billeaud, a seasoned reporter, expresses that he still feels an adrenaline rush before a verdict is announced.
3:34 p.m. Lori is seen whispering with her advisory attorney, indicating discussions about the proceedings.
3:32 p.m. The judge notes that some family members of the victim are not yet present, and he decides to wait for their arrival before announcing the verdict.
3:31 p.m. Lori has raised questions regarding the aggravating factors. The judge clarifies that the decision on whether to present evidence will depend on the jury's verdict.
3:29 p.m. Lori enters the courtroom wearing a black pantsuit and a purple blouse, as the judge informs everyone that the jury has reached a verdict.
3:26 p.m. The courtroom is filling up with court personnel and the public, signaling the anticipation of the verdict announcement.
3:21 p.m. The judge explains that if the jury finds Lori guilty, they will hear aggravating circumstances immediately, although sentencing will not occur today.
3:20 p.m. The public is being directed into the courtroom, with additional security measures in place to ensure safety during the verdict announcement.
3:17 p.m. Lori’s advisory counsel has arrived, indicating the final stages of trial preparations.
3:13 p.m. The prosecutor and her team enter the courtroom, as the judge’s assistant tracks down the defense team in anticipation of the verdict announcement.
3:00 p.m. A verdict has been reached in Lori Vallow Daybell’s trial, and it is expected to be announced publicly between 3:30-4:00 p.m. Arizona time. The jury deliberated for a brief 17 minutes on Monday and spent under three hours deliberating on Tuesday.
Lori Vallow Daybell is charged with conspiracy to commit murder for her role in the death of Charles Vallow, whom she allegedly conspired with her brother, Alex Cox, to kill in 2019. Prosecutor Treena Kay has argued that the motive behind the murder was to gain financial benefits from Charles's life insurance policy and to facilitate Lori's marriage to Chad Daybell, an author known for his religious novels about apocalyptic themes. Despite representing herself during the trial, Lori did not present any witnesses or evidence but cross-examined several prosecution witnesses.
For ongoing updates on the trial, stay tuned to EastIdahoNews.com as reporter Nate Eaton continues to provide live coverage of this significant case.
