Prosecutors plan to seek the death sentence for Lori Vallow Daybell, who will stand trial in January with her husband Chad Daybell.
According to motions filed late Monday, if Lori is convicted “for any of the counts of first degree murder and/or any of the counts of conspiracy to commit first degree murder,” Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsay Blake and Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood will seek the death penalty as a sentencing option.
For the murders of 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan — two of Lori’s children — and Chad’s first wife, Tammy Daybell, Chad and Lori Daybell are charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. In Chad’s case, prosecutors are also seeking the death penalty.
Prosecutors have filed a request with Judge Steven Boyce to shift Lori’s trial from October to January to coincide with Chad’s. Although the cases are now linked, Lori did not relinquish her right to a speedy trial last month, and she must be tried within six months of her arraignment under the law. Boyce’s trial was set to start three months before her husband’s.
Prosecutors say that the witnesses and evidence in both cases are the identical, and that holding them together will save money because the procedures are projected to span 10 weeks.
Chad and Lori Daybell have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
