PHOENIX (Court TV) — Lori Daybell refused any responsibility at her sentencing for her two Arizona convictions on Friday, telling the Court that “if I was accountable, I would acknowledge it and let you know how sorry I am.”
Lori Daybell sits in court during her sentencing in Arizona on July 25, 2025. (Court TV)
In April, Daybell was convicted of conspiring to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was fatally shot by Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, in 2019. In June, she was convicted of conspiracy to kill her ex-nephew-in-law, Brandon Boudreaux.
Judge Justin Beresky sentenced Daybell to the maximum sentence of life for each case, with a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years. The sentences will be served consecutively and are added to the life sentences she is currently serving in Idaho for the murders of her children, Tylee and JJ, as well as for the murder of her fifth husband’s first wife, Tammy Daybell.
Daybell’s eldest son, Colby Ryan, addressed his mother via Zoom at the sentencing, describing Vallow as “a very generous man who would give the shirt off his back,” and said he regretted not speaking to him before his death, based on lies his mother had told him. Ryan challenged his mother’s claims of religious devotion, calling her a part of a “murderous cult.”
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Kay Woodcock, Vallow’s sister, delivered a scathing victim impact statement. “You murdered Charles. You took his phone and played a game and told the world this was a good reason to shoot him,” Woodcock said. “You’re a manipulator, a liar. Charles loved you, and you left him dead on the floor. Twisting the narrative. The truth doesn’t lie.” Woodcock read a letter written from JJ’s point of view which said, “I should be 13, I am forever seven,” and yelled, “I trusted you!” at the defendant before returning to her seat.
JJ’s biological father, Todd Trahan, took the opportunity to address Lori. “I trusted you all,” he said. “I gave him up so you could raise him. I deal with the regret.”
Boudreaux’s family offered tearful statements recalling the moment they learned Brandon’s life was in danger. They described hiding him and his children as the gunman who tried to take his life remained free. “One moment, one shot, a moment that should have taken his life, didn’t,” Brandon’s new wife, Jenny Boudreaux, said. ” That near-death changed his life.”
Addressing the court himself, Brandon said, “This burden will never go away. We can never go back, we can’t fix these things, there’s no way to right these injustices. My greatest hope is to prevent anyone else from enduring it.”
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Daybell accepted the opportunity to address the Court at her sentencing, thanking her standby counsel for their assistance during her two trials before complaining about the conditions of the Maricopa County jail and the legal system. “The conditions of this jail are not for long-term confinement,” she said. “No access to sunlight or good nutrition. They offer you a vitamin D supplement; it’s inhumane.”
When Daybell claimed that 98% of cases in Arizona end in plea deals so the prisoners can “go to prison for sunlight and decent food,” Judge Beresky interrupted to clarify that her statistics were incorrect.
Much like she did at her sentencing in Idaho, Daybell told the court that Tylee, JJ, Charles and Tammy are “happy” and “busy” in heaven and have told her they are content.
