PHOENIX (Court TV) — Lori Daybell has been found guilty of conspiring to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow.
Lori Daybell appears in court while acting as her own attorney during her conspiracy trial Monday, April 7, 2025 in Arizona. (Court TV)
Lori acted as her own attorney in the trial out of Arizona, where, in addition to the conspiracy charge in Charles’ death, she’s accused of conspiring in an attempt to kill her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. Lori will be tried separately in the Boudreaux case.
Lori is already serving a life sentence in Idaho. In 2023, she was convicted of murdering her two youngest children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiring to kill her fifth husband’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. Her husband, Chad Daybell, was convicted of the same charges and sentenced to death.
Lori married Vallow on Feb. 24, 2006, in Las Vegas. In 2013, the couple adopted JJ from Charles’ sister and her husband, Kay and Larry Woodcock, who were JJ’s grandparents.
In 2016, the couple moved to Arizona, where they settled down with Tylee and JJ. Three years later, Charles filed for divorce, indicating he was concerned about her mental health, according to East Idaho News.
Lori’s older brother, Alex Cox, fatally shot Charles on July 11, 2019, while he was arguing with Lori after picking JJ up for school. Police said that during the argument, Alex claimed Charles hit him over the head with a bat. Alex told police that after he was hit in the head, he retrieved a gun from his bedroom and shot Charles in self-defense. In a probable cause statement from the Chandler Police Department, investigators said no emergency aid was provided for Charles, and he was left bleeding on the floor for approximately 43 minutes before calling 911.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 10 – 4/22/25
- After deliberating for three hours over two days, the jury reached a verdict.
DAY 9 – 4/21/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell, Day 9 | Cult Mom Conspiracy Trial
- Treena Kay presented the prosecution’s closing argument.
- In her closing argument, the pro se defendant, Lori Daybell, stressed that the State lacked direct evidence, had no clear motive, and failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. She framed the shooting as lawful self-defense and rejected links between her faith and motive.
- In the State’s rebuttal, Prosecutor Treena Kay reminded jurors that Lori said “we got rid” of him, referring to Charles after learning he had changed his life insurance. Kay emphasized that Lori wanted Chad, not Charles, and her words and actions prove she’s guilty.
DAY 8 – 4/17/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell, Day 8 | Cult Mom Conspiracy Trial
- A charge conference took place.
- The jury will return Monday, April 21, for closing arguments. On Wednesday, Lori told the judge that she does not intend to present any evidence.
DAY 7 – 4/16/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell, Day 7 | Cult Mom Conspiracy Trial
- Chandler Police Det. Nathan Duncan, who became the case against in 2020, concludes his testimony.
- Inside the home, Duncan observed Charles Vallow deceased on the floor, arms at sides, with minimal blood present. He identified a bullet strike in the flooring beneath Charles’ shoulder, consistent with the wound path and suggesting Charles was already on the ground when that shot was fired.
- WATCH: Detective: Charles Was Dead on the Floor for 45 Min. Before Alex Called 911
- Cell extractions showed that on July 11, Charles texted Adam Cox at 0737 MST when he arrived to pick up JJ and received a warning reply: “they’re planning something.” Charles responded, “absolutely.” That message wasn’t read until 1213 MST, hours Charles was dead. Duncan testified Lori had possession of Charles’ phone at that time.
- Duncan further testified about Lori and Alex referring to Charles as “Ned,” a “dark spirit” in their belief system.
- 1500 – July 9, 2019, 9:50 pm – Lori texts Alex Cox…”I’m going to need you to stay close to me the next couple days…they are planning some kind of intervention…[continues]…it’s all coming to a head this week. I will be like nephi I am told! And so will you”
- WATCH: Lori Texts Alex Cox: Stay Close to Me, They’re Planning an Intervention
- Additional messages discussed life insurance. Lori texted images of Charles’ policy (including a beneficiary change) to Chad Daybell, saved under the nickname “Bubby.” Duncan confirmed the phone number matched Chad Daybell via a business call recording. Additionally, on July 18, 2019, Lori texted Chad, saying she had learned that Charles had changed the beneficiary in March.
- Duncan testified that post-shooting messages between Lori and Chad became openly romantic, including Chad Daybell’s apparent allegorical story of their relationship featuring the characters “James” and “Elena.” Chad Daybell used the phrase “loin to loin” to describe their bond at one point in the message exchanges shown Wednesday. Jurors also saw a Hawaii marriage document indicating Lori and Chad were married in the Aloha State on November 5, 2019, just four months after Charles’s shooting death.
- WATCH: Detective: Charles Confronted Lori, Chad About Affair Weeks Before Death
- Lori’s cross-examination of Duncan was unconventional and turbulent, with most of the State’s near-constant objections sustained by Beresky.
- The State rested its case late Wednesday afternoon, then Daybell moved for acquittal under Rule 20, arguing lack of evidence of conspiracy. Judge Beresky denied the motion, ruling that sufficient evidence exists for the jury to consider the charged offense of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
DAY 6 – 4/15/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell, Day 6 | Cult Mom Conspiracy Trial
- Det. Cassandra Ynclan wrapped her testimony.
- Det. Ariel Werther testified that despite Lori claiming she was home at the time of the shooting, the timeline tells another story.
- According to Det. Werther, Lori was at Burger King at 7:54 a.m. 911 was called at 8:36 a.m., police arrived by 8:42 a.m., and Lori was seen on body cam at 8:48 a.m.—despite also driving JJ to school 7 miles away.
- Lori asked Det. Werther what he was seeking when he searched Charles’ phone. Werther’s focus was location data, so the judge ruled it irrelevant when Lori asked about a date scheduled with Nancy Jo Hancock in Charles’ phone calendar.
- WATCH: AZ v. Lori Daybell: Day 6 Highlights
DAY 5 – 4/14/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell, Day 5 | Cult Mom Conspiracy Trial
- Dr. Derek S. Bumgarner, an MD with the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, performed an autopsy on Charles Vallow.
- When describing Charles’ bullet wounds, confirmed that the bullet went through his heart, which isn’t usually immediately fatal: people can live seconds up to a minute with that injury.
- Confirmed that Charles could have spoken and/or moved in the short time he was still alive.
- It’s also possible that Charles touched where he was shot, and fell to his knees when he was shot.
- Det. Cassandra Ynclan testified that Lori was almost chipper in the car ride in the police car following Charles’ death: She was unaffected, unemotional, chatty, talking like it was any other day.
- Several video and audio clips were played throughout the day, e.g. Lori’s police interviews and Lori’s phone calls with the insurance company. Other witness included a forensic scientist, a claims examiner for an insurance company, and an investigator with the Social Security Administration who worked on the case.
DAY 4 – 4/10/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell, Day 4 | Cult Mom Conspiracy Trial
- Lori’s brother, Adam Cox, described how Charles Vallow had grown increasingly alarmed by Lori’s religious beliefs, including claims that she was becoming an immortal being and that Charles was possessed by an evil spirit named “Ned.” Adam flew to Phoenix in July 2019 to help stage a kind of intervention, but said Alex Cox, who had agreed to host him, suddenly stopped responding. The next day, Charles was dead.
- Sarena Sharpe testified that she attended two spiritual gatherings with Lori Vallow Daybell in late 2018 and early 2019. During these events, Sharpe stated that the defendant expressed spiritual beliefs inconsistent with mainstream LDS doctrine, including a claimed lack of need for repentance. Sharpe further testified that the defendant led a group prayer effort intended to expel an alleged evil spirit from Charles Vallow, whom the defendant described as being possessed and “dark.”
- Kay Woodcock, the younger sister of Charles Vallow and the grandmother of Charles and Lori’s adoptive son JJ Vallow, testified regarding the timeline and deterioration of Charles and Lori’s marriage. She stated that Charles expressed concern for his safety in early 2019 after the defendant abruptly left for an extended period. Woodcock testified that she learned of Charles’s death through a Google search two days after it occurred. She further stated that Lori had Charles cremated and shipped his remains to her office. Woodcock also confirmed that Charles changed the beneficiary of his life insurance policy from the defendant to her in early 2019, and that the defendant later acknowledged this change in a text message expressing frustration.
DAY 3 – 4/9/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell, Day 3 | Cult Mom Conspiracy Trial
- Daybell repeatedly questioned Chandler PD Detective Daniel Coons about the physical evidence, including whether the floor was tested and whether her husband’s clothing (a $200 bamboo shirt) could have caused “shoring” of the wound.
- Nancy Jo Hancock testified about her brief interaction with Charles Vallow before his death. They met through an LDS dating site in July 2019 and arranged to meet in person on July 10. Hancock described their meeting as friendly, with Charles excited to see his son, JJ, the next day. During dinner, Charles mentioned changing his life insurance beneficiary to his sister, Kay Woodcock, and Hancock advised him to inform Lori. Hancock noted that Charles spoke kindly of Lori, despite their separation. On July 11, Hancock attempted to contact Charles but received no response. She later learned of his death in December 2019, realizing her date with Charles occurred less than 12 hours before he was killed.
- WATCH: Lori Daybell: Did You Talk About Me? Witness: ‘Don’t Flatter Yourself’
- When Lori asked Nancy if she knew Lori wasn’t aware that her husband was on dating sites, Nancy said, “He was under the impression you were having an affair.”
- WATCH: Lori: Did You Know That I Didn’t Know My Husband Was on Dating Sites?
- Christina Atwood discussed several meetings with Lori and other women, during which Lori expressed concerns about Charles being possessed by “dark spirits.” Atwood described a particularly disturbing conversation during a June 2019 gathering, when Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, reportedly said he wished he could kill Charles. Atwood also shared that Lori had mentioned casting out dark spirits from Charles and even drugging him with JJ’s medication.
DAY 2 – 4/8/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell, Day 2 | Cult Mom Conspiracy Trial
- Capt. Kent Keller (ret.), Chandler Fire Department took the stand.
- Agreed that Charles Vallow was dead before he entered the house.
- Agreed that it was unlikely that anyone had performed CPR on Charles prior to the fire department’s arrival, but does not know for a fact if CPR was or was not given.
- WATCH: Lori Daybell Cross-Examines Fire Captain About the Crime Scene
- Daniel Coons, retired Chandler PD detective.
- Briefly held the baseball bat while on the stand for identification purposes.
- Testified that his opinion is that Charles was lying on the ground when the second shot was fired.
- A great deal of time was spent in silence because crime scene photos were on display.
DAY 1 – 4/7/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell Day 1 | Cult Mom Conspiracy Trial
- Deputy Maricopa County Attorney Treena J. Kay delivered the State’s open:
- Said Lori Daybell communicated with her brother, Alex Cox, shortly before the killing of Charles Vallow.
- According to Kay, Lori’s motives were financial gain and her new romance with Chad Daybell.
- Kay also explained that Lori claimed Charles was possessed by an evil spirit.
- Said evidence revealed Lori and Alex were determined to eliminate Charles.
- WATCH: Prosecution: Lori Vallow Wanted To Be Lori Daybell
The baseball bat that Charles Vallow allegedly struck Alex Cox with before he was fatally shot twice. Tylee Ryan told Chandler Police she had brought the bat into the room where her mother Lori and Charles were arguing prior to the shooting. (Court TV)
- WATCH: Prosecution: Lori Vallow Wanted To Be Lori Daybell
- Lori Daybell, pro se defendant, delivered her open.
- Acknowledged she’s charged with conspiracy but said there’s no evidence of an agreement or plan.
- Detailed her marriage to Charles Vallow: They got married in February 2006 (her fourth marriage, his third):
- They had a blended family, raising five children together.
- Both had life insurance policies; Charles purchased policies to the maximum amounts.
- Lori was the sole beneficiary of Charles’ new policy.
- Family relocated to Kauai in 2014.
- Said Charles moved JJ out of his special school during separation, causing distress.
- Described day of Incident (July 11, 2019):
- Charles arrived to to pick up JJ for school.
- Tensions rose, leading to an altercation involving Alex Cox and a bat.
- Alex shot Charles in what Lori described as self-defense.
- Ends her statement by saying self-defense and family tragedies are not crimes, and insisted that having life insurance as a spouse is not criminal and argued that the charges stem from a tragedy, not malice.
- The day’s other witnesses were first responders on the scene: a sergeant, a police officer, and a firefighter/paramedic
