BOISE, Idaho (Scripps News Boise) — Day 3 of jury selection in the trial for Lori Vallow Daybell wrapped just before 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and just shy of the threshold needed to move on to the next phase.
We now know opening arguments will begin Monday morning.
Lori Vallow Daybell sits between her attorneys during jury selection at the Ada County Courthouse on Monday, April 4, 2023. (Pool courtroom sketch artist)
The eastern Idaho mom is facing multiple murder charges related to the 2019 deaths of her two children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and her husband’s previous wife, Tammy Daybell.
The jury selection process started Monday. We entered Wednesday’s proceedings with 30 jurors who have moved forward from Monday and Tuesday’s questioning.
READ MORE: ID v. Lori Vallow Daybell: Doomsday Cult Mom Trial
The goal for Wednesday was to approve 12 additional jurors to meet the 42 needed to move on to peremptory strikes. We finished the day at 39.
Nine moved forward from the first two groups combined. None moved forward from the third group.
In the next step, lawyers on each side will be permitted to dismiss jurors of their choosing without explanation.
The end result will be 18 Ada County residents: 12 jurors and six alternates who will serve for the duration of the trial which could take eight weeks.
Many potential jurors were dismissed this week due to concerns about the extended time commitment and potential loss of income. Others were excused for bias based on information they previously knew about the case.
Jury selection will continue Thursday at 1:30 p.m. MDT.
This story was originally published on April 5 by KIVI in Boise, an E.W. Scripps Company.
