BOISE, Idaho (Scripps News Boise) — A jury has been seated in the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell. 10 men and 8 women were given instructions Friday morning and told to return to the Ada County courthouse Monday for opening statements.
Lori Vallow Daybell stands during jury selection at the Ada County Courthouse on Thursday, April 6, 2023. (Pool courtroom sketch artist)
Each day this week, dozens of Ada County residents were questioned at the courthouse about their ability to remain fair and impartial if chosen to serve on the jury for the high-profile trial expected to last eight weeks.
On Friday, each side silently dismissed a dozen jurors of their choosing to reach the final 18 — 12 jurors and six alternates. They will not be informed who is an alternate until it is time to deliberate.
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Late Thursday afternoon, the prosecution and defense passed the remaining individuals needed for a pool of 42 potential jurors. They also worked to get a few “back up” jurors, “out of an abundance of caution.”
On Friday morning, all potential jurors returned to the courthouse for peremptory strikes. The prosecution and the defense took turns dismissing jurors of their choosing without a need for an explanation.
The completion of jury questioning came on the same day we learned Judge Boyce will allow JJ Vallow’s biological grandmother, Kay Woodcock, to sit in the courtroom for the duration of the trial as JJ’s representative.
Opening statements will start Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. GMT/10:30 a.m. ET at the Ada County Courthouse. Seating will be permitted only by reservation.
This story was originally published April 7 by KIVI in Boise, an E.W. Scripps Company.
