The state resting was not a surprise. But Lori Vallow Daybell gave all indications she would put on a case.
PHOENIX — On late Wednesday afternoon, the prosecutor rested her case against Lori Vallow Daybell. Moments later, Vallow Daybell said she intended to rest, too.
For the past five years, there have been so many twists and turns in this case, from dead spouses to missing children to doomsday prophecies.
Vallow Daybell has already been convicted in Idaho for murdering her children, Tylee and JJ. She was also convicted for her role in the death of Tammy Daybell, the first wife of her current husband Chad Daybell.
Chad Daybell was also convicted in Idaho for murdering Lori’s children and his first wife, Tammy. He was sentenced to death in that state.
Now, Vallow Daybell is facing two conspiracy to commit murder charges in Arizona. The first is a case out of Chandler, where Vallow Daybell and her brother, Alex Cox, are accused of conspiring to kill Lori’s estranged former husband Charles Vallow.
Vallow died in July 2019 after Lori’s brother shot and killed him at Lori’s rental home in Chandler.
Testimony in this trial started in early April and appeared to wrap up late Wednesday afternoon.
Technically, Vallow Daybell can still change her mind
The state resting was not a surprise. The prosecutor told the judge that it could happen this week.
But Lori Vallow Daybell, who had been fighting tooth and nail to get an expert and certain witnesses on her list, gave all indications she would put on a case.
After the state rested, the jury left the courtroom. The judge asked Vallow Daybell, who is representing herself, what she wanted to do. She took a few moments to confer with her advisory team.
She then put forth a motion to dismiss the case, claiming the state didn’t present enough evidence to convict her of the crime. The judge denied that motion. Then she told the judge she wanted to rest her case without calling witnesses or taking the stand herself.
But because the jury wasn’t in the room when she said it, she can technically change her mind before closing arguments, which are currently scheduled for Monday.
Lori Vallow Daybell, disclosing she wants to rest her case, came after seven days of evidence presented against her by the state.
On Wednesday, the prosecutor revealed text messages between Lori and her brother discussing Charles being possessed by an evil spirit named “Ned.”
The state also showed the jury messages between Lori and her new husband Chad Daybell, including romantic messages after Charles’ death and messages talking about how Vallow Daybell did not get life insurance money from her husband’s death because he changed the policy.
Last week, the jury heard from key witnesses like Lori’s other brother, Adam Cox, Charles’ sister Kay Woodcock and a woman who went on a date with Charles the night before he was killed.
Throughout the trial, Vallow Daybell cross-examined a number of witnesses. At times she was argumentative and the judge often had to stop her from giving her own testimony while asking questions.
Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, can’t be charged in this case because he died in December 2019 before charges were brought in court.
On Thursday, both sides her are meeting without the jury to go over what jury instructions for deliberation will look like. Closing arguments are scheduled to start Monday morning at 10:30 AM local time.
Vallow Daybell is also facing a murder conspiracy charge out of Gilbert for a shooting attempt at her niece’s ex-husband, who ultimately wasn’t injured. That trial is expected to start in the weeks after this trial concludes.
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