What to Know
In 2023, a court convicted “Doomsday Mom” Lori Vallow Daybell of murdering her children, 16-year-old daughter, Tylee Ryan, and 7-year-old son, Joshua J.J. Vallow, in 2019. She reportedly believed in the apocalypse and that demons possessed her children.
Investigators found her children’s remains in a shallow grave on the Idaho property she shared with her husband, Chad Daybell. A court also convicted Vallow Daybell of conspiracy to kill Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell’s ex-wife. Three years after the conviction, Vallow Daybell seeks a new trial.
Vallow Daybell gave a long statement before her sentencing in 2023.
Vallow Daybell’s statement never apologized for killing her children, instead, she spoke of how much better off they are now than they were during their time on Earth.
“Many angelic visitors have come and communicated with me and even manifested themselves to me. Because of these communications, I know for a fact that my children are happy and busy in the spirit world. Because of my communications with my friend Tammy Daybell, I know that she is also very happy and extremely busy. I have always mourned the loss of my loved ones, and I have lost many in this mortal world. However, I know them more than most people. I know where they are now, and what they’re doing,” she said.
“I know how wonderful Heaven is, and I’m homesick for it every single day. I know we all lived in heaven before we were born on Earth, and we were all adult spirits in the Heavenly realm we chose to come to Earth as mortals.”
Despite what seemed to be acceptance of her fate, Vallow Daybell wants her conviction overturned.
Vallow Daybell’s attorney claims she did not have fair representation.
According to court documents obtained by KSL, Craig Durham argued in the Idaho Supreme Court that Vallow Daybell did not receive counsel of her choice when attorney Mark Means was removed from representing her. Durham called it a “flawed process that led to a flawed result.” Means reportedly consulted with Vallow Daybell’s husband about his charges, which the judge deemed inappropriate. Durham argued there was no “actual conflict of interest.” Vallow Daybell wants a new trial with representation of her choice, not a court-appointed public defender.
A judge sentenced Vallow Daybell to multiple life sentences.
As it stands, Vallow Daybell will serve five life sentences related to the deaths of her children, conspiracy to kill Tammy Daybell, and two life sentences for conspiracy to kill her late husband, Charles Vallow. A judge found Chad Daybell guilty and sentenced him to death. Reversing the court’s decision and granting Vallow Daybell a retrial could potentially put the death penalty back on the table.
In court, Durham acknowledged the possibility, claiming Vallow Daybell is “aware of the risks in this case and she is choosing to proceed … knowing the possibility that you had suggested is out there.”
Prosecutors believe the judge did the right thing.
Assistant attorney general Jeff Nye argued in court that Means acted unethically and inappropriately in his dealing with Vallow Daybell and her husband. Nye claims Means had access to confidential information from both parties, leading to an undeniable conflict of interest.
“The court had an incredibly difficult situation in front of it,” he said. “Nothing that happened here is normal, but that doesn’t mean there was error in any of it.”
The Idaho Supreme Court will consider the arguments and issue a ruling at a later date.
READ NEXT: Lori Vallow Daybell Sends Message to Adult Son Who Clapped Back & Said They Will Never Speak Again
