Chad Daybell Pleads Not Guilty To Murder, Lori Daybell Committed To Phychiatric Facility
Jun 9, 2021, 11:31 AM | Updated: 3:23 pm
FILE: Chad Daybell. (Fremont County Jail via the Rexburg Police Department)
(Fremont County Jail via the Rexburg Police Department)
REXBURG, Idaho — Chad Daybell has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges related to the deaths of JJ Vallow, Tylee Ryan & Tammy Daybell.
Chad Daybell entered the plea during an arraignment hearing on Wednesday, exactly one year after the remains of the two children were found on his property.
He was previously indicted by a grand jury on eight felony charges, which included two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception, one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of insurance fraud.
The next step in the case will be a scheduling conference, which was scheduled for June 23.
Each count of conspiracy to commit murder carries a penalty of death or life in prison, as does each murder charge.
If the prosecution does not seek the death penalty, Magistrate Judge Steven Boyce said a sentence of life imprisonment includes a minimum of 10 years in prison.
The prosecution is still debating whether it will pursue the death penalty in any of the charges.
Daybell could also face up to 14 years in prison for grand theft by deception, if he is convicted on those charges.
The felony insurance fraud charges carry a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000.
On this sad anniversary, #ChadDaybell will be in court to face first degree murder charges for their deaths, following Grand Jury Indictment last month. Arraignment scheduled for 10:30 a.m. @KSL5TV #JusticeforTyleeandJJ pic.twitter.com/inub1VPT7N
— Garna Mejia KSL (@GarnaMejiaKSL) June 9, 2021
Case Against Lori Vallow Daybell
Daybell’s current wife, Lori Vallow, was also indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first-degree murder and grand theft related to Social Security benefits.
She was committed to a mental health facility for treatment Wednesday.
Magistrate Judge Steven Boyce ordered a stay in the case against Vallow after she was found unfit to stand trial. A mental health evaluation that deemed her “not competent” late last month, and prosecutors withdrew their opposition to the report on Monday.
Prosecutors also agreed with the assessing psychologist’s recommendation that Vallow should undergo “restorative treatment.”
Also, the Chandler (Arizona) Police Department announced its investigation into the death of Charles Vallow, Lori Vallow’s third husband, was complete.
The case, which is currently under review by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, is being screened for one charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder against Vallow.
One Year Since Remains Found
Both Daybell and Vallow previously pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to conceal evidence in the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan after the children’s remains were found on Chad Daybell’s property last year.
