Lori Vallow trial – live: Verdict looms as closing arguments get under way in cult mom’s murder case

The fate of “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow will soon lie in the hands of the jury as her dramatic murder trial draws to a close.

Closing arguments are set to begin in Ada County Court in Boise, Idaho, on Thursday morning before the jury begins deliberations.

While the judge banned all cameras from the courtroom for the duration of the trial, the hotly-anticipated verdict will be livestreamed.

Ms Vallow, 49, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife Tammy Daybell, 49.

Tylee and JJ were last seen alive in September 2019. In June 2020, their remains were found buried on the Daybell property. Tammy died one month after their disappearance in October 2019.

Over the last month, prosecutors have laid out their case that Ms Vallow conspired with Mr Daybell and her brother Alex Cox to kill the three victims – as part of their doomsday cult beliefs but also out of financial greed.

Ms Vallow, meanwhile, made the shock decision not to offer any defence in the trial.

Key points

• Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell discuss inflicting pain on children in disturbing texts revealed at trial

• Lori Vallow ignored stepsons’ pleas as she exchanged romantic texts with Chad Daybell

• Vallow’s friend says ‘cult mon' threatened to kill, ‘cut up’ and bury her one month after children disappeared

• Autopsy details that show Tammy Daybell was likely restrained during her murder

• Lori Vallow’s DNA found on duct tape wrapped around son’s body

• Did Lori Vallow accidentally make a key confession about Tylee and JJ’s deaths in jail call?

19:49 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald says that before Lori met Chad she believed in the compassionate Jesus who forgave sinners. He gets choked up.

“No one here thinks Lori actually killed anyone. That’s why she’s being charged with conspiracy. So they want you to be convinced that she’s part of this plan — that there’s a specific plan to kill. If you find her guilty, will that bring the kids back? Nope.

“If you find her not guilty, will that bring the kids back? Nope. You can’t be concerned about that. You need to be concerned with following the law and the lack of evidence.”

“If there is anything we’ve learned about a storm, you hide from a storm. You seek shelter from a storm. Lori spent her whole life protecting her children. Thank you again.”

The court breaks for lunch for 45 minutes.

There will then be a rebuttal from the state.

19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald is going full in on Chad being to blame. Is Lori a leader or just one of his followers?

“Why can’t people escape religious leaders? Why can’t Lori escape and get back to her good mom life? Lori is not a leader in Chad’s new church — the Church of the Fireborn. Lori so wants to testify for Jesus. She wants to tell the world how much she loves Jesus. She wants to tell you she personally met him on more than one occasion. But is Lori a leader or a follower of Chad? She so wants to be a leader but she’s not leading anyone. She’s following Chad. She thinks Chad is following Jesus but he’s not. He’s, unfortunately, being led by the storm — not the first guy to be led by the storm.”

We heard testimony that Lori and Chad referred to his penis as “the storm”.

19:43 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald says Chad is “making it up as he goes. He can’t remember if it’s zero per cent when people die or 100 per cent when people die.”

“What’s going on in Chad’s brain? You and I wouldn’t believe it - but some people do. Some people follow religious leaders when others don’t. Was it proven who killed Tylee? No — but Alex and Chad were in the backyard. Chad had said, ‘Tylee doesn’t like me.’ ... Did they prove that Lori conspired? Of the 15,000 texts they have in evidence, show me one from Lori that says, ‘So when are you killing Tylee?’”

Archibald continues: “Was it proven who killed JJ? No but Chad got in a scratch fight with JJ the day before. Maybe those were the scratches on JJ’s neck. Alex was only at the gravesite for JJ for 17 minutes. That’s not enough time to find a board, find rocks and line them up. I’m guessing Alex had help from Chad. Of the 15,000 texts you have in evidence, show me one where Lori is part of that conspiracy. ‘When are you killing JJ by the way? There is no such text.’”

19:39 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald brings up Audrey’s testimony and says he thought she was “making up stuff.” What did we learn about her?

“That she was married to Jesus, that kind of cool. That I’ll follow you to five different states even though I didn’t really follow you.”

Archibald then apologises to the jury for getting a little “excited” with Audrey because he didn’t believe her.

“You have to sort through that and decide what is credible and not credible with these witnesses. What is real and what is imaginary?”

Audrey claimed that Lori had threatened to cut her up and bury her.

19:36 , Oliver O'Connell

Describing Tammy’s death as “up in the air”, Archibald says: “Was she even murdered? Was it a natural death? To believe she was murdered, Chad is so smooth that he convinced a county coroner, a deputy coroner, and a police officer that it was all natural causes and convinced his kids. Remember the kids showed up, ‘Oh my. What happened to Mom.’ Chad convinced them all - Sorry kids, mom died in her sleep. Ok dad.”

“You’re being asked to convict Lori on killing Tammy when Lori’s in Hawaii. You’re being asked to convict Lori on killing Tammy when it isn’t even a homicide.”

Archibald talks about the prophecy Chad told the neighbors about - that Tammy would die before she was 50.

19:32 , Oliver O'Connell

Turning to the physical evidence and the autopsy pictures he is sure are burned on the juror’s brains, he zeroes in on Lori’s hair being found on the duct tape used to restrain JJ.

“Is that a smoking gun? No, not at all. Why not? Because decomposition fluid was also in that bag, the pajamas were also in that bag, kids socks were also in that bag, a kid’s blanket was also in that bag. To say Lori is a killer because they found a piece of her hair on duct tape, that’s not true. I would hope all of you who are mothers — I hope your hair is somewhere on your kid’s pajamas, socks or blanket.”

19:29 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald references Summer Shiflet’s testimony and the phone call.

“I have supported you your whole life. Chad has lied to you. Chad has deceived you,” he quotes.

Moving on to Alex Cox, he remind the jury that Alex was an adult man with a 16-year-old’s brain and maturity following his car accident growing up.

He also mentions that Summer testifies that Lori was a good mother.

19:26 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald argues that Lori lied to protect Chad.

“How can someone have that much control over you? We’ve heard how reason and common sense go out the windows sometimes when religious principles are involved,” Archibald says.

“They say she’s cunningly coming up with a plan to knock off all these people. Why not go get insurance policies on the kids? She didn’t go get an insurance policy on the kids. Does that tell you she wasn’t planning to kill her kids or she would have gotten policies,” Archibald says.

19:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald says on Lori’s rental application for her Rexburg home, she listed JJ and Tylee as her kids. “Why tell everyone you had two kids? Why enroll them in school? Why hire a babysitter? The only thing that makes sense to me if she didn’t have a plan. She wanted to be with Chad. They were obviously having an affair. Chad told her all the time about life and dark things but there was no plan by Lori to kill her kids.”

19:24 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald talks about how Colby Ryan said his mother was a great mom who protected them from their dad, describing the phone call testimony as “painful” and choking up.

He talks about Lori’s friend from Hawaii April Ryan who declined to get involved in the gathering of the 144,000.

Archibald moves on to say how Lori has sought out a babysitter for JJ.

“If Lori has all these plans to kill her kid, why hire a babysitter and bring her over and introduce her and why check JJ into school? You’re going to kill your kid next week. Why do that? Because Lori didn’t have a plan. The state wants you to think that this was Lori’s plan to kill her kids.”

19:19 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald describes Chad’s blessing of Alex as “craziness”.

“To me it’s craziness. Opening the portals of time, third creation, fourth creation, great warriors, exaltation but came back in the fifth creation. What in the heck is Chad talking about? He’s the leader of his new church. He calls himself a patriarch. Just goofy stuff.”

19:17 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald goes on to describe the “weird religious babble that really does not make sense.”

“In America, you can believe how you want but you can’t go killing people so what are they talking about? What is all this religious talk?”

Archibald tells the jurors to listen to the call from Melanie Gibb where Lori says the kids are safe and happy.

“Does she know Chad and Alex were out in the backyard together? Remember all the GPS data? Lori’s not there. Lori’s not in the backyard when Chad and Alex are. She’s not coming and going from Chad’s property on those days. She’s not there. They are calling and texting her. Are they texting about today’s the day we are going to kill some people? We don’t know that. Maybe they were texting about running an errand - ‘Do you want a real Coke or a Diet Coke?’”

Archibald says: “Look for the lack of evidence of who’s doing what.”

19:14 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald says there is no denying that the children are dead but did Lori do it?

“You’ve heard 60 witnesses and seen hundreds of exhibits. County police, local police, state police, federal police — a lot of resources. I want to review some of these exhibits with you.”

19:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald moves on to sex as a motivation.

“People have sex outside of marriage every day, unfortunately.”

He tells the jury to look at pictures of Chad and Charles and ask if it was physical attraction to trade Charles for Chad. Was that a trade-up or trade-down?

“She’s reading his books during a hard time in her life and this guy is telling her she’s a goddess...and by the way, we’ve already been married in previous life so it’s not really cheating. And we were best friends with Jesus and Jesus approves so everything is ok. That’s quite the pickup line by Chad to Lori and it worked. Pretty scary that the pickup line from Chad to Lori worked.”

19:06 , Oliver O'Connell

Having covered the money argument, Archibald moves on to power.

“In the year Chad convinced her she was a goddess, how many converts did Lori have? Zero. A big fat zero. How many converts did Chad have? I count six. Melanie, Audrey, etc.”

“This great cause of saving the world and gathering up the 144,000, Chad got six and Lori got zero. Doing some simple math, Chad has 143,994 people left to gather before Jesus comes. At the rate of six people a year, that will take Chad 24,000 years to get this army assembled. The math is ridiculous.”

19:04 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald digs into the motivation for the murders: Money, Power, Sex.

He says he respects it but notes that Charles Vallow earned more than $400,000 a year and they were comfortable, whereas Chad “who can’t sell enough stupid books about the end of the world” was supported by Tammy.

19:01 , Oliver O'Connell

“You’ve been able to see my client. You’ve been able to see the evil glares she gets from the audience. You’ve been able to see the witnesses and the evidence. You’ve been able to hear my client six times during this trial.”

19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

“I talked to you weeks ago about paying attention to who does what. Pay attention to burden of proof. We don’t have to provide any witnesses or evidence and my client doesn’t have to testify. You can’t hold that against us.”

Archibald goes on to remind them that out of the 18 jurors, six will be sent home and won’t deliberate the case. He thanks them for their service.

18:57 , Oliver O'Connell

The next big question: “Who is Chad Daybell?”

Lori read some of his books and Archibald explains all about the religious teachings, the 144,000, evil spirits, light and dark ratings, zombies, Jesus being in the temple, and how there was “quite a remarkable change in Lori from people who knew her. What the heck is going on? How can this be?”

“One year after meeting Chad, four people are dead.”

He reminds the jury that Charles’s death is not the subject of the case.

18:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald gives a brief recap of Lori’s life. She turns 50 next month, was born in California and got married out of high school. Got divorced. Went to beauty school. Got married and then divorced again and worked hard as a single mother.

He explains about Lori marrying and divorcing Joseph Ryan and how the kids needed protecting from him. He moves on to talk about Charles Vallow and their marriage.

“You heard JJ had medical issues when he was born and Charles and Lori were a good fit for him. They loved him and they cared for him. Then the story about Lori Vallow changes dramatically in October 2018.”

18:51 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald begins with the bigger questions looming over the trial: “Who is Lori Vallow? What happened? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did it happen? That’s what you’ve been asked to figure out. That’s what you need to be convinced of beyond a reasonable doubt.”

18:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Archibald also thanks the prosecutors and says: “We’re small-town lawyers. We’re not from Boise. We’re called opposing counsel but we do respect each other. We respect the jobs we have to do.”

Defence begins closing argument

18:48 , Oliver O'Connell

Attorney Jim Archibald begins the defence’s closing argument by saying he will go into the lunch hour by thanking the jurors for their service and acknowledging what a tough job they have had.

“We talked about this almost seven weeks ago when we met. We talked about the case being difficult. You were asked if you could be fair and impartial and reserve judgment until the end. We’re getting close to the end. You were asked to be patient and attentive while putting your life on hold. Again - thank you.”

Lori Vallow ‘groomed’ and ‘manipulated’ Chad Daybell and Alex Cox to kill, prosecutor says in closing argument

18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

“Cult mom” Lori Vallow “groomed” and “manipulated” her new lover Chad Daybell and brother Alex Cox to murder her two children and Mr Daybell’s first wife, according to the prosecution’s dramatic closing statement.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Lori Vallow ‘manipulated’ Chad Daybell and Alex Cox to kill, says prosecutor

18:17 , Oliver O'Connell

Pictures of Tylee, JJ, and Tammy are put up on the screen in the courtroom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you have your instructions. You are going to go back and deliberate. Read them carefully. Consider all the evidence. Look at all the facts. Look at the timeline. Charles Vallow, Tylee Ryan, JJ, Tammy. All within a short time frame. How are they tied together? Who could have killed those people?” asks Wood.

“We have Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, Alex Cox. Who had the motive to kill those people? Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell. Who benefits from these murders? Lori Vallow gets Tylee’s money, she gets JJ’s money. Chad and Lori get Tammy’s money. What does your reason and common sense tell you? You’ve seen what happened to her children, what happened to Tammy. She never reported the children missing. She lied and she lied and she lied about where they were and while she lied, she kept collecting the money.”

“What does justice for these victims require? It requires a conviction on every count.” Photos of JJ and Tylee and Tammy are on the screen. “You must convict her.”

The prosecution concludes the closing argument for the state.

Court goes on recess before the defence presents its closing argument.

18:13 , Oliver O'Connell

In October 2019, Chad says Tammy has been switched and he asks Lori to seek confirmation on this.

Wood says this shows he isn’t going to act without Lori’s confirmation.

On the day of Tammy’s murder Lori texts “not fun without you”.

The next day: “I miss you more. I can’t wait.”

Later that day the exchange texts about a workout plan as they prepare for their new life together.

18:09 , Oliver O'Connell

Wood brings up the WiFi password.

18:06 , Oliver O'Connell

The jury is shown a slide of text messages from Lori to Chad.

After Charles was shot in the chest, Chad texts Lori: “Tammy is close. JJ is at a 2.”

Wood says: “On July 30, she’s already planning for JJ to go the same way as Charles. To be murdered.”

The conversation between Chad and Lori then turns sexual. Wood argues she uses sex to get what she wants.

18:03 , Oliver O'Connell

Wood moves on to the next slide: “Sex: Affair”.

Text messages between Chad and Lori are displayed on the screen.

“Lori uses sex to manipulate Chad and Chad seeks confirmation from Lori repeatedly,” says Wood.

The next slide says: “Sex: Obstacles to a Future Together.”

Wood points out that when Chad spoke about Tylee and JJ being close to death (their death numbers), Lori responded with: “That is sweet. I miss you desperately.”

He says that there is no doubt she wants these children gone, she never questions or objects to the death numbers.

“She is encouraging their murder. She wants these children gone.”

Wood adds: “This isn’t fantasy. Those children were found dead in real life in Chad Daybell’s backyard.”

17:59 , Oliver O'Connell

Wood displays text messages showing the “grooming” of Alex Cox. “Lori Vallow is telling Alex Cox what to do. You never see Alex tell her what to do - she is always telling him what to do.”

He references one text message where Alex says: “My lips are sealed”.

Lori responds: “Good boy.”

Alex’s wife Zulema Pastenses testified that Alex believed “all of it.”

Wood says: “The only reason religion matters is because it’s the tool they used to manipulate others. Who is the common thread here? Lori Vallow.”

He add that Zulema Pastenes, Melani Boudreaux, and Melanie Gibb were all also manipulated by Lori.

17:57 , Oliver O'Connell

Wood turns to Lori and Chad’s religion — which he describes as Power in his presentation.

He explains: “It does not matter what they believed. It matters what they did. They can believe whatever they want. But when they use that to justify homicide, that changes. They used religion as a tool to manipulate others. Lori manipulated Alex Cox through religion. She manipulated Chad through emotional and sexual control. They manipulated their friends.”

17:55 , Oliver O'Connell

“Get the money and then commit the murder.”

Wood says Lori made sure to make arrangements to secure the money before JJ’s death as well. He explains the amount you need to find for grand theft is $1,000.

“If you find Lori Vallow collected $1,000 that was not intended for her, you must find her guilty of grand theft.”

17:53 , Oliver O'Connell

“We talk about money, power, sex. Lori learned a lesson with Charles Vallow. She learned how to get money before the deaths. Within a week, she’s already talking about the Social Security she’s going to get. It was planned.”

17:52 , Oliver O'Connell

Wood explains how the bodies were found under chunks of concrete and meticulously placed boards.

“You heard the testimony of multiple officers about the smell emanating. And how they found what was a human head. Look at this grave. This was prepared in advance. This was a premeditated murder. You heard testimony that Lori Vallow handed JJ off to Alex Cox.”

He added: “Tylee, JJ and Tammy can’t tell us what happened. But their bodies do.”

For Tammy, he reminds the jury that she was healthy and active and was found with bruises on her arms just as JJ was.

17:49 , Oliver O'Connell

Wood summarises the day of the discovery of Tylee and JJ’s bodies at Chad’s home.

He reminds the jury of the phone call from that morning from Chad saying: “They’re searching the property.”

Wood says you \can hear the fear and guilt in both of their voices.

“They know what’s about to happen.”

17:41 , Oliver O'Connell

Turning to the initial attempt on Tammy’s life, there fifteen texts between Alex and Chad in a short amount of time.

“What ties Alex to Chad? Lori Vallow.”

17:39 , Oliver O'Connell

More location history is shown for the day JJ was buried and Wood reminds the jury about the testimony of Melanie Gibb and David Warwick.

Lori told them JJ was a zombie and acting out. On the morning of 23 September, David asks about JJ. Lori tells him he was climbing up the cabinets and refrigerator so she sent him with Alex Cox.

“An overt act. Alex Cox took possession of JJ that morning.”

Wood now shows where Alex was that morning — in his apartment then on his way to Chad’s house “with JJ Vallow in tow”.

“No matter how many tips police followed up on, they never found JJ. They never found Tylee except here - where Alex’s phone was pinged by GPS,” Wood says pointing to Chad’s backyard.

Noting that Alex was only there for 17 minutes, he says: “That grave was not dug in 17 minutes. It was premeditated, planned.”

17:36 , Oliver O'Connell

Wood talks about Alex Cox’s Google location history and how he was at Chad’s property on 9 September when Tylee was buried there.

“They’ve done the deed. They burned Tylee. They dismembered and buried her.”

17:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Wood says: “Tylee Ryan was seen in Yellowstone National Park and then was never seen again. But she turned up in Chad Daybell’s pet cemetery.”

He references the James and Elena story: “This was all a plan for them to be together without obstacles. Obstacles was the word they used.”

17:32 , Oliver O'Connell

On the screen is a list of searches Alex did about prepping an AR in the cold, shooting through a Dodge Dakota (the same vehicle Tammy drove) and how to drill baffles to make a suppressor.

Wood talks about Chad Daybell searching SSW winds on 8 September.

“The next day he knows he will be burning Tylee Ryan in his firepit and he needs to know which way the wind will be blowing. This is the only time he searches wind direction.”

Wood talks about Lori’s searches: “The day Tammy Daybell is being buried, Lori is looking up wedding dresses in Hawaii. Her boyfriend’s wife is being buried that day and she’s already looking for wedding dresses.”

17:26 , Oliver O'Connell

Wood lists the “overt acts” surrounding the murders.

17:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Wood tells the jury that Lori moving the kids to Rexburg was the catalyst for these murders.

They had to go somewhere where no one knew them. They couldn’t kill them in Phoenix.

They moved Alex there to kill the kids, and they had to do it somewhere no one knew them so they could hide them.

17:22 , Oliver O'Connell

“To be clear, nobody here has been charged for their religious beliefs. They have been charged for using those religious beliefs to justify murder.”

17:20 , Oliver O'Connell

When it comes to the murder charges of Tylee and JJ, Wood says: “Did Lori aid and abed in that murder? Did she encourage the murder? Under the law, if you find Lori aided, abetted, advised or counselled in the murder of Tylee, you must convict her.”

On the conspiracy charge relating to Tammy’s murder, he asks the jurors to consider if Lori was involved. He talks about the grand theft. He tells the jurors to read the instructions carefully and they will find “the state has met its burden beyond a reasonable doubt.”

“A reasonable doubt is based on reason and common sense. Use your reason and your common sense as you deliberate. Malice is one of those words that may mean something in the real world versus in court. Follow the jury instruction. Malice can be expressed where someone says they want it to happen or it can be implied. You will find express and implied malice in this case. There is an abundance of malice.”

“Aiding and abetting is just the same as pulling the trigger. Overt acts - on a conspiracy you must find at least one overt act beyond a reasonable doubt. Overt acts in and of themselves don’t need to be illegal but if it’s an act done in furtherance of conspiracy, then it is an overt act and makes it part of the crime.”

17:16 , Oliver O'Connell

“When it comes to conspiracy, you need to ask yourself, ‘Who murdered these people? Did Lori intend for it to happen and was one of these overt acts accomplished in furtherance of the conspiracy? You only need to find one overt act. The state has met its burden for each overt act - you only need to find one.”

17:14 , Oliver O'Connell

The court is shown a photo of Lori and Chad Daybell on the beach on their wedding day just weeks after Tammy’s death.

“They were freed from the obstacles of their kids and wife. They were dancing on the beach... You have seen plenty of evidence of the affair that took place after they met.”

Wood walks the jury through the timeline.

“Lori Vallow is the one who ties this all together.”

He talks about the attempted shooting of Brandon Boudreaux, Rexburg police getting a call looking for JJ, the investigation into the missing kids, Tammy’s body being exhumed, and the kids being found.

Wood talks about Idaho law and this being a “crime of agreement.”

“Did Lori agree to have Tylee killed and steal that money? Did she intend for those events to actually happen? And did any of the conspirators perform an overt act in furtherance of that agreement?”

17:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Moving on to Tammy Daybell, Wood says: “A loving mother of five and school librarian was murdered in her own home. She was asphyxiated in her own home. The evidence is clear that Lori, Chad and Alex conspired to murder Tammy. Acting together, they caused her death. Her death occurred just a little over a week after a masked gunman attempted to shoot her as she entered her home after a night of church activity.”

“Lori was conveniently gone for both the attempted murder and the successful murder. Those trips were not coincidences. And just like Tylee and JJ, there was money to be gained from Tammy’s death. $430,000 worth of life insurance and Lori wasted no time to benefit from that money.”

17:07 , Oliver O'Connell

“Just like Tylee, Lori never reported that JJ was missing or dead. She kept collecting the money. She lied to multiple people and even asked a friend to lie to the police about JJ’s location. Just like Tylee, after JJ was murdered, she kept collecting the money.”

17:06 , Oliver O'Connell

“JJ’s voice was silenced forever by a strip of duct tape placed across his mouth. A white plastic bag was placed over his head where it was secured tightly with duct tape wrapped around and around from his forehead to his neck. The evidence says he struggled and we’ll never know how long he fought before they wrapped tape around his wrists and ankles. He stopped breathing, his heart stopped beating and he died. It was a brutal, horrific murder of a 7-year-old boy with special needs.”

17:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Tylee Ryan — Lori’s 16-year-old vibrant daughter — a whole life ahead of her. She was murdered. Lori was responsible for her health and safety. Lori, Chad and Alex conspired to kill her. Her body burned and dismembered in such a grotesque manner the medical examiner couldn’t determine a cause of death. What was left of her they dumped in a green bucket and buried in a pet cemetery on top of a piece of her skull. Tylee was gone but Lori kept collecting her money.

Lori never reported Tylee was missing or dead. She lied to multiple people about Tylee’s location, including the police. She had to keep her body hidden to collect the money.

17:04 , Oliver O'Connell

“Money, power, and sex. Beginning in October 2018, Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell set in a motion of events. Along the way, they included her brother Alex Cox to participate in a conspiracy unencumbered and free of obstacles. This plan was driven by Lori Vallow’s desire for and use of money, power and sex. And this plan must end today in the verdicts you render in this trial.”

Court resumes

17:01 , Oliver O'Connell

Court resumes after a brief recess.

Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood will present closing arguments on behalf of the state. Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake gave opening statements in the case a month ago.

During recess, a man got in trouble for taking a picture in front of the sign saying no photography. He was allowed back after deleting the photo.

Closing arguments to begin

16:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Attorney Rob Wood will give closing arguments on behalf of the prosecution.

He asks for a brief sidebar first.

A recess is called.

16:36 , Oliver O'Connell

The jury is advised that they will have access to all of the exhibits used in the course of the trial with the exception of firearms. Some are sealed in bags and containers and jurors are not permitted to open them.

Their verdict must be unanimous and they are to select a foreperson whose duty is to make sure everyone is heard.

Finally, Judge Boyce again reminds the jury that the arguments of the attorneys are not evidence.

Judge Boyce reads the verdict form to the jury

16:31 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Boyce explains: “In this case, you will return a verdict consisting of a series of questions. Although the questions on the verdict form are self-explanatory, I am required to read them to you.”

16:24 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Boyce continues to read instructions and stresses the jury can only find Lori guilty on each charge if the state has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the allegations were indeed committed.

Full indictment in link below:

16:12 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Boyce provides clear definitions as part of the instructions.

Conspiracy to commit murder: “An agreement by two or more persons to commit first-degree murder. They may not agree on every detail. It may be shown by evidence of an oral or written agreement.”

Murder: The killing of a human being with malice or forethought.

16:06 , Oliver O'Connell

16:05 , Oliver O'Connell

While the juror each have the instructions written out, Judge Boyce emphasises a select few — most importantly that the defendant is presumed innocent and the state has the burden of proving her guilt. She is never required to prove her innocence and never has to produce any evidence.

The state must prove beyond reasonable doubt that Lori committed the alleged crimes.

“If there is a reasonable doubt, you must find the defendant not guilty.”

Related to that, the defendant has the right to not testify.

15:59 , Oliver O'Connell

Jury instructions were finalised yesterday. There are 39 of them. Each juror will receive a copy.

The jurors are now seated with notebooks, coffee, and water.

15:55 , Oliver O'Connell

On count five, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder of Tammy Daybell, Judge Boyce also denies the motion to acquit as well as the sixth count, the actual murder of Tammy.

The grand theft charge is also upheld and the case will move forward to the jury.

Jurors will now be brought in for final instructions.

15:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Boyce denies the motion to acquit for both charges relating to JJ Vallow (conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception; and first-degree murder).

15:49 , Oliver O'Connell

“The court must deny a motion if there is some evidence of guilt presented at trial,” Judge Boyce says.

“Obviously this has been a long trial with a lot of witnesses and a lot of evidence presented.”

Judge Boyce says substantial evidence has been presented during the trial and goes through the charges noting evidence presented to support each of them that shows signs of potential guilt.

He denies the motion for acquittal for both count one and count two, which relate to Tylee Ryan (conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception; and first-degree murder).

Court is on the record

15:39 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Steven Boyce is on the bench and explains that first, the court will go through jury instructions with the jurors before hearing the closing arguments.

There is also a pending motion filed by the defence for an acquittal. Judge Boyce says he will first rule on the acquittal.

15:37 , Oliver O'Connell

Sitting in the reserved prosecution rows are a number of people who played important roles in the investigation.

Per Nate Eaton of East Idaho News, they include Rexburg Police Chief Josh Rhodes, Asst Chief Gary Hagen, Det Ron Ball and all Det Ray Hermosillo, as well as Larry and Kay Woodcock, Gerry Vallow (Charles’ brother), retired FBI Special Agent Doug Hart and another FBI agent, along with Rex Conner, Lori Daybell’s uncle.

15:34 , Oliver O'Connell

With proceedings about to get underway, Larry Woodcock — JJ Vallow’s grandfather — has been passing around a bowl of Lifesavers mints.

The bailiff gives the usual instructions to the audience with a little more emphasis than usual: “Today is a very big day. Thousands of manhours have been put into this case and we want to give the jury as much respect as we can. Please silence your phones. If you don’t know how to silence them, turn them off. No photos or video in the courtroom. The Lifesavers are a double-edged sword - please open the wrappers now.”

Lori Vallow is seated with her defence team and is chatting with Jim Archibald and John Thomas.

The prosecutors seem relaxed as four years of work comes to a head.

What can we expect today?

15:27 , Oliver O'Connell

Today the jury will hear closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence before being given instructions before they deliberate.

Lori Vallow faces the following charges:

• Conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception (Tylee Ryan)

• First-degree murder (Tylee Ryan)

• Conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception (JJ Vallow)

• First-degree murder (JJ Vallow)

• Conspiracy to commit first-degree murder (Tammy Daybell)

• First-degree murder (Tammy Daybell)

• Grand theft

• Insurance fraud

• Insurance fraud

People are lining up at court and Vallow defence team has arrived

15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

People are lining up at the Ada County Courthouse and Lori Vallow’s defence team has arrived.

Chilling final photos of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan

14:40 , Rachel Sharp

Tylee was last seen alive on 8 September 2019 when she, Lori Vallow, Alex Cox and JJ visited Yellowstone National Park.

Prosecutors believe she was murdered that night and buried in Chad Daybell’s yard the following morning.

JJ was last seen alive on 22 September 2019. Lori Vallow’s friends Melanie Gibb and David Warwick say the seven-year-old at her apartment that night as they were staying with her that weekend. The next morning he was gone.

JJ was found buried in the same red pyjamas seen in this final photo.

WATCH: Closing arguments to begin in Idaho

14:20 , Rachel Sharp

Who is the real Lori Vallow?

14:00 , Rachel Sharp

Lori Vallow was once seen as a doting mother.

Now, she is on trial for the murders of her two youngest children and the ex-wife of her new husband Chad Daybell in a chilling case with a doomsday cult at its core.

The 49-year-old mother-of-three is charged with the murders of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, who vanished without a trace in September 2019.

Almost one year later, their bodies were found buried on the grounds of Mr Daybell’s property in Idaho.

She is also charged with the first-degree murder of Mr Daybell’s first wife Tammy Daybell who died suddenly one month after the children’s disappearance.

So who is the woman at the centre of this chilling case?

Lori Vallow: The ‘doomsday cult mom’ on trial for her children’s murders

Closing arguments set to begin

13:40 , Rachel Sharp

The fate of “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow will soon lie in the hands of the jury as her dramatic murder trial draws to a close.

Closing arguments are set to begin in Ada County Court in Boise, Idaho, on Thursday morning before the jury begins deliberations.

Ms Vallow, 49, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife Tammy Daybell, 49.

Tylee and JJ were last seen alive in September 2019. In June 2020, their remains were found buried on the Daybell property. Tammy died one month after their disappearance in October 2019.

WATCH: Video shows 'doomsday mom' in Hawaii as police serve court order

13:20 , Andrea Blanco

Lori Vallow will not present any defence witnesses in trial for her children’s murders

13:00 , Andrea Blanco

The defence in the murder trial of “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow has rested their case without presenting any witnesses.

Shortly after Idaho prosecutors rested the state’s case at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, on Tuesday, Ms Vallow’s attorney Jim Archibald told the court that after consulting with his client, the defence was ready to proceed with closing arguments.

Ms Vallow will not take the stand in her own defence, East Idaho News reported.

“We don’t believe the state has proven its case so the defence rests,” Mr Archibald said on Tuesday.

Ms Vallow is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife Tammy, 49.

What charges do Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell face?

12:00 , Andrea Blanco

Ms Vallow and Mr Daybell were charged with the murders of Tylee and JJ in May 2021 – almost one year after their bodies had been discovered.

They are each charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy and grand theft in connection with the deaths of JJ and Tylee and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Tammy. Mr Daybell is also charged with the first-degree murder of Tammy.

The couple are also charged with related financial crimes with Ms Vallow facing grand theft and insurance fraud counts for applying for Social Security benefits for Tylee and JJ after they died.

Prosecutors say that the couple conspired with Cox to kill the children and Mr Daybell’s wife both as part of their doomsday beliefs – but also to collect life insurance money and the kids’ social security and survivor benefits.

“All of these overt acts were done so Lori could eventually be with Chad Daybell and reportedly complete their mission here on earth,” according to an investigative report.

“This belief system, lust and greed would also lead to the deaths of Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell.”

In Arizona, Ms Vallow is also charged with conspiring to murder her ex-husband Charles Vallow with Cox.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s office announced that it did not charge Mr Daybell as well with Charles’ murder – but only because there is “no reasonable likelihood of conviction”.

As Lori Vallow Daybell ‘doomsday cult’ murder trial nears an end, what have we learned?

11:00 , Andrea Blanco

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp delves into the deeply disturbing tale of suspected murders, unexplained deaths and apocalyptic cult beliefs about killing zombies which surround her and her doomsday author husband Chad Daybell:

What we know about the Lori Vallow Daybell ‘doomsday cult’ murder trial

Lori Vallow’s disturbing texts revealed: ‘A reason to scream’

10:00 , Andrea Blanco

Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell exchanged texts in which they discussed inflicting pain on children and giving them “a reason to scream”, the jury at her trial for murder heard.

The Independent’s Oliver O’Connell has more:

Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell’s disturbing texts revealed

Lori Vallow’s friend says she threatened to ‘cut up’ and bury her one month after children disappeared

09:00 , Andrea Blanco

Audrey Barattiero claims Lori Vallow burst into laughter and told her ‘there would be blood and bleach and something about trash bags. She would bury me in a place nobody would ever find me’

Read more:

Lori Vallow’s friend Audrey Barattiero says she threatened to kill and bury her

Lori Vallow ignored stepsons’ pleas as she exchanged romantic texts with Chad Daybell after husband’s death

08:00 , Andrea Blanco

As Charles Vallow’s sons begged for information about their father’s death, “cult mom” Lori Vallow exchanged texts with new love.

The Independent’s Oliver O’Connell reports:

Lori Vallow trial hears romantic texts from Chad Daybell days after husband’s death

WATCH: Bikini-clad Lori Vallow is served court papers for missing kids as she sits by Hawaii resort pool in new video

07:00 , Andrea Blanco

Lori Vallow’s DNA found on duct tape wrapped around son JJ’s corpse, jury hears

06:00 , Andrea Blanco

Lori Vallow‘s hair was found on duct tape wrapped around the corpse of her seven-year-old son, according to new evidence presented at the start of the fifth week of her murder trial.

Lori Vallow’s DNA found on duct tape wrapped around son JJ’s corpse, jury hears

Lori Vallow’s chilling internet searches and trove of burner phones revealed at murder trial

05:00 , Andrea Blanco

Chilling internet searches have revealed that “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow shopped for life insurance policies for her children two months before they were murdered and buried on her new lover Chad Daybell’s property.

FBI analyst Nicole Heideman took the stand at Ms Vallow’s murder trial in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, to testify about the shocking discoveries on the 49-year-old’s cellphones, email addresses and online search history.

Jurors heard how Ms Vallow’s “lollytime4ever” Gmail account was used in July 2019 to google “gerber life insurance policy” and “life insurance for children – the Grow-Up Plan”.

Gerber Life Insurance’s Grow-Up Plan is advertised on its website as a plan with “locked-in childhood premium”, with coverage that “will automatically double at no extra cost”.

“Give them $50,000 in coverage today and watch it become $100,000 during age 18,” it read.

Agent Heideman testified that – a few days after the search – the same Gmail account searched for how to sell a service dog.

At the time, Ms Vallow’s two youngest children Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “JJ” Vallow, seven, were still alive and well. JJ, who had autism, used a service dog.

Two months later, in September 2019, the children vanished without a trace.

Tylee was last seen alive on 8 September 2019 when she, JJ, Ms Vallow and Ms Vallow’s brother Alex Cox went to Yellowstone National Park. JJ then disappeared weeks later on 22 September 2019, when he suddenly vanished from his mother’s house overnight.

In June 2020, the remains of the two children were found buried on Mr Daybell’s property.

Chad Daybell says wife Tammy is ‘clearly dead’ in disturbing 911 call weeks before he married Lori Vallow

04:00 , Andrea Blanco

Chad Daybell made a chilling 911 call saying that his wife Tammy was “clearly dead” after he had allegedly conspired with Lori Vallow to murder her so they could run off to Hawaii to get married.

The 911 call, from 19 October 2019, was played to jurors at Ms Vallow’s trial in Boise, Idaho, where the so-called “doomsday cult mom” is charged with the murders of Tammy and her two children Joshua “JJ” Vallow, seven, and Tylee Ryan, 16.

In the call, one of Tammy’s sons tells the dispatcher they have just found his 49-year-old mother on the ground “frozen”.

“We just found my mom. She’s on the ground frozen... or she’s stiff. I don’t know,” he says.

Mr Daybell, who is standing trial separately for the murders at a later date, then comes on the phone and makes an abrupt statement about his wife.

“I’m Chad, the husband. She’s clearly dead,” he says.

Mr Daybell appears to be crying in the call as he says the phrases “oh no,” “oh man” and “she’s frozen”.

Now, he is accused of killing her by asphyxiation so he could marry Ms Vallow, they could get access to Tammy’s life insurance money and in pursuit of their cult beliefs.

Tammy was an otherwise healthy 49-year-old when she died suddenly that day – around a month after Ms Vallow’s two children JJ and Tylee were allegedly murdered and buried on Chad Daybell’s property in Rexburg, Idaho.

At the time, Mr Daybell declined an autopsy for his wife and her mysterious death was ruled natural causes.

Weeks later – on 5 November 2019 – Mr Daybell and Ms Vallow flew to Hawaii and got married on a beach.

Why wasn’t Melani Pawlowski indicted?

03:00 , Andrea Blanco

Addressing doubts on why Lori’s niece Melani Pawlowski was not charged in connection with the murders of JJ and Tylee, Law&Crime producer Cathy Russo said she believed the prosecution likely didn’t think they couldn’t build a strong case against Ms Pawlowski.

“It’s ridiculous what some of these women around Lori believed,” Ms Russo said. “And Melanie knew when Lori said, ‘It’s coming to an end this week,’ when talking about Charles and the demon coming out of Charles’ body ... These women, Zulema and Melanie, they participated in these castings.”

“I think she’s a wild card and it was not worth putting her in the stand.”

Who are the key players in the Lori Vallow trial?

02:00 , Andrea Blanco

In a courtroom in Idaho, “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow is now on trial for the murders of her two youngest children and her lover’s wife.

Here are the key players in the sprawling case:

Victims and witnesses in the Lori Vallow Daybell trial

Lori Vallow trial hears autopsy details that show Tammy Daybell was likely restrained during her murder

01:00 , Andrea Blanco

Tammy Daybell, the late wife of doomsday author Chad Daybell, was likely restrained while she was asphyxiated, the Utah state medical examiner told the jury in the trial of Lori Vallow.

Ms Vallow is currently on trial in Boise, Idaho, after being charged with the murders of Tammy, 49; and her two children Joshua “JJ” Vallow, seven; and Tylee Ryan, 16.

Mr Daybell, who married Ms Vallow on 5 November 2019 just weeks after his wife’s sudden death on 19 October, is standing trial separately for the murders at a later date.

Dr Erik Christensen explained to the jury how he had overseen the exhumation of Tammy’s body in December 2019 in Utah and then performed her autopsy.

The Independent’s Oliver O’Connell has more:

Lori Vallow trial hears Tammy Daybell was likely restrained during her murder

Verdict in Lori Vallow murder trial to be livestreamed

Thursday 11 May 2023 00:00 , Andrea Blanco

The judge presiding over Lori Vallow’s murder trial has ruled that the court will stream the verdict of the high-profile case once it’s reached.

The decision was made public on the fourth week of Ms Vallow’s trial over charges of conspiracy to kill her children JJ Vallow, seven; and Tylee Ryan, 16; as well as his doomsday preacher husband Chad Daybell’s wife Tammy Daybell.

Last year, Judge Steven Boyce banned cameras from the courtroom, citing concerns that they could prevent a fair trial. It came after Ms Vallow’s attorneys contended that one news organisation abused the privilege by repeatedly zooming in on Ms Vallow’s face during previous hearings. Prosecutors sided with the defence and said the cameras should be banned as news coverage could make it hard for the court to find an impartial jury.

A coalition of more than 30 news organisations including The Associated Press and East Idaho News asked the judge to reject the motion but the court ultimately decided that news organisations would no longer be able to shoot still photography or videos inside the courtroom.

Judge Boyce stated in his Tuesday ruling that the reasoning behind the ban loses validity upon the reaching of a verdict, allowing the court to stream the final chapter of the weeks-long trial through its YouTube channel, according to East Idaho News.

Bikini-clad Lori Vallow is served court papers for missing kids as she sits by Hawaii resort pool in new video

Wednesday 10 May 2023 23:00 , Andrea Blanco

A newly resurfaced video shows the moment “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow was served court orders to produce her children, who had been killed four months before, while vacationing at a pool resort in Hawaii.

The Independent has more:

Bikini-clad Lori Vallow is served court papers for missing kids in new video

New verdict form approved

Wednesday 10 May 2023 21:44 , Andrea Blanco

Throughout the day, the prosecution, the defence and Judge Boyce have gone through the questionnaire that will be handed to the jury once closing arguments are delivered. Most of the objections from the parties pertained to the wording in the questions jurors will be asked to answer “guilty” or “not guilty” to.

Court is adjourned for the day.

Jury will reconvene on Thursday morning.

Why wasn’t Melani Pwlowski indicted?

Wednesday 10 May 2023 21:40 , Andrea Blanco

Addressing doubts on why Lori’s niece Melani Pawlowski was not charged in connection with the murders of JJ and Tylee, Law&Crime producer Cathy Russo said she believed the prosecution likely didn’t think they couldn’t build a strong case against Ms Pawlowski.

“It’s ridiculous what some of these women around Lori believed,” Ms Russo said. “And Melanie knew when Lori said, ‘It’s coming to an end this week,’ when talking about Charles and the demon coming out of Charles’ body ... These women, Zulema and Melanie, they participated in these castings.”

“I think she’s a wild card and it was not worth putting her in the stand.”

As closing arguments are set to begin on Thursday, who have been the key players in the Lori Vallow trial?

Wednesday 10 May 2023 20:30 , Andrea Blanco

In a courtroom in Idaho, “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow is now on trial for the murders of her two youngest children and her lover’s wife.

The 49-year-old mother-of-three is charged with the murders of daughter Tylee Ryan, 16; and son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7; both of whom vanished without a trace in September 2019.

Here are the key players in the sprawling case:

Victims and witnesses in the Lori Vallow Daybell trial

Prosecutors, defence and judge met this morning

Wednesday 10 May 2023 20:29 , Andrea Blanco

Judge Boyce told the court that he had a meeting this morning with the defence and the prosecution to discuss jury instructions that will be given tomorrow when closing arguments begin.

Lori Vallow’s DNA found on duct tape wrapped around son JJ’s corpse, jury hears

Wednesday 10 May 2023 20:00 , Andrea Blanco

Lori Vallow‘s hair was found on duct tape wrapped around the corpse of her seven-year-old son, according to new evidence presented at the start of the fifth week of her murder trial.

Prosecutors allege that Ms Vallow and Mr Daybell conspired with Ms Vallow’s brother Alex Cox to murder Tammy, JJ and Tylee as part of their doomsday cult beliefs – but also for financial purposes so that they could collect Tammy’s life insurance money and the children’s social security and survivor benefits.

The Independent’s Oliver O’Connell has more:

Lori Vallow’s DNA found on duct tape wrapped around son JJ’s corpse, jury hears

Lori Vallow trial hears how killer tried to chop up Tylee’s body as her blood found on pickaxe

Wednesday 10 May 2023 19:24 , Andrea Blanco

FBI Agent Douglas Halepaska, a forensic examiner in the firearms and tool marks division, testified at the doomsday cult mom’s murder trial about the injuries found on 16-year-old Tylee Ryan’s skeletal remains.

He described how Tylee’s hip bones and sacrum (the bone at the base of the spine) had injuries and fractures caused by a “chopping-type action”.

Mr Halepaska’s testimony was followed by that of Katie Dace, a forensic psychologist with the Idaho State Police, who revealed Tylee’s blood was found on a pickaxe seized from the Daybell home.

While Mr Halepaska could not say with complete certainty what tool had caused the damage to Tylee’s skeletal remains, he said it looked like a knife, hatchet, cleaver, machete or similar tool.

Some of the chopping and stabbing went all the way down to the hard part of the hip bone, causing it to fracture, he testified.

Chad Daybell claimed Lori Vallow didn’t have children as police launched nine-month search for JJ and Tylee

Wednesday 10 May 2023 18:39 , Andrea Blanco

Chad Daybell claimed his new wife Lori Vallow didn’t have any children as authorities launched a massive search for her son and daughter that ended with the discovery of their bodies nine months later.

Tammy’s sister Samantha Gwilliam testified for the prosecution about how she got a call from Mr Daybell telling her that her sibling was dead on 19 October 2019– claiming she died in her sleep after being very sick.

A month later, she told how “devastated” she was to learn that Mr Daybell had married Ms Vallow just weeks after Tammy’s death.

“You don’t get married four weeks after you just buried your wife of almost 30 years. You just don’t do that,” she said.

She told the court she confronted Mr Daybell about it and he told her his new wife was named Lori Ryan and that her husband had died recently too – from a heart attack.

He also told her that “there’s no children and they’re going to be empty nesters,” she said.

In reality, Ms Vallow’s fourth husband Charles Vallow was shot dead by her brother Alex Cox in July 2019.

And Ms Vallow had two young children – JJ and Tylee – who vanished without a trace in September 2019. Their remains were found months later buried on the Daybell property.

After doing her research about her sister’s husband’s new wife, Ms Gwilliam said that she learned about Charles’ death and also noticed a comment on his obituary from JJ’s grandmother Kay Woodcock saying “we will take care of JJ”.

That’s when she realised that there was in fact children involved, she said.

Lori Vallow ignored stepsons’ pleas as she exchanged romantic texts with Chad Daybell after husband’s death

Wednesday 10 May 2023 17:58 , Andrea Blanco

As Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow sent romantic messages to each other, Charles Vallow’s sons Zach and Cole pleaded with their stepmother to be told the basic details of how their father had died after she had nonchalantly informed them of his passing in a text.

Meanwhile, Mr Daybell sent messages professing his feelings for her and even an elaborate romance story, sections of which were read out in court.

Lori Vallow trial hears romantic texts from Chad Daybell days after husband’s death

Lori Vallow will not present any defence witnesses in trial for her children’s murders

Wednesday 10 May 2023 17:10 , Andrea Blanco

The defence in the murder trial of “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow rested their case on Tuesday without presenting any witnesses.

Shortly after Idaho prosecutors rested the state’s case at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Ms Vallow’s attorney Jim Archibald told the court that after consulting with his client, the defence is ready to proceed with closing arguments. Ms Vallow will not take the stand in her own defence, East Idaho News reports.

“We don’t believe the state has proven its case so the defence rests,” Mr Archibald said.

Ms Vallow is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife Tammy, 49. The state has called roughly 60 witnesses throughout the five weeks of the trial, while the defence called none, according to CourtTV.

Judge Steven Boyce, state prosecutors and Ms Vallow’s defence attorneys will meet on Wednesday to sort out jury instructions. Meanwhile, jurors were excused until Thursday morning, when closing arguments are set to begin.

Discussions about jury instructions will be heard privately

Wednesday 10 May 2023 16:49 , Andrea Blanco

Arguments will be heard publicly, however.

WATCH: Video shows Lori Vallow in Hawaii as police serve court order

Wednesday 10 May 2023 16:19 , Andrea Blanco

Prosecutors and defence attorneys to meet with Judge Boyce

Wednesday 10 May 2023 15:43 , Andrea Blanco

All parties will work on jury instructions.

Jury is off for the day.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website