BOISE, Idaho — Chad Guy Daybell was sentenced to death Saturday, June 1, making him the ninth inmate on Idaho's death row.
Daybell was found guilty by jury two days prior for the first-degree murders of his first wife, Tammy Daybell, and his current wife Lori Vallow-Daybell's two children, Joshua "JJ" Vallow and Tylee Ryan.
After less than six hours of jury deliberations in Daybell's capital murder trial, the 12 jurors found the East Idaho man guilty of murder in the first degree on all three counts.
Daybell's first-degree murder convictions and the additional three 'conspiracy to commit murder' charges elevated his sentencing possibilities to the death penalty; a sentence taken off the table for co-conspirator, 50-year-old Lori Vallow, due to insufficient review of evidence.
Daybell received a guilty verdict on all eight of the charges he faced.
Tammy Daybell, 49, was found dead in she and Chad's bedroom in October 2019. Her death was initially thought to be from natural causes. After the strange disappearance of Vallow's two children in September 2019 began to draw suspicion, Tammy's body was exhumed and ruled death by asphyxiation in December 2019.
Lori Vallow's children, 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, were found buried in shallow graves on Chad Daybell’s Rexburg property in June 2020 after disappearing in September 2019. The decaying remains of Tylee were found in charred, burnt pieces; while JJ was found suffocated and bound in duct tape.
The crimes occurred after a series of bizarre twists, turns and allegations made by Vallow and Daybell, in which they held firm in cult-like beliefs that categorized people "zombies," and "dark" or "light."
The self-proclaimed "Doomsday Prophet" and "Doomsday Mom" were both charged with the murders, among other charges related to the crimes.
Vallow was found guilty by jury in early 2023 and sentenced to five life terms in prison without parole on July 31, 2023, following her guilty verdict for the murders of her two children and conspiracy to murder Tammy
Daybell.
For Chad to receive the death penalty, Idaho law requires all jurors in capital punishment cases to unanimously find the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree.
Daybell's trial began April 1, 2024, with jury selection and concluded May 29 with closing arguments. The verdict of guilty was reached within five and a half hours.
Live Updates:
1:20 p.m.: Family members of JJ Vallow, Tylee Ryan and Tammy Daybell also spoke to reporters outside the courthouse.
12:58 p.m.: Prosecution gathers outside the courthouse to deliver some remarks. The team of four prosecutors gather with law enforcement officers. Lindsey Blake talks about being a new mom, and how this case hit her hard. She discusses her appreciation for all the work done by her team, law enforcement, and the jury. "Justice has been served for the victims in this case," she states. Blake took her position on in 2021 - nearly two years into the case. Blake sends high hopes to Arizona, where Lori Vallow will be facing charges for the death of Charles Vallow, her fourth husband, and the attempted shooting of Brandon Boudreaux. Rob Wood now talks about the recovery of the children. He extends many thanks for the assistance and partnership of Madison County and Fremont County. Wood calls Blake "courageous" for taking on this trial, when she didn't have to.
12:25 p.m.: Judge Boyce states that Chad Daybell has the right to speak up during this hearing, if he would like. Chad opts to not speak up. Chad Daybell is facing a 15 year sentence on count seven and there is an additional 15 year sentence for count nine. Judge Boyce states he has reviewed Idaho Code, which means he must go through some criteria for these sentences. Judge Boyce considers the fact that Chad has been incarcerated for some time and has been a well-behaved inmate. But with the murder charges attached to this trial, Judge Boyce considers that as well. No fines have been ordered, as he has received the death penalty. Sentencing concludes on count seven and nine. Judge Boyce talks about the appeals process for Chad Daybell. Court concludes the special sentencing hearing, with counsel not making additional comments. Court is in recess.
12:20 p.m.: Judge Boyce is required by the state to go through a sentencing proceeding. Daybell plead not guilty to all nine of his counts, but after this trial, the jury has found him guilty on all nine. Judge Boyce reviews hearings that have taken place over the years, leading up to Daybell's conviction. The state is going to make a statement about their sentencing recommendations. They ask for concurrent prison time, and they recommend restitution to pay back insurance companies.
12:13 p.m.: Court is back on the record for a special sentencing hearing, for the insurance fraud charges Chad Daybell is facing. The jury has been brought back in. Judge Steven Boyce goes through the death penalty requirements. The court sentences Chad Daybell to death for the murders of Tammy Daybell, Tylee Ryan, and JJ Vallow. The court now takes up counts seven and nine, which are insurance fraud charges.
11:39 a.m.: There is a sentencing hearing take place today, to go over the insurance fraud charges. There is a brief recess in 30 minutes. Court will resume at 12:10 p.m.
11:36 a.m.: Part two is completely read, and concludes. Judge Boyce brings up that there is a special complexity of the verdict form, so he provides a laymen's term - it is appropriate to attach the death penalty. Chad Daybell is sentenced to death.
11:34 a.m.: The clerk's mic keeps cutting out, so they provide her a new mic. She continues to read the verdict form.
11:28 a.m.: The clerk reads the aggravating circumstances, or the burden the state had to prove. The jury finds that the aggravating circumstances for JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell were met. They also found the same conclusion for Tylee Ryan's death. Because the jury found the answer to all the aggravating circumstances with "yes", the court moves onto part two of the verdict form. ALL aggravating circumstances were found.
11:24 a.m.: The juror has sat down. Judge Boyce asks for the verdict form from the bailiff. Judge Boyce talks about how long and complicated the form is, it will take a moment for Judge Boyce to review the form. It is properly filled out and dated. The clerk will be reading the form, and Judge Boyce says she can either sit or stand as the form is quite long.
11:18 a.m.: The public has been allowed into the courtroom for the jury's decision on Chad Daybell's sentencing. The courtroom stream has begun, and Judge Boyce calls court to order. The four prosecutors are present, as well as defense attorney John Prior and defendant Chad Daybell. Before the verdict is read, Judge Boyce talks about how there was a jury question that came in this morning. The jurors are brought in.
11:03 a.m.: The jury has reached a decision, court will resume at 11:15 a.m.
9:37 a.m.: Jury is still in deliberations. They began at 9 a.m.
8:39 a.m.: The jury returns for the second day of sentencing deliberations.
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