Lori Vallow Daybell Set to Conclude Arizona Trial Without Presenting Witnesses or Evidence

PHOENIX—Lori Vallow Daybell has indicated her intention to rest her case in the Arizona trial where she faces charges of conspiring to murder her estranged husband.

On Wednesday, the prosecution concluded its argument against Vallow Daybell, who must confirm her decision on Monday regarding whether she will proceed without presenting any evidence or witnesses in her defense.

If she proceeds as planned, closing arguments will take place on Monday.

Despite not being a lawyer, Vallow Daybell has opted to represent herself and has encountered challenges in securing witnesses. Although she has successfully served subpoenas on a few, a judge has removed two individuals from her witness list, and at least five others remain unserved or unlocated.

Prosecutors allege that she conspired with her brother, Alex Cox, to murder Charles Vallow to obtain money from his life insurance policy and to marry her then-boyfriend, Chad Daybell, an Idaho author known for his religious novels focused on prophecies and apocalyptic themes.

Cox, who claimed to have shot Vallow in self-defense, died five months later due to what medical examiners identified as a blood clot in his lungs. His account has since been brought into question.

Vallow Daybell has entered a plea of not guilty. Should she be found guilty, she could face a life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 25 years.

She has previously been convicted in Idaho of murdering her two youngest children and conspiring to kill a romantic rival, resulting in a life sentence.

Last week during the Arizona trial, Adam Cox, Vallow Daybell’s brother, testified for the prosecution, asserting his belief that his sister was involved in the murder of Charles Vallow.

This trial concerning Vallow’s death is the first of two criminal trials she faces in Arizona; she is expected to face another trial in early June for allegedly conspiring to murder Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of her niece, Melani Pawlowski.

By Jacques Billeaud