Chad Daybell was visibly shaking as graphic photos of Lori Vallow’s children’s remains were shown at his triple murder trial.
On the second day of testimony Thursday, Rexburg police detective Rey Hermosillo took the court through their horrific process of digging up the charred remains of Tylee, 16, and the bound body of JJ, seven, who were found buried on Daybell’s property in 2020.
Spectators at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho noticed the “doomsday cult” author start to tremble as the gruesome pictures were shown to the jury, according to East Idaho News.
During opening statements this week, prosecutors said Daybell’s “desire for sex, power, and money led to the murders” of his former wife Tammy Daybell and Vallow’s children, and that he sought to eliminate “obstacles” in pursuit of a life with Vallow.
Daybell’s defence attorney John Prior, however, said his client was manipulated by Vallow.
Last year, Vallow was convicted in the three murders and sentenced to life in prison. Jurors heard how she, Daybell and her late brother Alex Cox were fuelled, in part, by their bizarre cult beliefs.
If convicted, Daybell faces either the death penalty or life in prison.
