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Lori Vallow Daybell is on trial in Maricopa County, Arizona, on one charge of conspiracy to commit the murder of Charles Vallow, her fourth husband. Nate Eaton is live in the courtroom with updates. Please excuse any typos. Times listed below are in Mountain Standard Time, so they are an hour behind Idaho. (Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time.) The most recent updates are at the top.
10:50 a.m. Sidebar is over. Treena Kay just motioned to Brandon Boudreaux to walk out of the courtroom with her. They exited the room. Judge says the jurors are assembled on another floor. Court will resume shortly.
10:46 a.m. Sidebar has been underway for ten minutes now. Lori appears passionate as she addresses the judge. Again, this is all on headphones as white noise plays in the courtroom so we don’t know what she or the prosecution are arguing.
10:43 a.m. An exclusionary rule is in effect for witnesses in this trial meaning they can not be in the courtroom while other witnesses testify. Brandon is listed as a defense witness, but he was never served a subpoena. Lori also had me on her witness list but we argued against having me on her list and the judge struck me from the list during a hearing last week. You can watch that here if you missed it.
10:37 a.m. Sidebars in this trial are different as Lori is the defendant and can’t approach the judge. The prosecutor, judge and Lori all put on headphones with microphones attached and speak to each other while white noise is played in the courtroom.
10:36 a.m. Lori says she can’t give more information without giving away her entire defense. Judge says witnesses can’t just be called to talk about the weather or whatnot. “His relevance that day is to an intervention that day on me, the family.” Beresky requests a sidebar.
10:35 a.m. Treena says “things” and says she needs more relevant information as to what Brandon will testify about. Beresky asks Lori for more specifics. She responds, “His communication with my husband up until the date of his incident.” Beresky asks what the communication is and how it is not hearsay. Lori says they are communications with Brandon to Charles.
10:34 a.m. Treena Kay mentions that Brandon Boudreaux is in the courtroom and he is a defense witness. Boudreaux has not been served with a subpoena and Treena asks that he be allowed in the courtroom for the trial. Beresky asks Lori if this is a witness who has relevant information and will likely be called as a witness. Lori says yes. “He will be called to talk about things he was involved in with my husband during that time,” Lori responds.
10:33 a.m. One juror has not arrived. Once the juror arrives, opening statements will begin.
10:32 a.m. Beresky will speak with the juror during the lunch hour and says he can write a letter to the man’s employer. Someone’s phone goes off and the judge tells everyone to silence their phones.
10:30 a.m. Lori reads the letter and gives a thumbs up. She turns around and smiles at her advisory attorneys. Beresky says the same juror called his office last week and the employer has a problem with jury service. “We do have alternate jurors,” Beresky says. Treena Kay asks that the juror remain on the panel. Lori has no objections to him being dismissed.
10:29 a.m. Lori Vallow Daybell just walked in. Wearing a black dress suit with white blouse. Judge says he has a letter from one of the juror’s employer that he needs the state to look at. After Treena Kay looks at the letter, Beresky asks her to show Daybell.
10:24 a.m. Judge Beresky is on the bench. He made it clear that week that he wants to start on time.
10:21 a.m. Judge Justin Beresky is allowing a video camera in the courtroom but is requiring a 30 minute delay for livestreaming or broadcasting. You can watch here.
10:17 a.m. Kay Woodcock and Gerry Vallow, Charles Vallow’s siblings, are in the courtroom. Brandon Boudreaux is also here. Rex Conner, Lori’s uncle, and two of her cousins are in the courtroom.
10:15 a.m. Maricopa County Prosecutor Treena Kay is at the state’s table with a paralegal and Det. Nathan Duncan. Lori’s legal advisors are on the defense side. Lori is not yet in the courtroom.
10:13 a.m. Every seat is full in the courtroom. Several people won’t be able to watch inside. One lady just asked if she could stand or sit on the floor. Court staff say that isn’t allowed.
10:12 a.m. We are in the courtroom for day 1 of Lori Vallow Daybell’s conspiracy to commit murder trial. Around 15-20 reporters/media are here. The public is filing here. The line started around 5:30 a.m. Here’s a picture our videographer Jordan Wood took around 7:30 a.m.
English (United States) ·