Chad Daybell trial: Husband of convicted ‘apocalypse’ mother Lori Vallow to begin in Idaho, accused of killing children

The man accused of murdering his wife’s two children is now on trial in Idaho.

Chad Daybell, Lori Vallow’s husband, who was convicted of the same crime nearly a year ago in the so-called “apocalyptic plot,” faces multiple murder charges.

This trial is expected to last about nine weeks, and attorneys will question potential jurors about hardships and biases.

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“This is a death penalty case. So they’re also looking for people who might be hesitant to write Chad Daybell’s name in recognition that he should get the death penalty,” said ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire. “We found that many people in this country may, in theory, believe in the death penalty, but it’s very different when you’re the person who signs that letter to say that someone dies.”

In 2019, Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16, were reported missing, sparking a months-long search.

Prosecutors say Vallow and End of the World author Daybell claimed their children were zombies and killed them.

Vallow was already in custody at the time of the discovery and was heard speaking to Daybell in a jailhouse phone call during the search of his home.

valve: “What, are they in the house?”

Day bell: “No, they’re on the property.”

Day bell: “They are looking for…”

Less than an hour later, Daybell was arrested.

Vallow and Daybell were charged with the children’s murders. The criminal complaint alleges that Daybell endorsed religious beliefs that justified the killings of the two children.

SEE ALSO: Lori Vallow’s best friend testifies about the extreme religious beliefs of the mother accused of the ‘apocalypse’

Vallow was also convicted of murdering her husband’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. After a jury found her guilty of killing the three people, she expressed no remorse.

Daybell is also charged with the murder of his ex-wife and two counts of insurance fraud.

Jury selection is expected to last two weeks.

“I certainly think, based on the previous trial, that Mr. Daybell has a very big hill to climb,” said Eric Rudich, managing partner and senior litigation consultant at Blueprint’s Trial Consulting.

Daybell has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If he is convicted of murder, he faces the death penalty.