Photo: Madison County Jail
Lori Vallow Daybell received life sentences on Friday (July 25) in Arizona for two murder conspiracy convictions, marking the conclusion of a complex legal journey. Known for her doomsday religious beliefs, Vallow Daybell was found guilty of conspiring to kill her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, and her niece's ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux, in separate trials this spring in Maricopa County.
Vallow Daybell, already serving life sentences in Idaho for the murders of her two children and conspiring to kill her husband's first wife, was accused of plotting with her brother, Alex Cox, to carry out these crimes. Prosecutors argued that she conspired to murder Charles Vallow to collect his $1 million life insurance policy and marry Chad Daybell, an author of religious novels. Boudreaux survived a drive-by shooting attempt, which prosecutors linked to Vallow Daybell and Cox.
Judge Justin Beresky, who presided over the trials, sentenced Vallow Daybell to two consecutive life sentences, each with the possibility of parole after 25 years. He emphasized the profound damage caused by her actions, stating, "In the face of such profound damage, a long prison sentence is not merely a punishment, it is a necessary affirmation that our society values justice, protection, and the sanctity of human life."
During the trials, Vallow Daybell represented herself and maintained her innocence, claiming her family was struck by tragedy. However, prosecutors highlighted her motives of financial gain and her belief in twisted religious ideologies. Despite her claims of an unfair trial, the judge dismissed these assertions, stating that justice demanded recognition of the pain inflicted by her actions.
Vallow Daybell's sentencing adds to the multiple life sentences she is already serving in Idaho. Her husband, Chad Daybell, was sentenced to death for related murders and awaits execution on Idaho's death row. The legal proceedings have drawn significant attention due to the shocking nature of the crimes and the couple's unusual beliefs.