The Idaho jury is currently deliberating on whether doomsday author Chad Daybell should receive the death penalty. Daybell has been convicted in the murders of his first wife and his second wife’s two children. During the court proceedings on Friday, family members of the three victims delivered heartfelt statements that left an emotional impact.
The jury unanimously convicted him on all charges, as prosecutors argued that he was involved in a scheme driven by the pursuit of “wealth, influence, and sexual gratification.”
Related posts
Daybell, an author known for his books on the apocalypse, allegedly used spiritual beliefs as a means to justify the murders. Prosecutors claim that he believed all three victims were possessed and marked them for death, so that he and Vallow could be together without any earthly obstacles.
Daybell was convicted on two counts of insurance fraud. These charges were related to the $430,000 worth of life insurance policies he held on Tamara Daybell, in which he was named as the beneficiary. The prosecutors made this information known during the trial.
Several family members shared their grief during victim impact statements as the jury prepared to deliberate on the sentencing. They expressed their sorrow over the sudden death of Tamara Daybell on October 19, 2019, and the subsequent anguish and anger they felt upon learning that she had been murdered after her body was exhumed for an autopsy.
Samantha Gwilliam expressed her grief in court, stating, “It is heartbreaking that my sister is no longer with us. She should be here, enjoying life, surrounded by loved ones. Instead, she should be cherishing her grandchildren and looking after her beloved pets.”
“It’s a harsh reality that has separated us from her. We yearn for a sense of tranquility after enduring five long years,” she expressed. “Every day, I long for my sister’s presence and will mourn her for the remainder of my existence. I advocate on her behalf now as she deserves to be heard.”
According to Matthew Douglas, Tamara Daybell was the emotional center and the one who held their siblings’ group together.
“It’s still hard for me to comprehend and emotionally process the series of events,” he expressed, describing it as an ongoing “nightmare that seems never-ending.”
Ben Douglas expressed that the loss of their sister has caused them immeasurable pain. Furthermore, this tragic event has also had a profound impact on their relationship with her children, a sentiment that is shared by the rest of the family.
“The court was informed by Ron Douglas, the father, about the damaging impact the case has had on their family’s relationship with the children,” he expressed. “I am still open to the possibility of rebuilding a relationship with them. It deeply angers me and utterly devastates me to think about the way Tammy was treated.”
According to Michael Douglas, the eldest sibling, the news of the autopsy results left him sleepless for six weeks and robbed him of his peace.
“I have developed an angry part within me, which I hope is not a permanent aspect of my personality,” he expressed.
Her siblings were shocked and horrified when they found out that two children had also lost their lives.
“I was overcome with a mix of nausea and sorrow when I discovered the heartbreaking news about JJ and Tylee,” Gwilliam shared, her voice breaking with emotion.
Ryan was the child from Vallow’s third marriage, while JJ was the nephew of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, whom they had adopted.
Kay Woodcock, the grandmother of JJ, expressed her deep anguish and sorrow following the tragic death of her grandson. She described the loss as an unimaginable betrayal that defies any rational explanation.
She tearfully expressed, “There is an irreplaceable void in my heart, as well as in the hearts of my family members, that will persist for the entirety of my life.”
JJ was described as extremely intelligent and empathetic by the woman. She expressed her sadness at being unable to make new memories with him, which brought her to tears.
Ryan’s aunt, Annie Cushing, expressed that she and her niece developed a strong connection through their shared passion for pop culture. She had intended to take the teenager to New York City to celebrate her 18th birthday.
“Tylee had a promising future ahead of her, filled with dignity, dreams, and goals,” expressed Cushing. “Unfortunately, the defendant took all of that away.”
Colby Ryan, the older brother of the children, shared his heartbreak over the fact that he wouldn’t get to witness his siblings’ journey of growing up.
Expressing the indescribable pain of losing his entire family, he shared with the court, “I cannot find the words to adequately convey the profound impact this loss has had on me. In essence, I have been stripped of everything I have ever known.”
He expressed that his three children will never have the opportunity to experience Ryan’s compassionate nature or JJ’s playful and lighthearted personality.
He continued by emphasizing the most crucial point: Tylee and JJ lost their lives.
On Friday afternoon, the jury commenced their deliberations in determining whether the gravity of the case justifies imposing the death penalty. The state is seeking the death penalty due to what they described as the “heinous” nature of the deaths.
Defense attorney John Prior, on the other hand, portrayed Daybell as a humble and devoted family man who valued his faith and community. Prior went on to assert that Vallow, on the other hand, was like a bomb that disrupted Daybell’s peaceful existence, creating havoc and turmoil.
During his testimony on Friday, he expressed, “She completely altered the course of our lives. After 29 years of marriage, how can you disregard everything we’ve built together? She didn’t even have a single speeding ticket. We raised five incredible children.”
Daybell chose not to address the court during the sentencing phase of the trial. Additionally, he made the decision not to take the stand and testify in his own defense before the verdict was reached.
Idaho has implemented the death penalty since 1864, and since then, the state has conducted a total of 29 executions. The most recent execution took place in 2012, as reported by the Death Penalty Information Center.
According to the state Department of Corrections, there are currently eight individuals residing on death row in Idaho.
