Attorney: Lori Vallow Daybell faring better than some lawyers while representing herself in court
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — An attorney who’s not connected to the case says Lori Vallow Daybell is faring better than some lawyers do in court as she represents herself for the 2019 murder of her former husband.
When day three of Daybell’s trial commences on Wednesday, she’s expected to cross-examine one of the state’s most important witnesses when it comes to hard evidence and the placement of Charles Vallow’s body.
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Phoenix-area attorney Josh Kolsrud said this trial is similar to some highly publicized cases of the past—the notoriety is similar to the Jodi Arias case in Arizona, and Daybell representing herself draws recollections of Ted Bundy in the ‘70s—but it’s unique partly because Daybell has nothing to lose. She’s already serving life in prison for the murder of her two children.
“I will tell you that she’s actually doing a fairly good job,” Kolsrud said. “She is very prepared. She’s polished. I can tell that she’s been practicing her questions, and, you know, honestly, I’ve seen other lawyers do worse than her in the courtroom.”
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He said Daybell’s preparation is something that’s not usually seen when defendants represent themselves for murder.
“I have been impressed with her,” he said. “Everything from her opening statement to her cross-examination questions; she’s very prepared.”
Kolsrud said Daybell is likely to do well, resonating with the jurors.
“The jurors are going to see an attractive woman who’s very smart, she’s meticulous, and she may be sympathetic,” he said. “The fact that she’s representing herself is a wild card in this case that, you know. We’ll see how effective it is once the jury makes their verdict.”
That jury not knowing anything about Daybell’s history and prior convictions is important for an impartial decision.
“If they find out that Lori Vallow (Daybell) was already convicted of murder in Idaho under similarly situated circumstances, it’s really going to prejudice the jury against her,” Kolsrud said.
Arizona’s Family’s coverage of Day 3 of the Lori Vallow Daybell trial begins at 10:50 a.m. on Wednesday.
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