Day 11 in Chad Daybell’s trial focused on attack, death of first wife Tammy
BOISE, ID (AZFamily) — Day 11 of Chad Daybell’s murder trial focused on the attempted shooting of his first wife, Tammy Daybell, just days before she died, the suspicious circumstances that led to her death, and how much she knew about Chad’s “dark and light” ranking of people and spirits.
Chad Daybell is on trial for the murder of his wife and Lori Vallow’s two children, Tylee and JJ. Vallow. Lori Vallow was found guilty of these murders last year.
What makes this case difficult is a lot of testimony revolves around the internet search history and actions of Lori Vallow’s brother, Alex Cox, who was believed to be involved in trying to kill these victims.
But he is dead, too.
So, the prosecution must prove Chad Daybell knew and planned what was carried out by Cox before he died, and that it all was premeditated murder of his wife, and Lori’s two kids.
Prosecutors played part of a 911 call Tammy Daybell made in an attempted shooting on Oct. 9, 2019.
“He was all dressed in black and had a ski mask on,” she told the operator. “He just kept doing it, so I yelled for my husband and then he took off running around the back of my house.”
At the time, Tammy thought the shooter had a different kind of gun, detailing the fear she had in an email.
“The guy started pulling the trigger and I could hear the clicking and whooshing sound of an empty paintball gun,” Tammy wrote, read aloud in court by Fremont County detective Vince Kaaiakamanu, who was on the stand much of Thursday.
He testified about the days leading up to, during, and after that attempted shooting on Tammy Daybell’s life.
The detective said the day of that shooting, Cox had an interesting search history.
“He searches different uppers for ARs, muzzle energy break of a 6.5 Grendel,” said Kaaiakamanu.
But that shooting didn’t work.
“The next day he is searching if an AR functions in cold weather, how an AR functions in cold weather, um, (inaudible) one shot, shooting in cold weather, also how to prep your AR to shoot in cold weather,” said Kaaiakamanu.
In court, a picture was shown of the Grendel AR-15 rifle found in Cox’s apartment.
They revealed that between Oct. 7 and 15, 2019, Cox had visited a gun range five times.
On Oct. 19, Tammy Daybell died.
Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell’s doomsday beliefs have revolved around dark and light spirits.
Those who have died were considered dark spirits.
In Thursday’s testimony, the detective talked about messages he read between the Daybell family, both Chad and Tammy, and their kids.
They discuss clearing their son Mark Daybell of a dark spirit and how they identified 12-year-olds at Sunday school who were dark spirits.
Chad and Lori believe that J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan had become dark, a factor leading to their deaths.
However, the defense used the Daybell family conversations to show Tammy Daybell was aware of Chad’s teachings.
The trial continues Friday.
If Chad Daybell is convicted of murdering Tylee, J.J., and his first wife Tammy, the death penalty is on the table for him.
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