In a move that surprised precisely no one following her case, Lori Vallow Daybell, the self-styled "Doomsday Mom," has filed a motion to dismiss her Arizona case, alleging a violation of her right to a speedy trial. Citing constitutional guarantees that demand a trial within 150 days of arraignment, Vallow claims Arizona’s justice system is dragging its feet, leaving her, inexplicably, as the one tapping her watch in impatience. The motion, as blunt as it is brazen, accuses the court of wasting time: “The State of Arizona has had plenty of time to figure this out!” wrote Vallow, who is representing herself in what promises to be another theatrical performance of legal acrobatics. Her arraignment was on December 7, 2023, and as of now, only one trial date—for the murder of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow—has been set. The second case, involving the attempted murder of her ex-nephew-in-law Brandon Boudreaux, remains in limbo. The clock is ticking, Vallow insists, but for whom remains an open question. After all, she is already serving a life sentence without parole in Idaho for her convictions in the murders of her children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and her role in the death of Tammy Daybell, the former wife of her current husband, Chad Daybell. With no immediate threat of freedom on the horizon, her newfound urgency over trial delays raises more eyebrows than legal points. A Ticking Clock and a Ticking Off Vallow’s case in Arizona revolves around charges of conspiracy to commit murder. Authorities allege she orchestrated the fatal shooting of Charles Vallow in 2019 with the help of her late brother, Alex Cox, a man whose role in this saga—from trigger-puller to "spiritual warrior"—reads like a plotline even a soap opera writer would reject as over the top. Months later, Brandon Boudreaux narrowly survived an assassination attempt, and police wasted no time connecting the dots back to Vallow’s web of bizarre motives and financial incentives. While Cox conveniently passed away in 2019 under circumstances described as “natural causes,” his posthumous presence looms large in courtrooms across two states. Investigators argue that the shootings were driven by life insurance payouts and a twisted “spiritual” ideology that Vallow and her inner circle allegedly used to justify their actions. Call it faith-based finance, but with a lot more death certificates. Vallow’s self-representation in Arizona follows a December 5 ruling that deemed her competent to stand trial, a decision made after her previous attorneys raised questions about her mental fitness. Now, it’s just Lori, her legal motions, and an audience eager to see if she’ll cross-examine herself at some point. Given her track record, it’s not outside the realm of possibility. Legal Limbo and Looming Trials The Arizona courts find themselves juggling two sets of charges: the conspiracy to murder Charles Vallow and the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux. While the former’s trial is scheduled to begin on March 31, the latter remains unscheduled, an omission Vallow’s motion highlights with the fervor of a defendant who’s suddenly discovered their inner legal scholar. Her argument hinges on Arizona’s rules for a speedy trial, claiming the delays violate her rights. For prosecutors, the complications go beyond calendars. Vallow’s conviction in Idaho casts a long shadow over these proceedings, forcing Arizona to grapple with the optics of pursuing justice for additional victims while their star defendant is already destined to spend the rest of her life in prison. Yet, the stakes remain high. For the families of Charles Vallow and Brandon Boudreaux, these trials represent more than just legal closure; they’re a chance to see the full extent of Vallow’s alleged crimes brought to light. A Trial by Irony Vallow’s legal woes in Arizona unfold against a backdrop of prior convictions that would make even the most seasoned true-crime enthusiast’s head spin. In May 2023, an Idaho jury found her guilty of the first-degree murders of her children, 7-year-old JJ and 16-year-old Tylee, whose remains were discovered on Chad Daybell’s property. She was also convicted of conspiracy in the murder of Tammy Daybell, Chad’s former wife, whose death was initially ruled as natural before the autopsy results screamed otherwise. If Arizona hoped to quietly add their charges to the mix, Vallow has other plans. Her motion to dismiss not only delays the proceedings but also ensures that her name remains a headline fixture, a peculiar achievement for someone whose legal arguments hinge on claims of delays. What Happens Next The next chapter in this saga hinges on how the Arizona court responds to Vallow’s motion. If granted, it could derail efforts to hold her accountable for the deaths and attempted murders that continue to ripple through the lives of those left behind. If denied, the state proceeds with its ...
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Jan 25 202514 mins
14 mins
14 mins