In a recent episode of the "Hidden Killers" podcast, Tony Brueski and retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke unpack the latest twist in the Chad and Lori Daybell saga. As the Daybell case moves ever closer to trial, John Pryor, Chad Daybell's attorney, has expressed a desire to withdraw from the case, citing non-payment and his lack of qualification for a capital murder case. This sudden development raises critical questions about the defense’s preparedness and Daybell's fate in the upcoming trial.

 

 The discussion begins with Brueski highlighting the unusual nature of Pryor's request. "You've had more than a year," Brueski notes, echoing the judge's sentiment that the timing of the request seems implausible. This sentiment is shared by Dreeke, who with a hint of irony in his voice, comments, “Chad’s hosed.” The gravity of the situation is not lost on either speaker, as they delve into the implications of an attorney abandoning his client at such a critical juncture.

 

 Dreeke, with his background in behavioral analysis, points out the oddity of Pryor’s move, given that the nature of Daybell’s case and his financial instability were apparent from the start. "The attorney was completely witting of the sound," Dreeke says, implying that Pryor’s reasons for withdrawal might be more complex than they appear.

 

 The conversation then shifts to the potential motivations behind Pryor’s decision. Brueski speculates about the lack of alternative legal representation for Daybell, wondering if the case's "bottom of the barrel" nature and Daybell's bizarre belief system are deterring other attorneys. Dreeke agrees, suggesting that the “magical thinking” and cult-like elements surrounding Daybell make the case unappealing and challenging for legal professionals.

 

 Dreeke and Brueski delve deeper into the dynamics of the Daybell case, contrasting it with other high-profile cases where defendants, despite heinous charges, find representation. They ponder whether Daybell's entrenched and delusional beliefs, which came to the fore during Lori's trial, are a deterrent for potential legal counsel. “It’s so magical thinking that even if you want to try and get this person off, you do require some form of cooperation on the part of your client,” Brueski observes.

 

 The podcast also addresses the broader implications of Pryor's withdrawal, including how it might affect Daybell's potential grounds for appeal. They discuss the challenge of adequately representing someone with such deeply ingrained, irrational beliefs and whether this could be a valid argument for inadequate representation.

 

 As the conversation wraps up, Brueski and Dreeke ponder the future of Chad Daybell post-conviction. They speculate on whether Daybell, due to his notoriety, might attempt to profit from his story, considering the morbid fascination of some members of the public with notorious criminals. This brings up questions about the application of Son of Sam laws in Idaho and whether Daybell could indeed profit from his infamy.

 

 In closing, the "Hidden Killers" podcast leaves its audience with a poignant question: With his legal defenses crumbling and the trial imminent, what is the fate of Chad Daybell? And in a broader sense, what does this case reveal about the limits of the legal system in dealing with defendants who are lost in their delusional worlds? As Brueski aptly puts it, "We're going to be talking about this one for quite a while."

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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com