Chad Daybell was sentenced to death on Saturday after a jury recommended the penalty for his convictions of first-degree murder and conspiracy in the deaths of his first wife, Tammy Daybell, and two of his second wife’s children, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow. The case, driven by elements of power, sex, money, and apocalyptic spiritual beliefs, has captivated national attention.
Judge Steven Boyce formally imposed the death sentence after the jury's lengthy deliberations concluded that the death penalty was appropriate. Daybell, who appeared with a blank expression as the judge read the sentence, also received a 15-year prison term for insurance fraud charges.The sequestered jury began their deliberations on Friday afternoon, taking six hours before pausing for the night. They resumed deliberations at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, reaching a verdict by 10:45 a.m.
"This defendant exhibited utter disregard for human life," Prosecutor Rob Wood told the jury on Friday, asking them to consider several aggravating factors that warranted the death penalty. Wood emphasized that the murders were committed for financial gain, citing Daybell's conviction for insurance fraud related to life insurance policies that paid out after Tammy Daybell's death. Additionally, both Chad and Lori Vallow Daybell were convicted of grand theft for continuing to collect Social Security benefits for the children after their deaths.
Wood further argued that the murders were “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity.” He described Daybell's actions as a clear threat to society, suggesting that his propensity for murder could continue.
"It is your decision whether one or more of these aggravators has been proven. And if it has been, you must decide if, under these circumstances, imposition of the death penalty would be just or unjust," Wood concluded.
The jury's decision was influenced by the contrasting portrayals of Daybell. Prosecutors painted him as a manipulative figure whose actions were driven by greed and apocalyptic beliefs. In contrast, the defense sought to humanize Daybell, emphasizing that he still had family who cared about him.
The sensational nature of the case, which included claims of apocalyptic prophecies, "zombie" children, and illicit affairs, was highlighted in a 2022 Netflix true-crime documentary, further amplifying public interest.
Chad Daybell's second wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, was also convicted last year for the murder of her children and conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell. She is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole and has appealed her convictions, raising questions about her mental competency to stand trial.
Authorities believe Tylee and JJ were killed in September 2019, the same month they were last seen. Tammy Daybell was found dead in her Idaho home on October 19, 2019, just weeks before Chad Daybell married Lori Vallow Daybell.
During the trial, emotional testimonies from the victims' families illustrated the profound loss and grief caused by the murders.
Colby Ryan, Tylee's brother, expressed his sorrow, saying, "I will never get to see my sister grow up or achieve her dreams. She was robbed of her life, and we were robbed of her presence." Larry Woodcock, JJ's grandfather, described JJ as "a light in our lives, cruelly extinguished."
As the sentencing was handed down, the courtroom remained solemn. The decision to impose the death penalty on Chad Daybell underscores the severity of his crimes and the enduring impact on the victims' families. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of manipulative and violent behavior masked by extreme beliefs.
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