The Trial Of Lori Vallow Daybell | Full Courtroom Coverage

Lori Vallow Daybell Can't Help Herself In Court, Asks Witness About Charles Vallow's Kissing Skills To Witness
In this jaw-dropping courtroom moment, Lori Vallow Daybell breaks every expectation of legal decorum by asking a witness if her murdered husband, Charles Vallow, was “a good kisser.” In this episode of Hidden Killers, Tony Brueski is joined by retired FBI Behavioral Analysis Chief Robin Dreeke to unpack the psychological implications of Vallow’s behavior during her murder trial — and what it reveals about her mindset.
From courtroom outbursts to inappropriate lines of questioning, Dreeke offers expert analysis on Vallow’s narcissistic tendencies, manipulative strategies, and her obsession with settling personal scores even while facing life behind bars. They explore how Vallow's bizarre fixation on the witness' brief relationship with Charles may be less about defense and more about control, jealousy, and personal ego — all in front of a jury.

If you're following the Lori Vallow Daybell trial, or searching for insight into the intersection of psychopathy, courtroom behavior, and religious delusion, this episode offers a compelling breakdown of one of the strangest trial exchanges to date. Tune in for expert insight, legal context, and the latest from the case that's captivated the true crime world.
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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, 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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Did Lori Vallow Daybell really believe her ex-husband was possessed by a zombie named Ned, or was it all just part of a twisted scheme to cash in and move on?

In this episode, Tony Brueski and former felony prosecutor Eric Faddis dig into the chilling courtroom strategies, eyebrow-raising insurance money moves, and the complete absence of character witnesses for the woman accused of orchestrating a deadly plot. They unpack Lori's eerie calm after Charles Vallow’s death, her swift attempt to claim life insurance, and how a smiling widow made enchiladas while allegedly plotting murder. With no one stepping up to defend her character and bizarre religious delusions creeping into testimony, the case raises big questions: was this about belief, greed, or something even darker?

And seriously, how does someone go from “my enchiladas are a family favorite” to “my brother might have killed my husband because a demon named Ned told us to”?

Should every state allow the insanity defense—or would that be giving people like Lori an easy out?

#LoriVallowDaybell #TrueCrimePodcast #HiddenKillers #CharlesVallow #MurderTrial #InsanityDefense #DarkTrueCrime

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, 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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Psychotherapist Shavaun Scott Breaks Down The MANY Mental Disorders At Play In Lori Vallow Daybell's Trial 
Is Lori Vallow Daybell really a misunderstood prophet—or just a full-blown narcissist who thinks she can out-lawyer a courtroom?

In this episode of Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski, we dive into Lori's Arizona murder trial where she's playing both defendant and defense attorney. Yes, the woman already convicted of murdering her children is now cross-examining her grieving relatives like she’s starring in her own courtroom drama. Joined by psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott, we explore Lori’s grandiosity, religious delusions, and her unsettling lack of remorse. From asking if her murdered husband was a good kisser to using Burger King as an alibi for why she wasn’t grieving, Lori’s detachment from reality is both terrifying and bizarrely theatrical.

With courtroom antics that include flirty interrogations and wild gaslighting, the question isn’t just whether she did it—it's how deep the delusion goes. Is this just narcissism turned up to 11, or are we witnessing the unraveling of a self-declared goddess who believes her own fantasy?

What happens when someone’s religious fervor becomes the excuse for murder?

#LoriVallow #TrueCrimePodcast #PsychologicalAnalysis #CourtroomDrama #HiddenKillers #ShavaunScott #NarcissismUnmasked

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, 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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

Daybell Closing Arguments on the Way: Nephi, Luminol, and a Wedding in Hawaii

The lead detective never read the Book of Mormon, but Google helped him learn that Nephi killed a man under divine orders—and somehow, that helped shape a murder investigation.

As court reconvened in Lori Vallow Daybell’s Arizona trial, the state officially rested its case. The defense? Also ready to rest. No witnesses. No testimony from Lori herself. Her decision was final. With closing arguments expected Monday, the court is preparing jury instructions for what could be the final stretch.

But before all that, Lori had questions. A lot of them. She stepped up to the lectern and grilled Detective Nathan Duncan like she was trying out for a legal drama. Why didn’t they test the bat for DNA? Why wasn’t Luminol used on the gun? What about the blood on Charles Vallow’s shirt? Duncan stood by the choices made—there was no visible blood, the autopsy was conclusive, and some things, he felt, just didn’t require further testing. Lori pushed: is it possible for protein to be present even if blood isn't visible? Duncan acknowledged it could be, but stuck to his reasoning.

The bat—allegedly wielded by Tylee—wasn’t visibly bloody and had no damage. No blood, no Luminol. No DNA swabs either. Lori challenged him: if they had tested the bat and found Charles’ DNA, wouldn’t that corroborate Tylee’s story? The prosecution objected, the judge sustained. But Lori kept hammering the same point—why didn’t they look harder?

Duncan explained that simply finding DNA on the bat wouldn’t prove much. It belonged to Tylee, lived in the house, and anyone could have handled it. As for fingerprints? Inconclusive. Still, no tests.

She dug into his knowledge of the Book of Mormon too—asking about Nephi, a figure she had previously invoked. Duncan admitted he hadn’t read the book but had spoken to LDS members and done some Googling. Lori pushed again—there are four Nephis, she reminded him. She accused him of forming conclusions early and sticking to them, questioning whether his research was thorough or just conveniently limited.

When asked who provided the core of the family context in his investigation, Duncan named Adam Cox—Lori’s estranged brother. Lori highlighted that he hadn’t interviewed her parents, her siblings, or even watched their interviews. Summer Cox was out of town, Duncan said. The others weren’t at the scene. Lori wasn’t buying it. She accused the investigation of being one-sided.

Then there were the texts. So many texts. Messages between Lori and Chad Daybell, between Lori and Alex Cox, and between Lori and her niece, Melani. The language? Sometimes cryptic, sometimes romantic, sometimes just bizarre. Talk of "Zs"—supposedly dark spirits or zombies—and coded references to people being overtaken by evil. Melani was told not to go to Utah—it was “a setup.” Chad and Lori spoke in veiled terms about Social Security payments, forged documents, and divine missions.

In the days after Charles Vallow was killed, Lori and Chad exchanged love notes, planned blessings, and fantasized about their new life together. A wedding followed just four months later, in Hawaii. The jury saw the photo: Chad and Lori, newlyweds on a beach, smiling. Meanwhile, the evidence paints a portrait of a tangled web—faith, manipulation, and a very mortal outcome.

Through it all, Lori tried to flip the narrative. She emphasized how cooperative she had been with police, that she turned over Charles’ phone willingly. But Duncan said he wasn’t sure if Alex had done the same. His phone? It was never fully analyzed. The best they got were his call records from the carrier. The actual data? Gone. It was either a missed opportunity or an intentional blind spot, depending on which side of the courtroom you sit on.

By late afternoon, both sides had nothing left to say. The prosecution stood by its evidence—volumes of it—arguing that Lori and Alex conspired to commit murder. Lori still insisted the state hadn’t proved its case. But the judge saw it differently: he ruled there was enough for a jury to consider.

Court adjourns tomorrow to finalize instructions. On Monday, the jury returns at 10:30 a.m. for closing arguments. Then, it’s in their hands.

#LoriVallowDaybell #TrueCrime #CharlesVallow #CourtroomDrama

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, 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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

Lori Vallow Daybell’s push for a speedy second trial was shut down by the judge, who prioritized jury logistics and witness coordination over her deadline demands. As jury instructions take shape and courtroom calendars fill, the next phase of her Arizona murder trial is set to collide with summer travel—and a whole new legal showdown. 

Representing herself at trial, Daybell faces charges for the murder of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and the attempted murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. 

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, 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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

The Trial of Lori Vallow Daybell Day 8 Jury Instruction Discussion Part 2

Lori Vallow Daybell’s push for a speedy second trial was shut down by the judge, who prioritized jury logistics and witness coordination over her deadline demands. As jury instructions take shape and courtroom calendars fill, the next phase of her Arizona murder trial is set to collide with summer travel—and a whole new legal showdown.

Representing herself at trial, Daybell faces charges for the murder of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and the attempted murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.

Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, 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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

What kind of defendant just folds her arms and says “I rest” with a murder charge hanging over her head?

Lori Vallow Daybell, that’s who. After weeks of testimony filled with cryptic biblical code, spiritual fantasy, and enough text messages to fill a Book of Revelation sequel, Lori wrapped up her defense by doing... absolutely nothing. No witnesses. No arguments. No Hail Mary from the stand. Former prosecutor Eric Faddis joins Tony Brueski to dissect what this courtroom silence might really mean. Is it supreme confidence, utter delusion, or just Lori being Lori? They dig into the implications of her ghosting the defense phase, the possible strategy behind it (or lack thereof), and how the jury might interpret the eerie contrast between her bizarre “Nephi told me so” worldview and her surprisingly subdued courtroom presence. Plus—why the judge basically held her hand through the whole thing like she was trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the manual.

Is there a method to Lori’s madness, or is the jury about to flip a coin on this one?

#TrueCrimeToday #LoriVallowDaybell #EricFaddis #HiddenKillersPodcast #CourtroomDrama #MurderTrial #TrueCrimeAnalysis

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, 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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

What happens when an alleged cult mom decides to play lawyer in a courtroom that’s very much real life?

Lori Vallow Daybell’s trial in Arizona is giving us more plot twists than a soap opera binge—and none of them are good for her. With her green chili enchiladas (allegedly) as underwhelming as her courtroom strategy, Vallow fumbles her way through legal procedures while the prosecution casually rewrites courtroom rules with leading questions galore. Defense attorney Bob Motta joins to unpack this circus, pointing out that while Lori may know the word “quash,” she has no clue how to use it in a way that doesn’t quash her own defense.

And while the judge is gently waving red flags in front of her—“Are you sure you want to bring up the dead kids?”—Lori seems unfazed, maybe even unaware. Meanwhile, the prosecution is trying to prove conspiracy without actually, you know, proving it. So far, they're just showing the jury that Lori is a narcissist who makes bad life choices... and even worse legal ones.

Is the state actually going to prove Lori was part of a conspiracy, or will this whole case crumble under the weight of its own vague texts and courtroom chaos?

#LoriVallow #TrueCrimePodcast #BobMotta #HiddenKillers #DefenseDiaries #TrueCrimeToday #CourtroomDrama

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, 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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

In this gripping episode, we break down Day 7 of the Lori Vallow Daybell trial in Arizona—a day that delivered some of the most damning evidence yet. Detective Nathan Duncan walked the jury through a digital trail of apocalyptic text messages and religious language, including Lori’s infamous “Be like Nephi” message allegedly encouraging her brother to act out a divinely-justified killing. Prosecutors revealed a disturbing pattern of communication that framed Charles Vallow as possessed, dehumanized, and ultimately disposable.
We dive deep into Lori’s secret communications with Chad Daybell, including fake email accounts, religious fan fiction, and passionate love texts that appear to link their affair to Charles’s death. We also examine the financial angle—how Charles’s $1 million life insurance policy became a focal point after he changed the beneficiary, cutting Lori out just before his murder. Within 24 hours of his death, Lori was at the Social Security office, and within four months, she was marrying Chad Daybell in Hawaii.

And then came the twist: Lori rested her case without calling a single witness. No explanation. No defense. Nothing. As prosecutors wrapped up their case, the courtroom was left in stunned silence. What does it mean when a defendant charged with conspiracy and murder says nothing in her own defense? Tune in for our full breakdown of the courtroom drama, digital evidence, and the haunting silence that could speak volumes to the jury.
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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, 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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

Inside the iCloud Trail That Exposed Lori Vallow: Divine Missions, Dead Bodies, and a Deleted Husband

“So the Plot Thickens”

Charles Vallow was already dead when his brother-in-law Alex Cox finally decided to call 911. That call didn’t come until 8:36 a.m., and Charles had been lying on the floor for at least 47 minutes by then. Lori Vallow, his wife, had already left the house by 7:49 a.m.—taking Charles’ phone with her—and she never made a call for help. Not on her phone, not on his. Nothing. Just silence.

The whole scene, the timing, the calls—or lack thereof—was outlined by Chandler Police Detective Nathan Duncan as he testified about what they found when they started pulling data from Lori’s iCloud and Charles’ phone. Turns out, the dead man’s device was still being used hours after he was killed. The texts Adam Cox sent to his brother Charles that morning were read promptly—until they weren’t. Suddenly, the messages stopped being opened. Then, at 12:13 p.m., they were read. Charles had been dead for hours by then. So who was reading them?

The breadcrumbs didn’t stop there. Duncan found that Alex Cox had sent Lori the flight itinerary for Adam’s trip after Charles died, but the message was sent using Charles’ phone. That’s like borrowing someone’s toothbrush after they've been buried. Adam, meanwhile, was desperately trying to reach Alex—texting and calling—once he got into Phoenix on July 10. No reply. At all.

Then came the iCloud accounts—two of them: “lollytime” and “lori4style.” These accounts were a goldmine of encrypted nonsense and unsettling revelations. Lori had flown to Idaho in March 2019 and returned with Chad Daybell the same month. Around that same time, there was an odd email supposedly from Charles inviting Chad to Houston to write a book. Only problem? Charles didn’t send it. Lori did. She made a fake email account under the name Karen Walker and used her own old phone number to set it up.

By June 27, the messages between Charles and Lori had all but dried up. Their marriage was clearly fractured, but not in a normal marital spat kind of way. This was nuclear.

Charles was living in Houston, but he still helped Lori move into the Phoenix rental on June 22. That lease was supposed to run until 2022. On July 10, he flew into town. He was planning an intervention. He had been talking with Lori’s brother Adam about it. They were going to try to bring Lori back to reality, whatever that even looked like anymore.

Too bad Lori already knew. She had texted Alex around 9:50 p.m. the night before Charles died saying, “Getting sleepy. So I’m going to need you to stay close to me the next few days. Mel too. She can’t go to Utah. They are planking (sic) some kind of intervention…Lots to do. Thank you for standing by me. It’s all coming to a head this week. I will be like Nephi I am told! And so will you.” That’s a reference to a Book of Mormon figure known for killing a man to obtain sacred records. Light bedtime reading, apparently.

The “Nephi” text came just after Lori messaged Alex, “So the plot thickens. Call me when u can.” That was July 8. By July 11, Charles was dead.

Lori and Alex weren’t just texting about scripture and divine missions. They were deep in a parallel universe where Charles wasn’t Charles anymore. He was “Ned,” a dark spirit that had taken over his body. In February and March, Lori told Alex that Ned had been at the temple looking for him. She said Tylee “unleashed on him.” She even asked, “No one has seen him, right? Just talked to him??” As if Charles was a missing ghost in a body suit.

Then there’s the money. Lori sent pictures of Charles’ life insurance policy to a contact named “Bubby,” along with documentation showing she was the beneficiary. But there was also a picture showing that Kay Woodcock, Charles’ sister, had been made the new beneficiary. That change had been made by Charles. Lori wasn’t thrilled.

On July 12—the day after Charles was killed—Lori texted about going to Social Security. Because when someone dies, the paperwork party begins.

When detectives entered the home on July 11, they found Charles' body face up on the western side of a mostly empty room. There was a bat nearby, but no blood splatter on the walls or floor—just a little blood on Charles' left hand, suggesting he had placed it on his chest after being shot. The bullet? It went through his body and left a visible strike in the floor. Duncan cut that piece out for evidence.

Alex claimed he was injured in the scuffle, but no one saw any wounds that morning. Later, during the investigation, they learned he had a cut on the back of his head. Even the gun he used—registered to him—had no blood on it.

Inside the house, they found an orange duffle bag with a Health Savings Account card labeled Alex Cox. There were extra magazines inside. The kitchen faucet had a smear of blood, but no towels, no evidence of cleanup.

It’s like everyone knew Charles was going to die that day—except Charles.

#LoriVallow #CharlesVallow #TrueCrimePodcast #DaybellCase

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The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, 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, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com