Thread by @jlumfox10

If you’re just starting to follow this case, here’s the link to the PC affidavit: coi.isc.idaho.gov/docs/case/CR22…

Chad Daybell is accused of 2 cts of concealment/destruction or alteration of evidence & 2 cts conspiracy to commit concealment/destruction or alteration of evidence.

Rememeber, Daybell has pleaded not guilty to the initial two charges against him but not the conspiracy charges. I’ll thread along here as hearing begins.

Chad Daybell (far left), his attorney John Prior next to him. Special Prosecutor Rob Wood on the left of table to the right. Kay and Larry Woodcock, the grandparents of JJ Vallow are in the courtroom. #fox10phoenix

Judge Eddins will allow Prior, Daybell and Wood to not wear masks so they can speak without issues.

LIVE STREAM: facebook.com/FOX10Phoenix/v…

Short break as prosecution and defense meets with Judge Eddins.

What can we expect next? Wood will lay out evidence through the next 2 days against Daybell as & call on witnesses connected to the case. On 6/9, the remains of siblings JJ Vallow & Tylee Ryan were found buried on Daybell’s property. The kids had not been seen since September.

Meanwhile, Lori Vallow - the mother of the kids is in Madison Co. Women’s Detention Center charged with 2 counts of conspiracy to commit concealment, destruction or alteration of evidence. Initially she was charged with 2 counts of child desertion before the kids were found dead.

Rexburg Police Detective Ray Hermosillo has been called to the stand. Exhibits are being admitted.

Remember- Hermosillo did a welfare check at Vallow’s townhome on 11/26/19 in regards to JJ Vallow. He says he made contact with Daybell & Vallow’s brother Alex Cox - per the affidavit.

At that time, RPD says Daybell told detectives he didn’t know Vallow very well and didn’t have her number. Cox allegedly said JJ was with Grandma Kay in Louisiana. But Kay is the one who called in missing child report to Gilbert PD.

In early November, Hermosillo says Gilbert PD asked him to seize a Jeep in Vallow’s possession and do surveillance as well as the welfare check on JJ Vallow.

Daybell in a white shirt and blue tie watches proceeding with Larry Woodcock begins him.

First exhibit is birth certificate for JJ. His given birth name is Canaan Trahan born May 25, 2012.

Second exhibit is adoption paperwork for JJ. The adoptive parents being Charles and Lori Vallow.

Exhibit 5 is a marriage certificate for Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow in Kauai. Dated November 5, 2019. This is the first time we have seen proof of marriage. #fox10phoenix

Remember, this marriaged happened less than 3 weeks after Chad’s first wife Tammy suddenly died in their home on 10/19/19. Her death is being investigated by the Idaho AG.

Hermosillo is detailing his contact with Cox and Daybell at Vallow’s home 11/26/19. Wood just asked what Hermosillo thought when Cox allegedly said he didn’t have LV’s #. Prior objects to that.

Hermosillo thought that was suspicious. Then says Cox told him LV was in Apartment 107. Hermosillo and another detective went to the unit but then noticed Daybell start to drive off. Hermosillo stopped him.

Daybell also told Hermosillo he did not have a phone number for Lori Vallow. Hermosillo knew they had just gotten married. Daybell elaborated saying he only met her a couple times through Alex Cox.

Now Hermosillo brings up Vallow’s niece Melani Pawlowski formerly Boudreaux. She lived in unit next to Lori Vallow in Rexburg. That day on 11/26, Hermosillo could not make contact with Vallow or Pawlowski during welfare check.

Detective Hope tried calling Vallow and left a voicemail. The detectives had earlier gotten a number from Daybell when he admitted to having it finally.

Prior asks that he and the prosecution approach the bench for a moment.

Wood asks if Hermosillo has seen body cam footage of Detective Stubbs. He says yes. Search warrant was obtained for the next day 11/27 for the apartment units of Vallow, Cox and Bourdreaux (Pawlowski).

Police did not find JJ but found a bottle of his medication (resperidone) & his suitcase. His clothes weren’t in Vallow’s apartment. Rental agreenment for storage unit was found in the master bedroom.

A search warrant was obtained for the storage unit where JJ’s belongings were found. Still no location of JJ. Hermosillo says search warrants for cell phone data were obtained after that.

RPD then asked the FBI for assistance in the search for JJ and Tylee. Hermosillo says after many tries to call Vallow/Daybell, those calls were not returned. Vallow allegedly turned her phone off.

Exhibit 8 is photo of JJ, Tylee Ryan and Alex Cox. Hermosillo has reviewed the iCloud account belonging to Lori Vallow this photo came from. 9/8/19 at Yellowstone.

Exhibit 9 is another photo from Lori Vallow’s iCloud account. It’s of JJ sitting on a couch on 9/22/19. That’s the last day JJ was seen. 9/8 is last day Tylee was seen. The obtaining of the iCloud data came through a @ChandlerPolice search warrant.

Hermosillo says there are no photos discovered of Tylee Ryan after 9/8/19 and no photos found of JJ after 9/22/19. Also no verified sightings of the siblings after those said dates according to Hermosillo.

Hermosillo and Wood are now discussing the child protection order filed and served to Lori Vallow to produce JJ and Tylee within 5 days of being served. Hermosillo learned Vallow and Daybell were on island of Kauai in January.

1/24/19 - Hermosillo arrives in Kauai. Along w/ Kauai Police, he came to serve the order and do surveillance of the couple. Again, no sighting of the kids.

Surveillance led Hermosillo to finding Chad Daybell & Lori Vallow in a car. Kauai PD would execute a search warrant on the vehicle. Hermosillo says there were no items inside to show JJ & Tylee had been there.

Regarding the condo Daybell & Vallow stayed at in Princeville, Hermosillo says he found no items connected to the children.

Fast forward to 6/9/20. Hermosillo says he surveyed Chad Daybell’s property in Salem, Idaho. RPD served search warrant. Daybell’s sons let police in. Daybell sat in the kitchen and spoke w/ his attorney.

A demonstrative exhibit (#10) is about to be shown. Daybell and Prior moments after seeing it.

Hermosillo says the exhibit is an aerial photo of Daybell’s property. Wood asks him to point out where Daybell was sitting in his car. Hermosillo spoke w/ him briefly at his door. He says he watched Daybell in his phone continuing to look over his right shoulder.

Hermosillo describes the direction Daybell kept looking at. Hermosillo noticed north side of a pond area on the property.

Hermosillo says FBI Evidence Response Team marked off different areas in Daybell’s backyard. This happened around 9AM, two hours after Hermosillo arrived.

Then cadaver dogs came in to help according to Hermosillo. He says investigators found “area of interest” right underneath a tree. There - he says about a 4x2 area of sod of shorter grass in area of longer weed growth stood out.

Top soil was removed and Hermosillo says then three large flat rocks were discovered. He says the rocks were removed and then a thin wood paneling was found.

Hermosillo says after ERT removes labeling, he smelled decomposing of a body.

After more soil removed, Hermosillo describes a black plastic bag with round object protruding through the dirt. He says ERT dug around the object which he believed was a head. After investigators cut through plastic, he says he saw brown human hair.

Hermosillo says a small body wrapped tightly in the black plastic, covered in duct tape was recovered. He then says he watched the body be placed in coroner vehicle around 11AM.

Heartbreaking. Kay and Larry Woodcock listening to Hermosillo’s testimony of how JJ Vallow was found.

Now Hermosillo is using laser pointer to refer to fire pit/pet cemetery area in Daybell’s yard.

Prior is now questioning Hermosillo who says he helped dig up the cemetery. He says he found cat and dog remains.

Brief recess for about 15 minutes. Chad Daybell is smiling at his attorney.

Court back in session.

Wood returns to the discovery of remains at the Daybell property. He asks Hermosillo about what ERT did at the pet cemetery.

Hermosillo describes seeing what appeared to be burnt flesh and charred bone in the ground. He watched ERT dig the remains out.

The recovery went into the next day 6/10. Hermosillo says ERT was able to dig completely around the entire mass to reveal what they had to dig up.

Details about what was identified in the recovery of remains are very graphic. Wood is now discussing Hermosillo’s trip to the Ada County Coroner’s office on 6/11.

Hermosillo now describes what happened at the coroner’s office. He says the the medical examiner cut into the black plastic bag. He saw a small child in red pajamas, black socks and a white & blue blanket on top of him.

After medical examiner removed large amount of duct tape, Hermosillo says he recognized JJ Vallow. He describes his features including hairstyle from dozens of photos/video he saw over 8 months.

This is sickening.

Hermosillo says JJ’s wrists were bound with duct tape as well as his ankles. A ball of duct tape around his hands.

Cross examination led by John Prior begins.

Prior is asking about interviews with witnesses Hermosillo has recorded. The contact made with Daybell and Cox on 11/26/19 was not apparently.

Prior asks how many times Hermosillo spoke to Lori Vallow’s niece Melani Boudreaux. One time, he answers.

Hermosillo says he asked her how he could reach Daybell/Vallow on whereabouts of JJ and Tylee.

Prior asks which other family members Hermosillo spoke to. He asks if he interviewed Garth or Emma Daybell (Chad’s kids). He did not.

Brief recess. Judge Eddins has a question and wants to discuss.

For those who don’t know, John Prior is Daybell’s third attorney since the search for JJ and Tylee even began. Sean Bartholick was first, then Mark Means who represents Lori Vallow. After Daybell’s arrest, Prior got on the case.

Court back in session. Judge Eddins says he will stand by ruling that he will allow Prior to inquire about which witnesses Detective Hermosillo interviewed and when.

Prior asks if conversation with Melanie Gibb was recorded. Hermosillo says he spoke w/ her once in person and on phone rest of the time. Location of in person interview was in Utah.

Hermosillo says he was the lead investigator on the case and chose not to record conversation with Melanie Gibb - former best friend of Lori Vallow.

Prior is asking if there’s a reason Hermosillo doesn’t have dates of conversations with Gibb.

But Hermosillo did clarify Lieutenant Ron Ball, his supervisor did record an interview with Gibb.

Prior asked if Hermosillo has clear recollection of specific conversations w/ witnesses as well as date/times. He said no.

In initial part of investigation, RPD believed JJ went to school on 9/23 but later learned he did not. Hermosillo did not personally speak to school officials. He says Detective Hope did.

Prior takes a moment to discuss something with Daybell. He was questioning Hermosillo about the three apartments searched in Rexburg.

Hermosillo says he has no information that Alex Cox and Lori Vallow lived in same unit at the same time. During surveillance, Hermosillo tells Prior he didn’t record anything.

Prior is trying to figure out of Cox and Vallow lives together at one point. Hermosillo has no awareness of that. Vallow moved to Rexburg on 9/1 after leaving Chandler w/ her kids.

Hermosillo says he has been to the Daybell house 15-20 times. Prior is asking about the search at the property 6/9. Prior says the view from the driveway to the tree in the backyard isn’t visible.

Earlier, Hermosillo described Daybell continuously looking back at the pond area from where his car was parked. Prior asks if he was looking around? Hermosillo says no. He says Daybell was looking intently at that area.

Prior questions Hermosillo’s experience in smelling burning flesh. Prior tells Judge Eddins he wants to inquire where he gets knowledge that remains were burned.

Recess. Court will reconvene in an hour.

Thoughts on the first part of this prelim? Questions? A lot of details to absorb.

Lt. Ron Ball has been called to testify as court is back in session.

Ball is being asked about taking the remains of JJ and Tylee to Ada County Coroner’s Office.

Exhibit 11 is being admitted. Prior wants to approach the bench. Judge asks defense and prosecution to go into chambers for quick recess.

Court is back in session. And now cross examination is underway. Prior asks Lt. Ball about swabs obtained.

Quick cross examination of Lt. Ball ends. He is excused as we wait for next witness.

Rexburg PD Detective David Stubbs is now called in to testify.

Det. Stubbs says he met Lori Vallow on 11/26/19 at her apartment. He says he was w/ Lt. Ball and a sergeant. This was in regards to the welfare check for JJ Vallow.

Stubbs confirms there is body cam footage of the meeting with Vallow. He was wearing the camera. Now exhibit 14 is behind handed to Stubbs.

The item is a disc of the recordings taken by the body cam Stubbs wore. Now Prior is asking when the last time Stubbs reviewed it. He answers this morning was the last time.

Right now the body cam footage is about to be played. We can hear audio but cannot see it. Only those in the courtroom can.

Wood is going to have footage played and stop it at points to ask Stubbs what’s going on.

Body cam footage has started playing from the day of 11/26/19 when Stubbs came to Lori Vallow’s home for the welfare check.

I’ll describe what I hear.

Police knock on the door. Vallow answers. Lt. Ball asks if he can chat. Vallow says JJ is in AZ with one of her friends.

Vallow is heard on camera asking “what is all this?”

She says JJ is with Melanie Gibb. Alex Cox is also in the home at this time of the recording. She says she has had to move around a lot. She says her “other brother” is trying to kill her for “$2M life insurance.”

Vallow tells detectives Kay Woodcock called police. She explains how her former husband Charles switched life insurance beneficiary to Woodcock. Vallow is heard saying Kay is trying to cause her trouble.

“Everyone is causing me trouble right now.” - Lori Vallow

She then says her daughter Tylee Ryan goes to BYU Idaho. Vallow also claims she will move JJ back to AZ because of his special needs.

Kay and Larry react to the body camera footage. On the recording, police tell Vallow they just want to check on JJ. They ask who were the two men detectives made contact with (Cox/Daybell).

Police ask about Daybell: “Didn’t his wife pass away recently?”

Vallow doesn’t answer.

More from recording: Vallow tells police she plans to move in with Melanie Gibb. She is speaking fast and giggling. Conversation wraps up and police leave.

Stubbs says he and Ball went back to Vallow’s door. There is a second file we are now listening to. Stubbs says he wanted to know how he could get a hold of Melanie Gibb.

Daybell watches the body camera footage. During this recording, Stubbs & Ball go back to Vallow’s door. She says Gibb took JJ to watch Frozen 2. Gibb had not answered calls from police at this point.

Wood moves onto cell phone records and what Stubbs knows about GPS tracking devices. This case involves those elements specifically focused on Lori Vallow’s brother Alex Cox (deceased).

[e-mail]

Det. Stubbs says email address belonged to Alex Cox. Search warrant of Google records returned data to police - thousands of pages.

Wood is getting to location pins and how Cox was placed at Daybell’s property multiple times in September.

Prior mentions that the devices traced to Cox does not mean that he is placed where the device is located at the time.

Stubbs is excused after a lengthy direct and cross examination of his knowledge of Cox’s locations based on Google records.

This is Wynn Hill, next on the stand. He is employed with BYU Idaho as Dean Of Students.

Remember - Lori Vallow claimed Tylee Ryan attended BYU Idaho. Prosecution asks if Hill checked registration records for Tylee. He says he checked w/ her DOB on 2/28. Result: no info on Tylee Ryan.

Now: Melanie Gibb called to the stand.

This testimony is much anticipated. Gibb did podcasts w/ Vallow and Daybell. They shared the same alleged religious beliefs and according to Gibb - Daybell & Vallow believed their mission was to rid the world of zombies.

Melanie Gibb on the stand.

The nature of Gibb’s connection to Daybell: She says his relationship to Lori Vallow and the books he wrote. She says she met Vallow at church in Mesa.

Wood: “When was the last time you saw Tylee Ryan?”

Gibb says July or August of 2019 at her home in Chandler.

Gibb tells Wood she was in Rexburg, Idaho to visit Lori beginning on 9/19. She left the morning on 9/23. She says they spent most of that trip w/ Vallow. Gibb confirms seeing Daybell at LV’s home 2-4 times.

How did Daybell and Vallow interact w/ each other?

Gibb says affectionately, holding hands and kissing. At this time, Daybell was married to his wife Tammy.

Gibb says she never saw Tylee during that visit. Did she ask about her? Gibb says Vallow told her Tylee was with friends at BYU Idaho. She did see JJ in the family room mostly.

Onto the night of 9/22/19. Wood asks what Gibb recalls doing. Gibb says she was recording a podcast w/ Vallow and her boyfriend David Warwick. She did not see JJ but did see Alex Cox.

Now she says she saw Cox bring JJ into the house during the podcast recording. Gibb remembers Cox carrying JJ who was asleep at the moment.

Regarding a conversation w/ Vallow, Gibb says the mother told her JJ was climbing upon the cabinets and fridge, knocking down a picture of Jesus. This was the the next morning on 9/23.

Gibb says Vallow wanted JJ to move in w/ his grandma Kay Woodcock. Gibb also says Vallow planned to tell Kay she was sick as a reason for the move. Gibb followed up, saying Vallow later told her she told Kay she had breast cancer.

Gibb tells Wood that Daybell called her after the welfare check and told her police would call her so “don’t pick up.” He allegedly said Vallow told police JJ was w/ Gibb. Gibb thought he was w/ his grandma only to find out he wasn’t.

Gibb says Vallow told her over the phone to just take a picture of random kids running by to show that JJ was w/ her in AZ.

Gibb says Vallow accused Kay Woodcock of trying to kidnap JJ. Vallow allegedly quoted Kay saying “it’s not like I’m gonna kidnap him.”

Gibb says Vallow wanted to protect JJ from Kay & other family members.

Gibb explains why she didn’t respond to RPD. She says first because Daybell told her not to & that Vallow claimed JJ was in danger. She later spoke to Gilbert PD Det. Ryan Pillar. He’s investigating the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux, ex-husband of Vallow’s niece Melani.

Pillar was working w/ Rexburg Police to find JJ. Gibb says she recorded a phone call (21 mins) w/ Vallow and Daybell. The conversation discussed where JJ was and why they asked her to lie to police.

Gibb says she used her boyfriend’s phone to record the call on 12/8/19. Three days later - the body of Tammy Daybell is exhumed and the day after that - Alex Cox dies.

I believe we are about hear the recorded call.

15 minute recess.

Witnesses on the stand (8/3)

1. Det. Ray Hermosillo ✅
2. Lt. Ron Ball ✅
3. Det. David Stubbs ✅
4. Wynn Hill ✅
5. Melanie Gibb

Subpoenaed:
FBI Special Agent Benjamin Dean
FBI Special Agent Steven Daniels
FBI Agent Gary Lyu
Idaho St. Police Forensic Services - Rylene Nowlin

On the phone recording, Gibb introduces what she is about to do. Then dials and Daybell picks up saying “Hello sweet Melanie.”

Vallow asks Gibb “how are you doing babe?”

Gibb then asks Vallow about JJ about him going to Kay Woodcock’s house.

Vallow said she had to move him elsewhere.

Vallow: “There’s people after me.”

Then she and Daybell tell Gibb they want to keep her protected. Gibb asks why Vallow told her to tell police JJ was w/ her. Vallow says family members were working w/ Kay against her. Vallow says JJ is “safe and happy” during the call.

Vallow tells Gibb on the call about JJ’s whereabouts: “I don’t want anyone to know.”

Gibb: “Are you gonna come back?”

Vallow: “I will do whatever the Lord needs me to do.”

It’s been a terribly long day for Kay and Larry Woodcock, reliving this nightmare in full detail. They are still listening to this phone call between Vallow, Gibb & Daybell.

Vallow and Gibb are recorded on the call speaking about scriptures. Gibb wanted to read her a specific scripture.

“I promise you I have done nothing wrong in this case.” - Vallow

“The darkness of Kay.. you know she’s dark,” Vallow goes onto say.

Near the end of the call, Vallow wonders if Gibb is recording her.

“I believe you have been very deceived by Satan,” Gibb says to Vallow on phone.

“Tammy dies, your husband died... in my gut it feels weird... I have always felt weird about these things.” - Gibb

“You know me Mel. It sounds like you’ve been influenced by someone dark.” - Vallow

Daybell joins in on the call. He says his own children were there when Tammy died. He said she was physically falling apart and hates doctors.

A family member of Tammy tells me she was in great health.

Daybell also says he knew his wife would die for a few years.

Vallow: “I’m sorry I included you in those teachings,” in response to Gibb saying she has had a bad feeling for a while.

The call starts to intensify w/ spiritual talk.

Vallow starts to become angrier. The argument becomes about scriptures. Gibb accuses Vallow of opening “dark portals” on this phone call.

“I’m sorry that you don’t want to me protect my children.” - Vallow

This turned into a catty fight over the phone. Gibb and Vallow arguing over the alleged affair she had w/ Daybell.

“We’re both standing there with Jesus Christ.” - Vallow

Gibb says phone call cut off right after.

All parties agree to recess for the day and return tomorrow.

My goodness.

Continuing Daybell Preliminary Hearing thread here. We expect to see cross examination of Melanie Gibb as well as her boyfriend David Warwick taking the stand. FBI agents have also been subpoenaed & employee w/ Idaho State Police Forensice Services. #fox10phoenix

But first, this “newsletter” allegedly written by Chad Daybell on 3/7/19. It talks about his vision of “a night of fire” couple months after a St. George Church burned in Utah. The doc says characters in his books are based on his kids & the villains are based on real people too.

Daybell just walked in as the hearing is about to begin.

We start with cross examination of Melanie Gibb. We ended day one w/ her testimony.

Daybell’s attorney John Prior is questioning Gibb about a “preparedness camp” w/ potential religious undertones. He asks her to explain the nature of the camps.

NOW: fox10phoenix.com/fnn83

Cross examination is heating up as Prior questions Gibb on specific dates. He asks if she has ever been medically diagnosed w/ an auditory disorder.

Gibb says she met Lori Vallow at a “preparedness class” at LDS church in Mesa. Daybell was not there. Gibb says she did see Daybell a week or two after meeting Vallow - this time in St. George, Utah at a speaking event on science, Book of Mormon evidence & dreams/visions.

The vibe between Prior and Gibb is clearly contentious. It appears he wants to know her role/religious beliefs in connection to Daybell/Vallow.

She just asked him to speak closer to the mic.

Prior asks how close Gibb was to Vallow.

“You shared beliefs about your visions?”

“Not my visions.” - Gibb

Prior is asking about Gibb’s contact w/ Gilbert Police. 11/26/19: Det. Pillar contacted her and she called him back in an hour or so. Initially, Gibb says she had JJ w/ her & then she didn’t.

She confirms she lied to police & then told the truth 12/6/19. More than a week passed.

Judge points out that Prior is interrupting Gibb when she tries to answer.

Prior: “Did at anytime did you have a face to face with anybody from the Rexburg Police Department?”

Gibb: “Not until a few months ago until they (Lt. Ball, Det. Hermosillo, Rob Wood) came to speak to me.”

Prior asks if there was a “deal” offered to Gibb to testify in regards to lying to police. Gibb says never.

Prior wants to know if Wood coached Gibb in any way before she testified. She says no.

“He asked me questions and I gave him answers.”

David Warwick and two of Wood’s staff were there along w/ Det. Hermosillo & other officers.

According to Gibb, she has spoke. To the FBI 2-3 times. She cannot recall the dates.

Prior is going down each month of 2020 to see if that is when she spoke to FBI. She can’t quite remember.

Now Gibb clarifies that she only spoke to FBI on the phone. Prior is transitioning to discuss her relationship with Lori Vallow’s brother Alex Cox.

Gibb says she met Cox shortly after meeting Vallow. She says the siblings were very close.

Prior: “Were they (Cox/Vallow) extremely close?”
Gibb: “I would say yes.”

Now onto the 12/8/19 phone call recording. Gibb again confirms she was not prompted to do it by LE.

Now Prior moves on to the 9/19/19 visit Gibb and Warwick took to see Vallow in Rexburg.

Prior asks about Tylee and JJ. Short questions and answers. Gibb says she wasn’t very close to the kids.

Prior says Gibb’s son says he had a visit with JJ Vallow when he didn’t. State objects calling it hearsay.

Prior moves to 9/22 when Gibb says she looked at real estate property near Daybell’s home w/ Warwick. CD wanted to show land to Warwick, to consider building there.

Gibb says Alex Cox was there too.

Later that day back at Vallow’s home, Gibb recalls Cox being in and out that day on 9/22.

Three bedrooms in the Vallow apartment. Gibb in one, Warwick in one, Vallow in one and JJ apparently had a bed in the corner of her room.

As for the podcast Gibb says she recorded w/ Vallow, they were interviewing Warwick. The topic focused on their beliefs connected to LDS church.

From what Vallow shared w/ Gibb, she and Daybell visited each other often.

Now Prior and Gibb are going over places Vallow lived last year.

Prior brings the conversation back to how close Cox was with Vallow. Asking if he followed her around.

Gibb says they were “always around each other.”

Now moving to biblical characters Gibb says she and Vallow talked about.

Judge again calls Prior out for interrupting Gibb at end of her answers.

Gibb is educating Prior on King Noah and how he broke away from his group and breaking commandments. After an objection from Wood, Prior says he wanted to know more about Gibb’s reference to Noah on the recorded phone call w/ Vallow.

The topic of adultery is being discussed along w/ a specific scripture in Book of Mormon.

Gibb says Vallow & Daybell understood her reference.

“Excuse my ignorance. I just didn’t understand,” says Prior.

Prior whispers something to Daybell after briefly questioning Gibb’s about his books. Nothing further to add. Brief recess begins.

First portion of Day 2 - spicy.

We are back.

Wood wants to briefly question Gibb.

Wood asks if Daybell and Vallow we’re infatuated with each other. Gibb answers yes. The two met in Fall 2018 and Gibb says they met often even as Vallow lived in AZ. Both married at the time.

Brief question and answer. Gibb is now excused. Enter David Warwick to the stand.

Warwick is the sixth witness called to testify by the State. He is a general contractor who lives in Utah, and Gibb’s boyfriend.

Wood: “How long have you known Chad Daybell?”

“We crossed paths over the last five years.” - Warwick

Warwick came to Idaho for a conference set for 9/21/19. He stayed at the Vallow home in Rexburg, accompanying his girlfriend Melanie Gibb.

Warwick says he saw JJ Vallow at Lori Vallow’s home. But he says JJ didn’t acknowledge him at all. He is aware JJ had autism.

Back to the night of 9/22. Warwick says he saw JJ when Alex Cox brought him inside the home and put him to bed.

Warwick can’t recall the exact time but says it was later in the night.

Then on the morning of 9/23, Warwick says he went downstairs to say goodbye to everyone. Gibb & Vallow were there but not JJ.

Warwick says Vallow told him that JJ was being a zombie, climbing on cabinets in the kitchen. He says Vallow called JJ “out of control” and Cox came to get him.

Wood has no further questions. It’s time for Prior to cross examine.

Prior asks how many times Warwick saw Daybell during the visit. He answers 2-3 times. The main meeting was the trip to see property. Warwick says it happened near Daybell’s home. Vallow, Gibb & Daybell came w/ a realtor.

Prior asks Warwick if Gibb has a hearing disorder. Warwick does and court has provided him headphones for this preliminary hearing.

Now Prior moves onto the topic of Daybell’s books. He is asking Warwick if he is familiar w/ the writings and read them. Warwick has not.

Prior questions Warwick about his hearing ability at the Vallow home during his visit. Warwick says he had issues sometimes but always asks for clarification. Appears Prior wants to know if he or Gibb heard what was allegedly said to them clearly.

Warwick is excused.

Lieutenant Jared Willmore is called to the stand.

Willmore works for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and oversees Telmate system inmates use to make calls and take virtual visits.

Calls are recorded and stored in a system online. But attorney/client privilege is protected.

Exhibit #20 being admitted after prosecution asks Willmore about listening to Lori Vallow’s jail calls. The exhibit is a CD of digital call on 6/9/20 - the day remains of JJ and Tylee were found.

Willmore says Vallow made this call to Chad Daybell. Wow.

We are about to listen to this call.

Kay and Larry Woodcock look on as call begins to play.

Call is playing. Daybell tells Vallow investigators are at his home.

“Are they seizing stuff again?” - Vallow

“They’yre searching.” - Daybell

It’s hard to hear exactly what Daybell is saying. But Vallow sounds very calm and upbeat on the phone call.

Short recess. IT coming in to check out the audio playback.

Court is back in session. Let’s see if we can hear this phone call.

Still a bit hard to hear Daybell clearly on this call...

Vallow says something like “what can I do for you?” In a consoling tone of voice...

“Okay I love you. I’ll try to call you later?” - Vallow

Daybell would be arrested later that morning. They say I love you and hang up.

Next witness up is @FBISaltLakeCity Special Agent Steven Daniel.

Daniels*

Daniels, Senior Team Leader for the FBI Evidence Response Team.

He says one week before the search at Daybell’s property, he helped develop search strategy, working w/ local LE.

Daniels assigned rolls to 8 ERT members. Some of the first steps were to secure scene and make sure team was safe. Photographer started taking entry photos at eastern part of the property.

Onto “areas of interest.” Wood asks how many there were at the property. Daniels says satellite imagery, cell phone pings and text message helping prioritize areas on property.

Wood wants exhibit 10 from yesterday put on the easel for Daniels. It shows the Daybell property. With a laser pointer, Daniels points at the fire pit area.

“That was our number one priorty area going in.” - Daniels

Then, the next priority was the pet cemetery area.

Once entry photos are taken of the fire pit, two team members assess the fire pit area. Then FBI noticed a statue of a dog and a grave, referring to pet cemetery.

Now Daniels is discussing the pond area by a tree in Daybell’s backyard.

Daniels is the agent who cut open the black plastic bag JJ Vallow was found in.

He felt a round object. “To me it just felt like the shape of a skull.”

Areas where remains were discovered.

North side of pond area: Remains of JJ buried.

Pet cemetery next to fire pit: Remains of Tylee buried.

Both sites correspond to where GPS pings from Alex Cox’s phone came from 9/9 and 9/23.

On the morning of 9/9, investigators say Daybell texted his wife Tammy. He said he shot a big raccoon along the fence and buried it in the pet cemetery. But police say they found remains of a cat and dog. No sign of raccoon.

As you can imagine, this is gut wrenching for JJ’s grandparents to listen to. For the past two days a crime victim assistant has been sitting next to them in the gallery.

A major piece Daniels remembers finding during excavation he says is “possible pelvic piece.”

“We knew at that point we had found human remains.” - Daniels

*graphic*

FBI found pieces of charred bone, some still pink with tissue. ERT put them in bag and gave it to coroner.

This came from “burial site #2” where Tylee Ryan’s remains were found in pet cemetery. All this happened on Day 1 of the search alone.

Back at the specific site the next day (6/10), Daniels says team went back to same process.

“It was kind of a mass of dismembered human remains. Burnt, partially burnt.”

At the bottom of the mass, FBI finds melted green bucket. Next to it is a skull.

This is the most detailed breakdown from a witness on the recovery of the childrens’ remains. The process and strategy of the investigation and how the remains were found. Such a crucial testimony. And completely devastating.

Rewind back to 1/3/20 in snowy, freezing Salem, Idaho. Daniels is about to discuss the search at the Daybell property. This was more than a month before Lori Vallow was arrested one Kauai.

Recess for lunch. Court will reconvene in 80 minutes.

Back from recess. We will see John Prior cross examine FBI Special Agent Steven Daniels. This last half of the day will wrap up Chad Daybell’s preliminary hearing.

Prior focuses now on the pet cemetery crime scene. He asks Daniels if it would surprise him that the area is 20x20 not 10x10 as he said earlier. Daniels answers it would not surprise him.

As for the animal remains discovered, Daniels tells Prior they were of a dog and cat.

Prior is asking if ERT dug up the area outside of the 10x10 area Daniels assessed as burial site #2.

Prior is suggesting that FBI did not excavate the entire pet cemetery area. Daniels is repeating that the team dug up the areas strictly designated as burial sites.

Remember, Daybell claimed he buried a dead raccoon he shot via text to his wife Tammy back on 9/9/19. FBI did not find said raccoon remains.

Prior gets heated. Accuses Daniels of not answering his specific questions and instead adds in extra information.

Daniels is excused.

Lt. Joseph Powell w/ Fremont County SO is next up.

Lt. Powell says he received evidence from ERT. He transported evidence to FCSO.

Brief direct questions from prosecution. Powell is excused.

Next witness, Det. Bruce Mattingly w/ FCSO.

Mattingly assisted w/ the search warrant execution at the Daybell property on 1/3.

Mattingly says he took possession of all the items recovered from the search. He logged the items into evidence back at FCSO.

Mattingly is excused.

.@FBISaltLakeCity Agent Gary Lyu is the 11th witness called to the stand.

Lyu is a forensic examiner. Mattingly who we just heard from, transported items of evidence to FBI in SLC.

We know FBI recovered two cell phones from the Daybell home on 1/3/20. Lyu specializes in smart phone forensics.

Exhibit 30 is admitted. It’s a chain of custody form for specific item. Lyu says it’s dated 1/15/20. Det. Mattingly dropped this item off to FBI SLC. This item is an LG cell phone. Lyu took possession 1/16.

Lyu describes how the phone looks in appearance and cover design. Purple glitter and hearts on the case. Lyu says he turned it on and tried to extract data off device. He could not because it was locked.

Lyu packed the phone and sent it back to FBI to get it unlocked. It came back to him on 3/12.

Lyu is excused. Special Agent Benjamin Dean is on the stand. He is an intelligence analyst.

That cell phone date was eventually extracted.

Dean says he began assisting the investigation in late March. He received a hard drive and thumb drive belonging to Chad Daybell. He completed review in late May.

Lot of technical terminology. Basically, Dean received two discs using a Blu-ray reader. He found a sub folder one one disc with cell phone data content.

Dean reviewed specific cell phone data belonging to Tammy Daybell’s device. Incoming messages addressed Tammy and outgoing texts as Tammy confirming the ID.

All outgoing messages and calls stopped from this device on 10/18/19, the day before Tammy died. Clearly, Dean confirms this belonged to her.

Now Dean identifies a phone number contact for Chad Daybell sending messages to Tammy’s device. The phone number was also connected to a group chat on Tammy’a phone.

Idaho AG is investigating Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow for conspiracy, attempted murder and/or murder in the case of Tammy’s death. No charges have been filed. Tammy’s autopsy report is pending.

Dean just read this text conversation. He says it caught his attention and was longer than the other details in messages between Chad and Tammy. Texts were usually short regarding errands, bills.

https://twitter.com/jlumfox10/status/1290703906738040832

After reviewing hundreds of photos at Yellowstone via FBI Tipline, Dean noticed that this specific photo from Lori Vallow’s Icloud taken 9/8/19 when Tylee was last seen alive could be connected to the 9/9 Chad-Tammy text messages.

Investigators say Alex Cox’s cell phone places him at the Daybell property from 10:57-11:39 AM. Daybell texts Tammy about killing the raccoon 14 minutes later at 11:53.

Court is back in session. Dean will be cross examined by John Prior now.

After Prior goes back and forth on how Dean decided which text messages from Tammy’s phone stood out the most, Dean is excused.

NOW: Rob Wood makes his closing argument.

Wood says JJ and Tylee were victims of homicide. Wood appears to become emotional as he reads closing argument.

Wood says this court watched Lori Vallow tell police JJ was in AZ and then in a recorded phone call w/ Melanie Gibb, Vallow admitted she did what the Lord told her to do.

Wood asks Judge Eddins to send this case to District Court as he concludes.

Prior responds by saying this is not evidence of an overt act. He says judge should dismiss the charges of conspiracy to conceal, destroy or alter evidence. Ruling will come today from Eddins.

Brief recess as Judge reviews his notes.

Prior’s argument is there is no evidence Chad Daybell is responsible for concealing the remains of the children despite the crime scene discovered on his property.

BREAKING: Judge rules that the State’s case against Chad Daybell will go to District Court.

Arraignment set for August 21 in front of Judge Boyce. Judge Eddins finds that State met requirements in proving probable cause.

Change of venue outside of the 7th Judicial District of Idaho is a possibility. 60 days from today is deadline for State or Defense to motion for change of venue.

Steven Boyce was a Bonneville Co. Magistrate Judge before Gov. Brad Little appointed him to be district judge in 7th Judicial District Court in May 2019.

NEXT: Preliminary hearing for Lori Vallow’s case set for next Monday-Tuesday (8/10-8/11) at 9AM MST. Represented by @MeansLaw & accused of two counts of conspiracy to conceal, destroy or alter evidence along w/ 3 misdemeanors.