Thread by @jlumfox10

Here at the Ada County Courthouse for Day 5 of testimony. It’s been a long week w/ a lot of evidence. Will start today’s thread here.

Also - everyone wish @NateNewsNow a happy birthday!

Lori Vallow just got seated. She has a black blazer and white pants with black pattern on them. Jim Archibald pours her a cup of water. She’s talking to both attorneys.

Det. Nate Duncan w/ @ChandlerPolice was on the stand yesterday, questioned about the murder of Charles Vallow in AZ. Prosecutors wanted to submit evidence the defense had issue w/ since it’s a separate case. State argued Idaho rule 404B says evidence is admissible to prove motive

Expect Duncan to continue testifying. Prosecution wasn’t done with direct exam. Court is now in session.

Det. Duncan takes the stand. We are waiting for the jury.

Jury is seated. Brief sidebar. Lori turned around and flashed a big smile in this direction, we assume for attorney John Thomas’ wife who is seated in front of us.

Direct exam starts up. Lindsey Blake asks Duncan about cell phone data and iCloud account for Charles Vallow.

Duncan says this took place in January of 2020 when he was aware of JJ and Tylee missing, Tammy Daybell’s death and the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux.

Duncan: We were working with LE in Idaho to find JJ and Tylee but at the same time trying to find evidence for Charles’ case.

Blake wants to admit exhibit 49. This is the PowerPoint presentation Duncan put together.

PowerPoint begins with Charles’ cell phone data.

We are looking at a typed letter written to Chad Daybell from Charles Vallow.

But we know Charles didn’t write this letter….

Duncan reads the letter. “Charles” says he needs to have a book written about him and wants to pay Chad as a ghostwriter. He even says “we enjoyed having you stay with us in Arizona in November.”

The email was listed as [e-mail] - the IP address came from Katy, TX. Duncan says the phone number for the account linked to Lori Vallow. There’s no indication this email address belonged to Charles, says Duncan.

In a text from Charles to Lori, he confronts her about having an affair with Chad. He calls her evil.

Charles told Lori he would send this letter to Tammy Daybell, if she did not respond. He found this letter claiming to be from him on 6/29/19, 12 days before he was killed.

Charles would email Tammy. In the message, he says he has vital and disturbing info regarding her husband and his wife.

Charles sent this message to Tammy’s work email and left his phone number. He wrote in a second email with the subject line “your husband and my wife” and in the body “are having an affair. Her name is Lori Vallow…”

Charles continued to say he had definitive proof of the affair. Blake asks Duncan if Tammy read these emails. There’s no indication that she read them. It’s unknown if they were missed, read and deleted, etc.

Charles also contacted Chad Daybell via email. He said he’s not writing a book, “it’s preposterous.” He also asks if Chad’s wife knows if he has videos of Lori dancing. She sent them to Chad in January of 2019.

On 6/30/19, Charles sent a long message to Lori. He seems hurt, heartbroken and wants to get Lori’s attention.

“You have destroyed me. I have never been lower in life.”

“We have a son to raise. That’s all we have in common.” - Charles on JJ.

He says he deserves an apology from Lori.

Duncan says Lori and Charles would still talk here and there.

On 7/1/19 - Charles texts Lori that he’s going to Idaho to meet Tammy Daybell.

Lori says “she won’t see you. She’s my friend.”

These text messages are all included in the massive police report CPD released in October of 2021.

Duncan details the texts between Charles and Adam Cox, Lori’s other brother.

This conversation on 7/11/19 right before Charles was shot by Alex Cox.

Charles told Adam “Al is here.” He’s referring to Cox being at Lori’s home.

Adam would respond with “They are planning something.”

Adam said he was supposed to stay the night at Alex’s home the previous night. He tells Charles Lori probably blocked that.

Lindsey is showing Duncan a new exhibit. It’s pages printed out from the Lori4style iCloud account. There are pictures included, Duncan says.

Thomas wants it to be known on the record that the defense has objected to evidence regarding 404B but it was overruled. They won’t object to this exhibit right now. Judge is allowing it to be admitted and published.

We see four different phone numbers under [e-mail].

The four numbers have area codes or 808, 480, and 512.

Blake asks if Duncan could recover any messages from these numbers between Lori and Alex. He did.

Texts between Lori to Alex. They talk about “Ned” being gone. Lori hoped for it to happen on 3/9/19 or the next day. Alex says he confirmed “Ned is still alive.”

Duncan explains how Charles was being referred to as Ned, or his so-called dark spirit was.

A message between Melanie Gibb and Lori Vallow. Gibb says she heard what happened to Chad’s wife and “oh my gosh!”

Lori says “hello what?”

This was on 10/19/19.

On 11/22/19, Lori texts Colby saying she texted Ty to “send it” but had not heard back yet.

Lori then tells Colby she hopes he got the Venmo. “Ty said she sent it.”

Duncan says Ty is Tylee Ryan.

Through searching the iCloud account, he was able to find a Lollytime@iCloud account. It has two phone numbers listed. 480 and 602 are the area codes.

Duncan confirms this account also belonged to Lori Vallow. He located messages between Lori and Alex Cox.

Texts show that Lori told Alex to stay close to her for the next couple of days as well as Mel. “She can’t go to Utah.”

She goes on to say thanks for standing by and she will “be like Nephi! I am told! and so will you??”

These texts are sent two days before Charles Vallow’s murder.

Texts between Lori & Chad (7/18/19) a week after Charles died.

Lori tells Chad “I just got the letter from the insurance company saying that I am not the beneficiary. It’s a spear thru my heart. Who do you think he changed it to Brandon or probably Kay. He left nothing for jj.”

Prior to Charles’ death Blake confirms with Duncan that Lori had no idea she was not the beneficiary before the shooting.

This contradicts the cross exam between John Thomas and Melanie Gibb yesterday.

More texts between Chad and Lori show that Kay was suspected as the new beneficiary. Chad says it will be interesting if it got changed after he got two bullets in his chest.

He being Charles.

Another text shows Lori telling Chad that she found out from the insurance company that Charles changed beneficiary in March.

On 7/26/19, Chad texted Lori that he figured out who he feels like. “I’m a grownup version of Harry Potter who has to life with the Dudleys in his little space…”

Chad said to Lori he sensed freedom was coming.

On 7/30/19 - Chad texted Lori that Tammy’s death percentage had fallen steadily since Hiplos left. “It is encouraging.”

Charles was also referred to as Hiplos.

Duncan is now showing a text from Alex to Lori.

“Network name is anti-laman pw is 2many kids.
LV: “Funny!”

This was on 9/3/19, just days before Tylee’s last sighting.

Duncan also looked at the phone if Zulema Pastenes, he confirms with Blake.

Major evidence from Chandler case continues to be shown to the jury.

New exhibit being reviewed by Duncan before admittance.

Exhibit 51 to be admitted. Thomas once again reminds that defense has objected yesterday to all of this. It’s understood that was overruled.

Texts between Lori and Zulema Pastenes on 5/29/19.

Lori tells Zulema about an entity named Hiplos.

She says “let’s put fire energy”towards him, asking if ZP is ready.

An excerpt from the convo between Lori and Zulema on 6/2/19 regarding sending fire on Hiplos. Wild.

An email letter from “Karen” from AVOW writes to “Brother Daybell” about coming to speak to the youth in Houston, TX. This is dated 4/21/19.

“Karen” tells Chad that she and her husband have a casita on their property for him to stay.

Chad responds to Karen Walker and says he can make it.

During this time Lori was living in Houston for a little bit. Duncan has confirmed the kkwalker75 email is connected to Lori Vallow.

Blake has no further questions. Thomas will cross examine.

Thomas decides not to cross since he has stated this evidence should not be admissible. Duncan is excused.

Mid morning recess.

The State just said it intends to call Zulema Pastenes but there’s an issue that came up. A possible criminal history. Prosecutors did find a 1990s criminal conviction.

We are in court without the jury as they take a break.

Spencer Rammell says Pastenes has counsel with her. The judgement was set aside in 2015 in regards to this old conviction.

Upon getting this info, the state made counsel aware of the criminal history.

Per Maricopa County court records, Pastenes plead guilty to dangerous drug possession in 1997 and another drug possession charge in 1998.

Rachel Smith will talk about Pastenes’ counsel Garrett Smith who will be with her.

RS says Pastenes has asked that Garrett Smith sit in court on her behalf. RS says there should be no issue.

Now we will take our mid-morning break. Back at around 10:15z

You can’t say this is solely an Idaho story. 3 out of 7 witnesses who testified this week have ties to Arizona and we expect to see Zulema Pastenes at some point.

Here’s Zulema in April of 2021, interviewing with Rexburg PD AT Chandler Police HQ. Next to her is Garrett Smith, her personal counsel.

If you want to watch the full interview, here’s the link.

Zulema is the widow of Alex Cox. They got married in Las Vegas on 11/29/19. Alex died on 12/12/19 in Zulema’s Gilbert home, the day after Tammy Daybell’s body was exhumed.

Court is back in session. Rachel Smith calls on Zulema Pastenes.

Lori is watching Zulema walk in. They have not seen each other since 2019.

Zulema takes the stand and Smith will have direct questioning.

Zulema confirms she lives in Gilbert, AZ and has three children. Smith asks if she knows Lori Vallow. She says yes. When did they meet? They met in November of 2018.

Zulema says she met Lori at Melanie Gibb’s house. She was invited to see Lori speak there.

Zulema tells Smith she met Gibb when she met in the ward they lived in near the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS.

About the first meeting: Zulema says that Lori spoke about having visitations with angels and that she visited with Moroni who gave her instructions.

Smith wants to clarify what did this mean to Zulema?

ZP says if someone is getting visitations from such heavenly beings, then this person is very righteous and just spiritually above other people.

Zulema: A witness to Jesus Christ means having a personal, physical conversation with Jesus Christ. She says Lori made this testimony that this happened for her.

Smith asks ZP if she believed her. She says she did and would speak with her again.

A trip to St. George: Smith asks about Zulema setting up a meeting with Lori. ZP says it was an acquaintance that became a friendship.

This trip to St. George was for the PAP conference.

ZP says the conference helps you prepare for disasters and the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Now Smith asks ZP about Lori Vallow meeting Chad Daybell at the conference. How did the conference go for Zulema? She says she listened to speakers and looked at presentations, spoke to Chad a couple times.

On interaction between Lori and Chad: ZP says Lori told her she would stay at Chad’s table and help him sell all his book. The group even helped him pack up his table. He had one box of books left.

The group consisted of Zulema, Lori, Melanie and two other ladies.

ZP: Lori was driving and she wanted Zulema and Melanie to search scriptures on who James the Less was.

Who is JTL? Zulema says he was one of Jesus’ apostles.

Later, ZP found out that Chad said to LV they were married as JTL & Elena in another life.

As Smith asks a question, Lori looks over at her attorney and says something with a smile.

Smith is having exhibits shown to Zulema. The group of images, Zulema confirms are pictures taken at PAP conferences in St. George and another in Boise.

Two pictures are from St. George and one is from Boise.

They may be published.

We see a photo of five women at the conference. Zulema points out an author sitting down, holding Zulema’s hand, Melanie Gibb standing up, and a woman named Michelle…

The next exhibit is a photo of Chad Daybell wearing a white collared shirt, red tie sitting in between four women.

Zulema is standing on the far right, next to Chad Daybell on her left. Melanie Gibb is on the left of Chad, then Lori and another woman on the end.

Onto the Mesa PAP conference where Chad Daybell had another table. Zulema says she went on her own.

“Lori had been ghosting me.”

But when Zulema saw Lori at the conference, she says she was invited by LV to her house for a gathering after the conference.

ZP: She told Charles to go somewhere so people could stay at her house for the conference.

Who stayed over? ZP says these four did.

Audrey
Sarena Sharpe
Chad Daybell
An artist who was a the conference

Smith continues to ask questions about the event. Zulema is having trouble recalling some info.

Smith asks Zulema about what a blessing means. At the Mesa PAP conference, Zulema says Chad told her that he would give her a blessing if she went to Lori’s home.

Zulema describes going out to the backyard with Lori and Chad to talk. Smith asks about what.

Zulema: I don’t remember what we were talking about. She was playing basketball and asked Chad to play basketball with her.

ZP says she felt awkward.

Zulema says she felt like a third wheel and noticed Lori was flirting with Chad.

When Chad gave Zulema a blessing, he told her she was a very special being and special person. ZP recalls that he told her she would do amazing things in the future and he was grateful to know her. Lori was present.

When Smith asks if there was a meeting between Zulema, Melanie, Lori and Chad at the Gibb home.

Chad was a guest on LV and MG’s podcast.

Lori seems very interested, listening to the testimony.

When they had lunch, Zulema says Chad told her he wanted to give her some information but Chad and Lori didn’t want Melanie to know.

Chad called Zulema later what her prior lives had been. ZP says he told her about his light or dark rating system.

ZP says Chad told her she was Lori’s daughter in another life but she had been raped, killed and dismembered by the Mennonites.

Lamanites. ****

Yeah, this a lot.

Zulema was rated a 4.2L according to Lori and Chad.

Lori was a 4.3, ZP says.

Part of our report in April 2020. Ratings of light and dark.

https://twitter.com/jlumfox10/status/1256084527815876608

ZP tells Smith about the “demon” in Charles that Lori talked about.

During the PAP conference in Utah, ZP recalls Lori telling her about financial difficulties with Charles.

ZP: Lori received $65K on life insurance policy for Joseph Ryan, her third husband and father of Tylee Ryan.

ZP: Lori gave me a sticky note for my “prior lives” and did that for other girls as well.

From what we’ve heard from Melanie, Zulema and Brandon, people really looked up to Lori, followed her and believed what she was teaching.

Good amount of jurors look to be taking notes, absorbing all of this terminology. Demons, dark spirits, castings…

If you want more context on the “past lives” story.

fox10phoenix.com/news/documents…

Two new exhibits about to be entered. Photo of Zulema with Melanie Gibb and Sarena Sharpe. Another photo of the three women standing back to back holding their fingers out like guns.

Smith asks about the castings done at Zulema’s home. There was one in March 2019 and she doesn’t remember the next one exactly.

Lori allegedly told ZP that even though the group had cast out an evil spirit named Garrett, a new demon with more skill had replaced him. His name was Ned.

The focus of prosecution’s questioning into Zulema’s testimony is on how this group attempted to cast out evil sprits together, at the request of Lori Vallow.

ZP: Alex believed in all of this more than anyone there.

So after the spirit named Ned was apparently removed according to Lori, ZP says the next dark spirit has been around for hundreds of years. His name was Hiplos.

ZP says the group did several castings on Charles Vallow.

Smith asks about Alex Cox’s involvement in casting out Hiplos. ZP says not that she can remember.

ZP: Lori said Charles moved to Texas because there were doctors there who help keep bodies that are possessed alive.

Zulema asked Lori why she moved to Texas with Charles. She said Lori did this to get her finances straight.

ZP: Lori mentioned the number 7/11 all the time. She had some kind of spiritual connection with the number.

When Charles was killed on 7/11, ZP says Lori basically believed this was set up by God.

On what actually happened that day: ZP says Lori told her she was putting JJ on Charles’ car & took his phone. They got into an argument & Alex was there so he got involved. Zulema says Alex was trying to protect his sister & Tylee came into the middle of this fight with a bat.

ZP: Charles had taken the bat from Tylee and hit Alex in the back of the head with it. They wrestled and then Alex got his gun and shot Charles.

Lori is sitting back, swiveling lightly back and forth. She’s watching Zulema on the stand.

On Lori moving: ZP says Lori wanted to be in AZ but then Chad Daybell told her she needed to move to Rexburg. She packed up her house and moved.

Why Rexburg?

ZP says Chad told them Rexburg would be a place of refuge when other countries would invade the United States. Rexburg would be a place for soldiers and warriors to defend the area, prepared by the Church for people to come and be safe.

Back in the courtroom. Still more testimony to come from ZP. But curious to see who we see afterwards if there’s time today.

Jury is seated. Back on the record. Rachel Smith will continue direct exam of Zulema Pastenes.

ZP talks about how Lori would finance her way to Rexburg. Lori told her she was getting social security benefits on behalf of Tylee Ryan & the $4K in SS for JJ Vallow as well as some SS benefits on behalf of Charles’ death. (Not life insurance)

ZP says Lori didn’t have to work.

ZP: Lori said Tylee had to be free.

ZP when she asked Lori what she meant, Lori put her hand to Zulema’s face and said “don’t ask.” This was during a quick visit by Zulema to Rexburg before JJ was last seen.

ZP: She started saying that JJ had been attacked by demons before moving to Rexburg. Tylee had been attacked by a demon named Hilary.

On JJ’s service dog Bailey: There were spirits attacking JJ and going into Bailey bc it’s easier to attack a dog, ZP recalls Lori saying to her.

When Zulema visited in mid September, she said Lori had hired a nanny to help take care of JJ.

At this time, Tammy Daybell was still alive and Chad was living in Salem with his family.

ZP says that Chad told her to lie for him and say she was speaking at a conference and wanted him there.

ZP says this was so Chad could get out of the house and see Lori. Zulema says she did send the text and create the lie. She spent time at Lori’s townhome with Chad who came over. They wanted her to move to Rexburg.

Smith asks why they told her to move.

Zulema says they told her it was her mission to help them build Zion in Rexburg.

Zulema says she told them she wouldn’t be able to find a good job in Rexburg if she left Arizona.

ZP: Lori told me don’t worry about it. “Melani (Boudreaux) has enough for all of us.”

ZP says Melani had received a $100K divorce settlement after splitting up with Brandon Boudreaux.

Testimony: Chad told Zulema in an August 2019 blessing that she would move to Rexburg and get married.

We know Zulema married Alex Cox three months later.

On the Rexburg trip, Zulema says she and Alex went to dinner. She says he was really funny and they spent time watching movies and getting to know each other. She stayed in Rexburg for 2-3 days.

By Halloween 2019, Zulema says she and Alex shared their first kiss at her house in Gilbert. On her next trip to Rexburg on 11/7/19, Alex proposes to her. They become engaged.

Smith asks if she saw JJ. She says no.
What about Tylee? No.

Chad and Lori were in Hawaii.

And as we know, Chad and Lori got married two days prior. Zulema and Alex saw the pictures, sent to them by the newlyweds.

Smith asks ZP if she remembers hearing about Tammy’s death.

Zulema got a call from Melanie Gibb about it. She says her reaction was confusion.

“I didn’t know what to think.”

Smith confirms that Zulema knew that Tammy was shot at on 10/9/19.

She was with Lori in Arizona.

Lori had texted her about coming to Melani Boudreaux’s house.

ZP: Lori told me Tammy was possessed by a demon and it was no longer her. She needed my help casting.

ZP claims to not know the name of the spirit that possessed Tammy.

Smith asks if “Viola” sounds familiar.

Yes, ZP confirms.

Jurors have now heard several demon/dark spirit names:

Garrett
Ned
Hiplos
Hilary
Viola

ZP recalls Lori being on the phone that day, using the words “idiot” and “moron.”

ZP says Lori got off the phone and told her, “Idiot can’t do anything right by himself.”

Who is the so-called idiot?

Prosecutors do believe Alex Cox shot at Tammy on 10/9/19 outside her home. But she didn’t get hit at all.

Smith asks Zulema when she married Alex. She says 12/1/19.

I have their marriage certificate. It’s dated 11/29/19 and Alex took her last name.

She doesn’t remember her wedding day.

Said certificate.

https://twitter.com/jlumfox10/status/1228517588151361537

Zulema recalls Alex being on the phone with Chad and Lori on 12/11/19. The couple told him about Tammy’s body being exhumed.

Zulema says Alex told her “I think I’m being their fall guy.”

ZP: Alex said “either I am a man of God or I am not.”

Alex died the next day on 12/12/19. Police and medics responded to Zulema’s home where Alex was found laying in an upstairs bathroom.

The medical examiner says Cox died of natural causes, a blood clot in his lung.

Smith wants to admit Zulema’s journal as evidence.

We are looking at the front page of the journal. Zulema described a diagram of “multiple creations” and “multiple words” that one person can come to. We see a few vertical ovals with small circles inside.

ZP is trying to explain this to the jury.

“If the person dies, there is a 2 minute window in which a demon can inhabit the body. The original spirit goes into limbo.”

ZP shows a note that says “Brother of Jesus” - saying Chad believed in one creation he was brother of Jesus and in another the Holy Ghost.

Where is Lori in all this? Smith asks ZP.

She says Chad had chosen her as his wife and so they had been married and exalted in other worlds. She was in the same spiritual standing as he would.

Did Alex believe all that? Absolutely, Zulema says.

More notes on how to cast out evil spirits and making sure the body is destroyed.

Burning the body is one way.

Smith asks about “binding” the body.

Zulema says she believe there was an option like that.

We are seeing two pages. One is the light and dark rating system. The other page is the ratings for Lori’s family members.

Tylee was rated as dark. 4.1D

Charles was 3L. Melanie Boudreaux was 3L. Brandon Boudreaux was 3D.

JJ was 4.2L. Alex Cox was 2L.

We are seeing a photo of Zulema and three other women at a conference.. including Gibb and another photo shows Zulema and the ladies with Chad.

Smith asks if the castings were handled the same way each time?

ZP says they were similar but not the same.

ZP says Chad told them all about their gifts. Melanie’s gift was being a gatherer. Zulema’s gift was working with the elements. Sarena’s gift was being a powerful goddess.

Zulema says Alex’s gift was being a warrior. She says Chad told him that he was going to train other warriors who were going to move to Rexburg.

ZP: Lori joked about putting pills in Charles’ water.

ZP: Lori said JJ was going to live a short life because he would come back as Colby’s child. Colby is Lori’s oldest son.

Brief sidebar.

Smith only has a bit more questioning to do of Zulema.

In a brief break that’s almost over, Lori has been real smiley and chatty with attorney John Thomas.

Judge warns people in gallery to keep comments to themselves, especially near the jury.

Jury is seated. Thomas will conduct cross exam with Zulema.

Thomas says he noticed how ZP’s testimony dramatically seemed different from morning to afternoon. He asked if she spoke with anyone about the case during break. She says her nerves were a lot different and she had lunch.

Thomas asks about Lori’s personal meeting with Jesus. Did that intrigue Zulema?

She says she doesn’t know if it’s intriguing but she found it amazing. She wanted to hear more about it.

Thomas brings up a text Zulema sent to Chad about her own visions. Rachel Smith objects due to lack relevance to Chad and Lori.

Judge overrules and asks Thomas not to get too broad on topic.

Thomas: Do you believe your work on castings had a direct effect on the two children that died and the spouse that died?

ZP: Not my work, but Chad and Lori’s work did.

Thomas asks about Zulema’s job. She is an employment specialist. She helps people work on resumes and gain employment.

Thomas: So would you say this is a sophisticated job? You’re not a gullible person? This requires some sophistication.

ZP: I’m the kind of person to believe the goodness of people and see the positive side…. I have been a lot more cautious since meeting Chad and Lori.

ZP says her views have changed a bit now.

When she first met Chad and Lori, she thought they were kind, loving and law abiding.

Lori is watching Zulema intently. She’s been taking notes through the day.

Thomas asks if the blessing she got was a run of the mill blessing.

Zulema says usually it’s for strength of health.

This was different.

Thomas asks if ZP texted with Chad regularly. Mostly spiritual things, is what they spoke about.

The lunch at Firebird’s, Thomas recalls that Lori and Chad didn’t want Melanie Gibb to hear what they would say to ZP.

Zulema says that Chad had information on who she was and her past lives.

Chad allegedly told her she lived on earth four times.

Thomas wants to look at exhibit 34.

It is the diagram drawn by Zulema Pastenes.

Zulema says she hasn’t seen this diagram since she met with Idaho LE in Chandler. But she can’t recall if she drew it during the meeting or before.

Thomas points out the term “cast out” written in Zulema’s journal. She explains it means casting out an evil spirit.

Thomas asks about burning. ZP explains burning a body means a bad spirit won’t enter the body in a 2-minute window.

Thomas asks if she believed it. She said no

ZP explains how you can verbally burn somebody. You don’t do it physically, you describe it.

Lori Vallow’s public defender Jim Archibald has not cross examined anyone this week. We haven’t heard from him in court since opening statements.

Thomas says he has some more cross exam to do. Judge will have us adjourn for the day.

Judge reminds jury that they wont be needed on Monday. Everyone will be back for trial on Tuesday the 18th.