Back in the courtroom after an extended lunch. Potential jurors will begin filing in shortly for in-person questioning. Judge Justin Beresky wants 12 jurors and four alternates. Lori just walked in with a big smile. She's wearing a black dress suit with a pink blouse and is holding her paperwork.

Inside the courtroom for day 1 of Lori Vallow Daybell's jury selection. Judge Justin Beresky is on the bench, Treena Kay is on behalf of the state, and Lori's advisory attorneys are here. Lori is not in courtroom yet. No cameras for jury selection. Will post live updates here. There are around 60 seats in the gallery for members of the public. This is a much larger courtroom compared to previous Daybell hearings. The seats are padded and, personal opinion, much more comfortable than the benches in Ada County.

Several family members have been notified a verdict has been reached and it will be read at 2 p.m. MT
We are live streaming ASAP. WATCH THE LIVE STREAM HERE eastidahonews.com/2024/05/watch-…

NEW THREAD: Boyce on the bench and jurors are in their seats. An easel has been set up in front of the jury box. Lindsey Blake begins closing arguments by playing jail phone call between Chad and Lori on June 9, 2020 - the day JJ and Tylee were found. We see an overhead image of Chad Daybell's property.

It's day 30 of Chad Daybell's trial. More rebuttal witnesses are expected to be called by the prosecution. Chad is laughing and chatting with his attorney, John Prior, at the defense table. Prosecutors are at their table. #ChadDaybell You can watch the livestream here:

LIVE UPDATES: We are back in the courtroom. The bailiff reminds everyone that recording and taking photos in the hallway of the courthouse is not allowed. Three people in line were apparently recording or take selfies this morning. The bailiff says this goes against the guidelines in the courthouse administrative order and anyone doing this is in contempt of court. He reminds everyone to turn their phones off and not whisper during the trial today. #ChadDaybell

NEW THREAD: We're back in the courtroom. Prosecutors and defense are at their tables and Boyce is on the bench. Jurors are in their seats. Next witness is Asmir Kararic - at investigator with the Idaho Attorney General's Office. Kararic originally worked on the case after former Fremont County Prosecutor Marcia Murdoch asked the AG to take over. When Lindsey Blake was elected, she asked for the case back and the AG was no longer involved.

NEW THREAD: Back in court. One thing I wanted to point out (many of you caught). Prior asked Raven - notice he used the word "murder" : Is that an example of confirmation bias when you take into account all of these other reports documents statements of people who are not present at the murder?

It's day 27 of Chad Daybell's murder trial. The first person in line this morning, a man from Provo, Utah, got here at 4:05 a.m. I arrived at the courthouse around 5:30 a.m. Far less people here today compared to yesterday but most of the benches will still be full. #ChadDaybell Joseph Murray, Chad's son-in-law, will be back on the stand first thing this morning. You can read about his testimony from yesterday here.:eastidahonews.com/2024/05/live-u…

NEW THREAD: Joseph Murray, Emma's husband, is called to the stand. #ChadDaybell Joseph says he and Emma have been married for seven years. They have three children, including a newborn. Prior asks how many times he and Joseph spoke or met before last night. Joseph says just once on the phone for about five minutes.

NEW THREAD: Attorneys are back. Garth is released from his subpoena. Next witness is Forrest Fischer, Garth's attorney. Fischer works in Driggs and was asked to travel to Fremont County to provide legal services for Garth Daybell during grand jury proceedings.

NEW THREAD: We are back in the courtroom. Several people waiting in line in the hall all day were able to get into the courtroom this afternoon because others left from this morning. Garth Daybell is back on the stand. #ChadDaybell Prior asks how many times, prior to today, have they spoken to each other. Garth says no more than three including today. Garth says Prior did not tell him what to say. The only advice Prior gave him was to tell the truth.

NEW THREAD: We are back in the courtroom. Green tickets were distributed to those of us in the courtroom this morning so we have a seat. They are letting in around 12 more people who have been waiting all morning. Don't think I mentioned it, but my wife Erica is with me in court today. Our comment moderator, Peggy, is also here so don't be a jerk in the comments while she's away.EastIdahoNews.com

It's the start of week 7 in Chad Daybell's murder case (week 8 if you include jury selection). The defense will begin its case today after the prosecution rested Thursday. During opening statements, John Prior said he plans to call the following to testify:
At least three of Chad's children
Greg Hampikian - DNA expert/Co-Director of the Idaho Innocence Project/Director of the Forensic Justice Project at Boise State University

Back in the courtroom. Attorneys are at their tables and Judge Boyce is on the bench. #ChadDaybell Boyce says he is ready to rule.

We are back in the courtroom. Judge Boyce is on the bench. John Prior is sitting next to Chad Daybell. Prosecutors are at their table. Boyce has prepared a ruling on everything except count four - first degree murder for JJ Vallow. WATCH LIVE: eastidahonews.com/2024/05/watch-… Boyce says on count one, state has presented significant evidence to not grant the motion of acquittal.

We are back in the courtroom. Prior will now argue for a directed verdict - "a ruling from the judge after determining that there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to reach a different conclusion." Prior says there is no indication that Chad was present in the murders of JJ or Tylee. Prior says in regards to the conspiracy charges, there is no indication that Chad was involved.

NEW THREAD: Back in the courtroom. Blake continues to show slides with text messages. On Sept. 3, Alex texted Lori, "Wifi is on. Whatcha doin?" Lori says, "Working on Z's. What did u decide on user name and password?" Alex to Lori, "Network name is anti-laman pw is 2manykids." Lori responds, "Funny!" #ChadDaybell

It's day 25 of the #ChadDaybell trial & the prosecution will call retired FBI agent Doug Hart as its final case-in-chief witness. Judge Steven Boyce has said it will be a short day today. John Prior, Daybell's attorney, likely won't start defense case until tomorrow or Mon. Four jurors who served in Lori Vallow's trial are in the courtroom today. Larry Woodcock is also here and there are around 30-40 people in the gallery. Chad is seated next to his attorney, John Prior, and prosecutors are at their table.

NEW THREAD: We are back in the courtroom. Prior will now question Edwards. He begins by listing the law enforcement agencies that provided information to Edwards to help prepare his summary. Edwards says that is correct. Prior asks if Edwards tracked the number of calls between Chad and Lori on a daily basis. Edwards says no - only on particular days.

NEW THREAD: Back in the courtroom for the #ChadDaybell trial. Chad just walked into the courtroom. He does not have leg shackles but appears to be wearing an ankle monitor. Boyce is on the bench and jurors are in their seats. Blake will continue questioning Edwards. Blake continues with the timeline. On Oct. 7, Alex signed into the St. Anthony gun range. On Oct. 8, he conducted an internet search for "6.5 Grendel drop from 100 to 200 yards." Then "Drop from 100 to 300 yards."