Chad Daybell listens to a recording from the Madison County jail from Lori Vallow to Chad Daybell during his preliminary hearing in Fremont County on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Daybell is being charged with destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence and conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence, both felony charges. The remains of Lori Vallow Daybell's two children were found on Chad Daybell's property. (Post Register/ John Roark, POOL)
ST. ANTHONY, Idaho — The Idaho Supreme Court has officially given approval for a change of venue for Chad Daybell ‘s case to move from eastern Idaho’s Fremont County, to western Idaho’s Ada county.
“After due consideration and good cause appearing, it is hereby ordered that venue in this case be and is hereby transferred from Fremont County, Seventh Judicial District, to Ada County, Fourth Judicial District, for purposes of trial only,” Richard Bevan, Idaho’s Chief Justice wrote in a ruling dated October 20th.
Earlier this month Chad Daybell’s attorney requested the trial change venues because he believed that his client wouldn’t be able to get a fair trial with the media attention it had gathered.
Daybell faces a number of charges including murder and conspiracy to commit murder, in the deaths of his wife Lori Vallow Daybell’s children Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow. He also faces charges connected to the death of his first wife, Tammy.
In a ruling issued by Judge Steven Boyce earlier this month, he recommended moving the trial to Idaho’s capital after saying he considered factors such as the available jury pool, facilities, staffing and even the cost to move the trial.
The move will not change the judge in the Daybell trial, though. Boyce will remain assigned to the case. A date for the trial has not yet been set.
State prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty against Daybell.
Daybell’s wife Lori also faces murder charges, among other charges, in the deaths of her two children as well. However, Lori’s case has been put on hold after she was found incompetent to stand trial. She is currently receiving treatment in a mental health facility.
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