ST ANTHONY - Chad Daybell pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning to charges connected to the deaths of three people.
Daybell, 52, appeared for his District Court Arraignment before District Judge Steven Boyce. During the hearing, Daybell entered a not guilty plea on each charge handed down last month by a Fremont County Grand Jury.
Daybell and his wife Lori Vallow Daybell are accused of various crimes, including first-degree murder for the deaths of Chad’s first wife, Tammy Daybell, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow - Lori’s two children.
In attendance at the hearing were three of Chad’s children, Garth Daybell, Seth Daybell and Emma Murray. They sat behind him stoned-faced while he spoke the words not guilty.
Colby Ryan, the older brother of Tylee and JJ sat in the courtroom gallery next to JJ’s grandmother, Kay Woodcock. The two held hands while tears came from their eyes.
Law enforcement, members of the public and the media were also in attendance at the hearing.
Lori’s case is on hold after Boyce put a stay or temporary pause on the case after a psychologist deemed her not competent for legal proceedings. On Tuesday, Boyce officially committed Lori to the Department of Health and Welfare for mental health treatment.
Wednesday marks the one-year mark since investigators found the bodies of Tylee and JJ buried on Daybell’s Salem property. He was arrested and been in jail on other felonies related to the case until the murder charges came down last month.
14 окт 2024
