Chad Daybell says he should not face execution for his role in the murders of wife Lori Vallow Daybell’s children or his first wife because Lori manipulated him using sexual and emotional control, KTVB-TV reports.
In a new court filing, Chad’s lawyer argues that it would be improper to allow his client to face the death penalty if convicted when Lori, who was more responsible for the killings, received life in prison.
Lawyer John Prior wrote in a court document filed Thursday that Lori “manipulated” Chad “and remained in charge of her plan throughout,” according to East Idaho News. “Lori ‘manipulated Chad through emotional and sexual control’ and ‘Chad [was] not going to act without Lori saying so,’” Prior wrote, according to the news outlet.
“Per the state’s own presentation of evidence and arguments in the trial of Lori Vallow, Mr. Daybell has lesser culpability than his co-defendant, who did not face the death penalty.”
But even if both Lori and Chad were equally to blame, Prior wrote it would still be “unconstitutional and unacceptable” for Lori to get life in prison and Chad to be sentenced to death.
“The state has presented evidence and argued that Lori was the leader of the alleged conspiracy, and Chad only followed Lori’s direction,” Prior wrote, according to copies of the filing obtained by KSL-TV.
“Even if all of the state’s allegations were accepted as true…he is the co-defendant facing the most extreme punishment available. The state’s seeking of Mr. Daybell’s death is cruel and unusual.”
Chad faces charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the deaths of Lori’s children, 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, and his first wife, Tammy Daybell. He also has been charged with two counts of insurance fraud and one count of grand theft.
In May, a jury convicted Lori of the charges and she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A court hearing is scheduled for November 29 on Prior’s motion to strike the death penalty. The trial is scheduled to start April 1.
Lori is appealing the conviction. She also faces a charge of conspiracy to commit murder in Arizona in connection with the death of Charles Vallow, her former husband.
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[Feature Photo: Chad Daybell/Rexburg PD]
