An upcoming hearing in the case against Chad Daybell, accused of murder and conspiracy in the deaths of two of his wife’s children and his first wife, will be livestreamed using the court’s own equipment.
Judge Steven Boyce issued the ruling on Tuesday, denying a request by EastIdahoNews.com to record the hearing on November 29, which is set to hear arguments on whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom for the trial..
“The court will livestream the hearing using its own equipment,” Boyce wrote on the notice.
111423 Order Denying Request EIN by kc wildmoon on Scribd
The issue of cameras in the courtroom has been a contentious one in recent court cases, particularly those involving Daybell and his wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, who was convicted on the same charges her husband faces and sentenced to life in the prison without parole.
Boyce barred cameras for Vallow Daybell’s trial after her attorneys vehemently opposed them, as CrimeOnline has reported. But Daybell’s attorneys want the proceedings recorded.
“Defense has concerns that the lack of public access to the trial would cause financial hardship to members of families, limit the parties’ family access, limit the public from adequate access to what is a trial of great interest to the public,” attorney John Prior wrote in his September 29 motion supporting the recording.
Prosecutors, however, oppose the move.
Last week, Prior filed three motions — two seeking to take the death penalty off the table for his client and a third seeking to restrict the how the state can present its case — and asked for a hearing on those motions on November 29 “or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard.”
It’s unclear if Boyce intends to hear those motion on November 29, but on Monday, the clerk of the court notified attorneys of a hearing on motions now scheduled for December 28. The notice did not say what motions would be heard.
Vallow Daybell has appealed her conviction for the deaths of 7-year-old JJ Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, and Tammy Daybell. She has also been charged in Arizona with conspiracy in the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot to death by her brother, Alex Cox, who then subsequently died himself, reportedly of natural causes.
Arizona officials requested her extradition to stand trial, which was approved by Idaho Gov. Brad Little. But Maricopa County officials now say the extradition is delayed until Vallow Daybell’s appeal plays through the courts, KMVT reported.
The Idaho court set a deadline of January 12, 2024, for transcripts requested by the defense as part of the appeal, but no date has been set for the appeal itself.
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[Featured image: John Prior, Chad Daybell’s attorney, and Daybell/Nate Eaton]
