Chad Daybell has been found guilty on multiple first degree murder charges, multiple conspiracy to commit murder charges, grand theft and two insurance fraud charges. The prosecution and defense rested earlier this week, and the jury came back with a verdict in less than 12 hours.
The verdict was read shortly after 2 p.m. The jury ruled as follows:
- Count one, conspiracy to commit first degree murder (Tylee Ryan): Guilty
- Count two, first degree murder (Tylee Ryan): Guilty
- Count three, conspiracy to commit first degree murder (JJ Vallow): Guilty
- Count four, first degree murder (JJ Vallow): Guilty
- Count five, conspiracy to commit first degree murder (Tammy Daybell): Guilty
- Count six, first degree murder (Tammy Daybell): Guilty
- Count seven, grand theft: Guilty
- Count eight, insurance fraud: Guilty
- Count nine, insurance fraud: Guilty
The capital sentencing phase of the trial began shortly after the verdict was read. Judge Steven Boyce read the preliminary instructions for the next phase and witnesses will begin Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Daybell is facing the death penalty, so the state must prove at least one aggravating factor which can include:
- At the time the murder was committed, the defendant also committed another murder
- The defendant exhibited utter disregard for human life
- The murder was committed during another serious crime
- The murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel
Right now, it is presumed no statutory aggravating circumstance exists. Boyce reminded the jury to not make a decision based on what the majority of them believe.
"There is no magical formula by which one may evaluate testimony. You bring with you to this courtroom all the experience and background of your lives. In your everyday affairs. You determine for yourselves whom you believe, what you believe, and how much weight you attach to what you are told," said Boyce. "The same considerations that you use in your everyday dealings in making these decisions are the considerations which you should apply in your deliberations. In deciding what you believe, do not make your decisions simply because more witnesses may have testified one way than the other. Your role is to think about the testimony of each witness you hear, and decide how much you believe of what the witness had to say."
After the instructions were read, court was concluded for the day.
Daybell’s wife, Lori Vallow, was found guilty last year and was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. She is currently in the Maricopa County Jail in Arizona facing further charges of first degree murder and premeditated first degree murder.
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