>> They are accused of leading a doomsday cold they are accused of conspiring to murder 3 people. They are accused of funding their love affair with insurance money and. >> Stolen Social Security payments. Lori and Chad daybell are matter where spouses dead and her children murdered and buried in the yard. It's a crime prosecutors say was fueled by 6. The power coming from their ability to convince their followers that the world was ending and dark spirits. Were taking over people's thoughts. >> These bodies which needed to be killed. Where did these beliefs come from. >> What was Chad day Bell like before he met Lori and before people started dying. Tonight we take an in-depth look at Chad daybell's believe system as his trial begins today. His wife Lori has already been convicted of murdering her children and conspiring to murder Chad's first wife Tammy what will chat trial. Look like how different will it be for more East right we're live from Boise Idaho with answers as we continue our investigation of the two-state couple Chad and Lori J. >> Of any policy and thank you for joining us tonight here on closing arguments day one. >> Get ready. It is starting again. Another case involving half of the doomsday Cup. >> Let's begin with J J little J J. His Grandma and Grandpa. This was a special special relationship. And they wanted what was best for him. And in their heart of hearts they absolutely believe the best place for him. Was to be raised by Lori. Obviously we know how that turned out. But he love Grandma and Grandpa. And they. Just wanted to make sure he would have the best and have the care and the love that he needed. There are in Louisiana, he was living. On the other side of the country first in Arizona are Texas Arizona and then ultimately Idaho. And they look forward to these. Phone calls facetime call. Where they could see and hear and talk to him and he just loved talking to grandpa and Grandma. And this is the reason that this entire investigation began and because of this bond and this love. Because all of a sudden. They couldn't get in contact with JJ. And that's what started this whole investigation the investigation started here. J J also loved his mom Lori of course he did. Love turned trusted her. Children love interest or their parents. This looked at they have in their eyes. This one when they when they see their moms is just different, it's just different the innocence of a child. Look to mom for all those little things like you know. Comfort love nurturing caring. No one is going to have you. No one should have your back like your mom has your back. The moms that are watching tonight no. The real moms. Not moms like this. But you know, and you know that look that a child has in the trust. Trust that that child. Make sure I have everything I need mom's going to be there to protect me. Moms always going to be there. And most moms are. What I call real moms, their their day-to-day at this matter what you do how you act where you've been what's going on. Your mom has your back. This case, mom murdered. I don't know what's going on in her mind we all can try to figure that out. But the facts are the facts we saw the trial we heard the evidence. We know what happened to JJ was a result of what she did she did not alone. At a minimum she had the help of her brother. J J's uncle Alex. But now the question is. Was Chad daybell also involved. Case but in the case of JJ the case of a sister take a highly and his wife Tammy that's what this trial is all about his involvement in all of this. What did he do. What was his role and how much are his. Beliefs. And his prophecies and everything that he was saying and all these these things he was telling his followers. There's like how much of that had to do with what happened to JJ and tylee and Tammy. And does it all add up to murder. Like I said get ready because this trial has happened. It started today and it's happening out Boise Idaho, not we're not we're all this happened. They went to a new venue just like new venue in Boise, other side of the state. Don Nelson from Scripps news Boise. Has a look at what's happening. >> This Lauren rebalance not guilty or guilty of the streamer of Joshua Jackson Vallow answer guilty. >> It seems as if we were just reporting that a jury convicted Lori Vallow daybell and sentence her to life in prison for the murders of her 2 youngest children and the ex-wife of her husband Chad. >> I know for a fact that my children are happy and busy in the spirit world. Because of my communications with my friend Tammy daybell I know that she is also very happy B I mourn with all of you who more now we are back to being a county courthouse for the trial of Chad daybell and Chad daybell charged with conspiracy murder and grand theft in connection with the death of lori's children JJ Vallow and tylee Ryan and charged with one count. >> Murder with the death of his late wife Tammy daybell jury selection is expected to last at least a week maybe longer and then opening arguments will begin this is a capital punishment case daybell's attorney John prior argued that it is unconstitutional Ford able to face the death penalty while his co-defendant Lori Vallow did not judge Steven Boyce writes quote the court is on persuaded that the death penalty in this instance is sought in manner that is. >> The tree or capricious despite no I'm not facing the same consequence in June of 2020 rexburg police confirmed the human remains found in Chad daybell's property were those of tylee and JJ at a pretrial conference in February of this year in Fremont County John prior told Judge Steven Boyce be plans to call 7 expert witnesses to the stand but did not say. >> Who they were Madison County prosecutor Rob wood will lead the prosecution team. >> It is happening day one of jury selection. Again you've got to find folks who even if they're exposed to this store or you may know little bit know a lot about it can sit there put everything side and be fair and impartial it's like every other case on Court TV. All we do is cover high-profile cases whether its high profile in a local jurisdiction, high-profile across the nation and around the world like this one. Let's bring in court TV crime and justice correspondent Matt Johnson, who is there at the courthouse joining us live from Boise Idaho, a match great to see you tonight so I wanted to bring us up to speed with the latest from day one of this trial which begins as all trials do with jury selection. >> Many nice to see you. Yes we're here at the ADA County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho and this is the state Capitol and this is now the second biggest trial that this state has ever seen in the history of this community and it's a much anticipated trial at least 5 potential jurors have made it through for the first round group 2 will have to arrive here at the ADA County courthouse where Lori Vallow daybell was convicted this time last year and they're going to fill out an additional questionnaire and then jury selection in Friday or will continue and you know Chad day Bell we can see this trial the cameras are being allowed that court can feed we can see Chad daybell and that pressed white shirt and tie that he wears he's been very engaged during the jury selection. And those answers that the use of a potential jurors are are giving about whether or not they can vote for the death penalty tea and we've seen quite a few people that were dismissed by the court because they said that they couldn't vote for the death penalty if any. >> You mentioned something they're very engaged which to me is. Contrast to Lori daybell get she was there she was engaged, but she was also somewhere else you know in the whatever's you know happening between those 2 years of but I you can see the difference. I mean just the past year. Of all so let's talk about the charges because the charges are slightly different as well, the charges against this man Chad daybell vs his wife Lori. >> Just slight differences, but they're facing remember this was they were joined originally when they were charged and then their cases were severed because he waived his right to a speedy trial and then there with that discovery which is the reason why I'm Lori didn't face the death penalty that's one of the main differences here but also some of the charges so let's put those on your screen for you as we go through this. Both of them facing conspiracy charges of tylee Tammy and JJ and Laurie also was convicted of the murder charge of tylee and JJ she was also convicted of grand That was one of her charges. Remember she was all about the insurance money. And also money from the government that that the children were supposed to receive whereas Chad daybell has some added charges, including insurance fraud. And then also murder of his first wife Tammy daybell. We're going to hear a lot more about her in this trial that's one of the main differences that we're going to see because Tammy daybell died on their property discovered by their son a Garth who said this to CBS 48 hours so we're expecting some of this when he's called to the stand. He told the journalist that I ran over and I picked her up talking about his mom and put her back on the bad and then I said to my dad, I said I think she's dead. He went on to say this my dad was just pacing back and forth just saying why how could this happen pointing at pictures on the wall I can't believe that she's dead like how could this be what will we do. So I can expect a lot more from. In this trial from Tammy daybell I was just looking the lead detective in the case just leaving right now they've wrapped for the day the knee, a detective Hermosillo from a rexburg Police Department they're also they're watching this very closely waiting for round 2. In this trial. >> A lot of great points there Matt and I and I think you're right you're right on here with the big difference between this case and the first case. Much bigger focus on Tammy daybell I think you're going to see a much more vigorous defense especially when it comes to Tammy daybell. >> And then you've got actual adult chilled and who are in the middle of all of this. Dad is accused of murdering mom yet the children at least some of them are in the House. And one is going to be a crucial witness in all this this is very different the other main difference and I think this folks at home will understand this is we'll get to see this trial will actually see it. >> Yeah you're right you know because they are allowing court to bring it to you live fled the first trial very different because they had severed the 2 cases in judge voice was really adamant about not taint teen. The jury pool that would be for this trial this death penalty With lori's trial. Remember they were only releasing audio at the end of the court day and we had those court sketches each and every day and then you had to rely on myself and the other reporter here to tell you about things that Lori was doing crossing her on shaking her head, not wanting to be there for the testimony about the kids being found and also laughing at the witnesses when they took the stand. But the prosecutors in the attorneys are a little bit different in this time around because Lori Vallow daybell she had different attorney she had Jim Archibald and John Thomas whereas with Chad daybell he's had the same attorney through this whole thing and that is John Pryor. >> Yeah that's going to be again different because. We're going to see a much more vigorous defense Lori Dave all I feel handcuffed her own attorneys from doing what they would do in any other case that they were defending inside a courtroom where some of those accused of murder just because of who she I don't see Chad daybell putting any restraints on John prior so I think we're going to see a very vigorous cross-examination and. >> I you know I I could foresee an attack on. >> Lori daybell and Alex Cox right that's the obvious place in this case, the obvious difference lorries not point the finger Chad daybell during her trial but I don't think it's good run that way or work that way for Chad daybell I think they're going to go after laurean out because those are 2 obvious people to go after all this. >> I think you're right vianey and I that's what we're going to see when once we have a job 3 seeded remember they're looking for 18 potential qualified jurors that's going to include 6 alternates and a lot of these people have heard from that first trial when Lori didn't take the stand and when she got very upset, you know according to my Intel when her defense attorneys pointed the finger at Chad during closing arguments that's what she was upset about when they read the verdict. So I think this time around Chad daybell planning on pointing the finger at her the goddess. I'm just calling her the mastermind is what the state said. During her trial so he may go along those lines and then you know a lot of the evidence including the cell phone records, an some of the statements from these witnesses like Zulema past Enos. Alex's wife of the They have testified that maybe he is responsible so that will be up for this jury to decide but we can definitely see the fingers pointed at those 2. >> And the bottom line there's a lot more at stake in this case for the defendant which is a potential death sentence here, you know big difference between life in prison and then death penalty serving all your time on death row, it's it's much much different. And to me that will also. >> Change jury selection as you're already seeing. But will also change the nature of the way this case plays out and what we see and hear about Chad daybell. >> You're right, you know we're going to hear more about him being the prophet and the state is going to want to point the finger at him for being the ringleader in wanting to get rid of the children remember he made those statements when they were looking for an apartment together when he was with his second wife. Lori Vallow daybell that the 2 didn't have any young we're going hear from the state about the fact that their bodies were found on his property we're going to hear a lot about these and I think that it's going to be a very different trial with a lot of the same evidence is what we can expect. >> Well stated match Johnson live in Boise where all began today jury selection day one the case against Chad I I think we'll be speaking pretty often over the next couple of months, Matt thanks so much. All right folks when we come back we're going to. >> Take a closer look at Chad daybell's beliefs system right this could this be a think that the core of everything that happened here we're going bring in a guest who knows Chad daybell very very well and will be able to explain that for us plus coming up next hour. >> In the low country of South Carolina convicted killer Alec Murdock back in the news and back in court being sentenced for his financial crimes was justice served today. ♪ >> terrible things. He shouldn't you place your trust in me. ♪ I was very proud of that. Still that. >> destroyed. addition to any change. >> Yeah, nothing bad will happen unless your name is Tammy JJ and tylee. And that was pretty that's Chad daybell speaking at a conference. And we have referred to him as as this this so-called doomsday prophet you know this sort of the the nickname that he's a tame through the through the years and the coverage of the story of this of this murder trial now. His belief system is is really at the heart of everything I believe that happened here. De David Warwick whose girlfriend is Melanie Gibb who was good friends with Lori they did podcast together and talked about these visited Chad and Lori and he talked about and described a conversation that he had with Chad daybell let's listen. >> You that week ended to see Chad daybell at all yes. >> trying to teach you about some of their beliefs. About the the galleon of the and then saying haven't powers to push people out of their bodies and and then the spears been stuck. >> Who was present during this conversation, Melanie Lori. >> So I want to understand have a much deeper understanding of Chad daybell's believe sort of a special guest joining us tonight in rexburg Idaho, religious author of the books the Church of the firstborn and tides of transportation and in the quaint Inc of Chad daybell Eric Smith is with his Eric thank you so much for joining us tonight. This is a. Such an important part of this story will be an important part of this trial in trying to understand and I know that you had some interaction with Chad daybell can we start first with with high how you knew him and when you knew him. >> Back in about 2016 there was kind of an uprising that near-death experience books in the morning call sure it was sort of what I think of as the fringe Mormon culture people who were injured students said the doctor and sand things that weren't available. The church Chad was speaking at a conference I heard He mentions a book so my wife and I went and read those books it's that they were interesting and. >> Then right about that time you move to my heat so we met up at a nearby University public location I I kind of a range that he was willing to meet and the rest is history. >> Yeah, well, it's plates so. >> You meet him he's in your city are you spending a lot of time with them are you like. >> How well do you get to know him and his beliefs. >> That's a good question. We didn't spend a lot of time together but the time we spent together was was personal that >> You >> people's homes when he was presenting his books. There was a small group of friends that were started forming around this I was in that there may be 10. 15 of us and we've got several times all in all, although in the end I probably spent maybe 5 out cars in-person win. You know, but they were attacked so are phone calls when we discuss things and it was and not in the past 4 for years, I've had to process what the heck just happened in my sort of to to understand get into a child's mind and understand what's happening and so I think I can present to you a fan a pretty accurate probably more accurate comprehensive believe structure that Chad. >> And so I we can jump into that but yeah I wanted to just give everyone a little little bit of a a a foundation for it so explain it to us explain to us Chad day Bell and his belief system. >> I like to summarize it in I think there's 3 tiers okay I can give you a high level good and then feel free to chime in on any bill that's interesting absolutely first here is just basic he was he was Mormon like everybody else and we have the same beliefs as far as I knew nothing too interesting there. This second tier I like to think of as friends mormonism which I just meant mentioned. Yeah, this is the most important one to me. And end their 3 or 4 a real basic important concepts that come from this tier and the idea is that early in mormonism each of these things were discussed Mormon Scripture and the Bible mentioned some of these these belief systems. >> But the modern church Mormon church and Christian church have little to say about it. There were a number of people who are interested in those topics and so they would they weren't getting it from church leaders there you ask them questions and they either don't know or wouldn't answer and so. A number of really hungry, you know eager learner we're researching decent heavily at those topics are all these give you a few of them the heavy hitters the Church of the firstborn you know the 144,000 didn't mention in the Book of revelation in the Bible. Another key concept that comes out of that the Book of Isaiah especially zq chapter 30 or and many others places in the Bible reference to figure a latter ♪ day and time figure and they often refer to him as the that experiment. My spirit and David or the one mighty and strong. this is that is of the utmost important when really understanding what to say it's all about where he started to go. That's the second reincarnation is also part of that second tier. The 3rd tier. I knew nothing about most of us didn't know anything about I want to be picked up from like this. And the bottom line there is this is where you start to hear about for lack of a better term I don't know like something like a except worker gas station worker, something of children. Of houses these are things I never heard him talk about most of us never >> There. >> Strange to me they are unacceptable to So I know Chad from through tears one 2 but about a year, but for all the news covered road with tanning you know time is that if he pulled away and started kind of going in different route about that time. I think it's probably when he started to develop in these through 3rd tier. Well a system and as far as I can calculate that's about when he met Lori I think there was this a firestorm the police that happened without to Chad leaves that you're to Billy's next with what I see is a a kind of a murderous component to it that came from Lori and I think those just combined and made this 6 where is it just a really unfortunate. A certain circuits that there. >> So how would you describe his relationship with. The Mormon church versus what what he was doing here so was it. Was was there any sort of did he consider himself still part of the church. How did he present to you and others. >> Yeah right until the very end as far as I understand he was in leadership calling sets what we call in the you know high ranking he was assisting Mike the Bishop in meetings in so he was he was active as far as I knew he's he's accepted him as a kid, a good number. >> But but the Mormon church Brown's upon you know people like us who are asking questions and researching and trying to understand doctor and better and so so from that standpoint I think member because of the LDS church the Mormon church went. >> Say well they started going off the deep that you know by having these meetings >> you know meetings that people's homes by reading books those things are all from the pond with more. >> Did you read all of his books. >> I'm not all of them there were like the one you have up now the one foot in the grave. I didn't read >> but they weren't here have a couple series that were about the end times that I was I came in all this through a doctor, no research I was reading scriptures and trying to understand those fringe doctrines I mentioned a minute ago. And that's why read those the end times. That was something interesting to me and and being met it church where the end times on the latter days is actually part of the title of the church I felt like it was for Game 2 restrictions things. but you find in the Mormon church you actually shouldn't really talk about that too much use you you mentioned that in a truck a meeting or something to look over their shoulders like who's this guy what's he researching you know like it's frowned upon even though it's right there in the town of the church anyway so I hope that helps answer that a lot. >> Absolutely now now getting to 2 Chad daybell and Lori and 10 me did you have any interaction with Tammy was she part of all of this these meetings. You know obviously before she passed away, but was was she kind of in the mix in these you're going around to different homes and talking about this stuff to Chad talk about Tammy. >> Those are good questions I would say she was very much not part of the next anything I ever attended related to chat, I never saw her there. I'm on the other but but my wife and I did have a like a barbecue or 2 with their family and so we met her there she was such a sweetheart she was kind but she was shy and reserved in wasn't real talkative but she did have a really funny side when she left it was just hilarious Stillwater she just had a sweet so real sweet personality. My wife and I really thought a lot of her but not a lot of interaction with her so she was not involved you mentioned Lori I never knew Lori Vallow tested that was that's kind of that tier 3 stuff I was just never exposed to and I think a lot of us in the in the North you to you know Idaho area didn't really know anything about war so that's kind of my exposure to tell >> The Eric Great to have you on the program tonight. I hope you'll join us as this case continues over the next couple months. We really do appreciate. Pleasure many. Thank you all right folks when we come back we're going to talk more about this. >> We will have a number of lori's family and my King religious cult expert, get >> Because of her and if you love and affection she would want somebody I mean if you like he was in a game. He shared her she sure can you check each additional one. The with their people off evil national each other like they got exactly what they want. You know that you can now come back to you I think >> and believe us Melanie Gibb again a friend of Lori daybell all and then got to know Chad as well giving her take on all the key witness in the case a key witness in all Let's bring in some more of our special guest joining us now in San Antonio Texas, a cousin of Lori Vallow and author of the book I walked through fire to get here Megan Connor as with us and also joining us retired police commander religious cult expert host of the profiling evil podcast Mike King great to have you both here Mike I just want to start with you on. On what we just heard Eric Smith who got to know Chad daybell pretty well. It seemed like it was a a progressive increase of of going from mormonism to like this fringe miston hour in the world of zombies and we're killing children. >> While tell you what he is something I really enjoyed listening to him what it what a great find for Court TV to bring him on. I think he hit the nail on the head Vinnie it's the idea that you have mainstream religion and then you get these people the start and I think I call him predatory people you start to go off and they send out these little trial balloons kinda sharing whatever it is their thinking is whether it's about power and control about 6 or whatever the case may be and they start finding people with like minded ideologies and you know the Internet's made this so much easier. But we see him starting to get little groups put together a household that he said 10 or 15 people in that let's not a church but that's certainly a group of people with the like-minded I thought that the world's coming to the end and then they start building upon that people start talking about a minute reaches others and kind of like that Oregon the old sci-fi movies. They get this ability to reach out and start building their their little kingdom and they build it based on something kind of familiar things like school grip sure and other things the people that or that are involved in either that faith tradition or other faith traditions might that has a ring of truth to it and then they start slowly introducing their wacky ideologies. >> Yeah, I just I'm trying to piece together which part of that ideology includes hanging out in Hawaii by the pool in the Bay insert like. >> That to me this this is what was going on here like this is such a big part of it but then we hear. >> What what. >> Drew Lori to Chad apparently were these believe she was like a follower of his. >> We'll see how it plays out in the But but Megan as we see these beliefs get more and more extreme. Are you surprised you think that Lori was pushing him or was he doing everything he could to pull her in. >> I think it was definitely a little bit of both I think she brought some of her religious beliefs to the time when she met Chad and had certainly had his owned the elegy that he sort of developed and I think when they got together it just sort of snowballed and you see in that video when Larry being served with papers under right knee is a copy of the book visions of glory and that's where a lot of this friends believe sort of came from its like Mormon church than fiction where they do describe people being possessed by evil spirits. They do describe a lot of the end times and it's supposed to be someone who's had a near-death experience and so that ties into Chad and his group of followers. And what sort of gave them an affinity for e others they were all interested in the end times and the near-death experiences and I think you right earlier when you said a man Mike was right earlier when you talk about having a little group of people that are listening to you and you start trying out ideas and see what people believe in seeing what you know resonate with people you see their reactions in the crowd and and you think to yourself OK, well they like that, so let me go take that a little bit farther. I think that's where this all started and how it started ramped up to where it it got really toxic. >> Let's listen to one of those followers. I think should be another crucial witnesses in this trial Zulema a pass teens who was one of the followers take a listen. >> That was not only gives your gift. Chan said that I my gift was that element to send me. So we have to work with elements with this gather me. Gathering people people who where are we. Which is of a Queen. I wait to the signs are aware of of the tines what of the things that are to come prior to that second can to give say Dana fighter describe for you by Lori and Chad. I do worry tell you this sorted But when What worse her death. That said that she was a very powerful got us. What about Melanie Bhutto I think you call or mentally ill. Any breach out. I don't remember. >> Mike let let me ask you about it's what's happening here like everyone has the special special gift. I guess that's what kind of keeps them hooked in all of this right. >> Yeah and they lead on these kinds of leaders that take away their own responsibility to make decisions so what they do is they here you've got Chad daybell giving people this dispensation that you are powerful in country and could control the elements and you are a really powerful goddess and these people think holy Callum something I've never really be something in my life and all I got to do is keep following this guy it kind of sounds pretty interesting in sounds like the spear virtual if I keep following him maybe I'm going to have more light knowledge than anybody else. I'm going to come closer to God than anybody else. I'm going to have my I'm here on Earth figured out for me and a place in heaven guaranteed because I'm following this person and this is what they're so good at is is deceiving the people that they are bringing you along and making them feel more important don't call it love bombing when it's just a regular Coke bringing people in and telling them how great they are. But people respond to that because all of a sudden. I am really important at least to this person is going to make the more important to a whole bunch of other people's. >> Megan did Lori try to recruit any members of the family. >> Well she obviously recruited and I think she tried to recruit her siblings and her mother cousin who is well pretty much anybody who is in proximity to her and had an interest in prepping and near death experiences and luckily, most of the family just missed those believed and and sort of rejected it but I know that some family members did attend. Some of those gatherings and listen to the podcast and get really involved obviously Alex. Followed her very closely. >> Yeah Alex absolute I mean followed her like. Literally follow her wherever she went he was he was there. I'm Mike before we run at it at a time in this trial as it's coming up. What do you expect to hear regarding this relationship between Chad Tammy because it was interesting when Eric said she was never really around. And like all this stuff is happening and she doesn't it doesn't seem like she's in the loop in any of this. >> Yeah I think what we're going to learn is that she was taking the family and trying to hold the family together she was trying to work a little bit and create some kind of a a self up preserving a career for herself and Chad was out running from place to place trying to keep together this fledging book business and I understand some books have sold really will soon see went to jail and was was focused on this crash and here but I don't think it was doing so well before that other than selling a few copies when he went to these groups of 10 or 15 people I think we're going to learn that Tammy was doing and holding the family together Chad was working on always wacky stuff that he was pushing and making affairs with women and all of that was leading up to these miraculous. Visions and prophecies of said hey God's already revealed to me that Tammy is not going to be around and I don't look at that as a revelation as much as I look at that is a premeditation been exactly a fine line between premeditation and. >> A revelation, I'm Meghan we live like a 15 seconds here. Is there anything that you didn't hear in the first trial that. You think we might hear or you want to hear more about in the second trial. >> I'm hoping to hear more about Alex's involvement in his movements and some more evidence how he participated I think that's going to put to rest some of the question that I have and hopefully bring some healing to our family. >> Well all right big. Thank you Megan Connor I walked through the fire to get
