Lori Vallow trial – live: ‘Cult mom’ refuses to give defence after court sees poolside video following murders

“Doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow has made the shock decision not to offer any defence in her high-profile trial for the murders of her two children and new husband’s wife. The 49-year-old is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife Tammy, 49. Tylee and JJ were last seen alive in September 2019. In June 2020, their remains were found buried on the Daybell property. Tammy died one month after their disappearance in October 2019. On Tuesday, the prosecution rested its case after calling around 60 witnesses over the last five weeks – with jurors seeing footage of Ms Vallow relaxing and sunbathing poolside with Mr Daybell in Hawaii when authorities served her with court papers to present her children to authorities. When it was the defence’s turn to begin its case, Ms Vallow’s attorney Jim Archibald abruptly told the court that “we don’t believe the state has proven its case so the defence rests”. Closing arguments will get under way in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, on Thursday before the jury begins deliberations. Read More Lori Vallow will not present any defence witnesses in trial for her children’s murders Lori Vallow ignored stepsons’ pleas as she exchanged romantic texts with Chad Daybell after husband’s death Lori Vallow trial hears autopsy details that show Tammy Daybell was likely restrained during her murder Who is Lori Vallow? The ‘doomsday cult mom’ on trial for her children’s murders Lori Vallow’s disturbing texts revealed: ‘A reason to scream’