Lori Vallow Daybell appeals
State of Idaho v. Lori Norene Vallow Daybell
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Bench Watch Brief · Where this case stands
Lori Vallow Daybell was convicted in Idaho in 2023 of murdering her children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, and in Arizona in 2025 of two murder conspiracies. She is serving life without parole. Her appeals in both states are pending. The Idaho Supreme Court heard arguments on Nov. 2, 2026, and has not yet ruled.
The question at issue
Whether her Idaho convictions should be thrown out over the disqualification of her chosen lawyer, hearings held while she was found incompetent, Arizona evidence admitted at trial, and delays she says violated her right to a speedy trial.
Outcome
An Idaho jury found her guilty on all counts on May 12, 2023, and she was sentenced July 31, 2023, to life without parole. Arizona juries found her guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in two cases in 2025, and she was sentenced July 25, 2025, to two life terms. Both appeals are pending.
Why we're following it
An Idaho jury convicted Lori Vallow Daybell in May 2023 in the deaths of her children, Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16, and of conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell (AP via East Idaho News). Judge Steven W. Boyce sentenced her to life without parole (KSL). Her husband, Chad Daybell, was convicted and sentenced to death in 2024 (PBS).
In its brief, the state summarizes a pretrial notice of the evidence prosecutors planned to offer about how Chad Daybell, Lori Vallow Daybell and their group operated. As the group's “de facto leader,” the brief says, Chad Daybell “could determine if someone was light or dark” (state's brief).
Her Idaho appeal raises five issues, including the disqualification of the lawyer she chose, hearings held while she was found incompetent, the Arizona evidence, and her right to a speedy trial (state's brief). She asks the court to dismiss the charges or order a new trial (her brief).
Bench Watch BreakdownDirect appealShow or hide the explanation
- What it means
- After a conviction, the defendant has one appeal as a matter of right. A higher court reads the trial record and decides if the law was applied correctly. It does not hear new witnesses.
- In this case
- Lori Vallow Daybell has two direct appeals, one in Idaho and one in Arizona. Neither has been decided. Idaho's top court heard arguments on Nov. 2, 2026, and has not yet ruled.
Bench Watch BreakdownEvidence of other actsShow or hide the explanation
- What it means
- A jury usually can't hear about other bad things a defendant did, just to show bad character. A judge can allow it for another reason, like showing a plan.
- In this case
- Her Idaho jury heard about events in Arizona. The state says they showed a larger plan. Her appeal says that evidence should have been kept out.
In Arizona, she was convicted in 2025 of conspiring to murder her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, and her niece's ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. She was sentenced to two life terms (NBC News). That appeal is also pending (Arizona docket).
Bench Watch BreakdownPost-conviction relief and habeasShow or hide the explanation
- What it means
- After the direct appeal, a prisoner can still ask a court to look again, for example over a lawyer's mistakes. First in state court, then in federal court. Each step has strict deadlines.
- In this case
- In Idaho, she would have one year after her appeal ends to file in state court. Federal review comes after that. None of these steps has started.
- Why it matters
- That's why no one can say she has a set number of appeals left.
Timeline
Primary documents
- Idaho Supreme Court case page (No. 51091-2023)Other
- Her opening briefBrief · May 30, 2025
- State's respondent's briefBrief · December 17, 2025
- Her reply briefBrief · March 11, 2026
- Notice setting oral argumentOrder · August 25, 2026
- Arizona Court of Appeals docket (1 CA-CR 25-0350)Other
- Idaho Code 19-4902 (post-conviction deadline)Statute
- 28 U.S.C. 2244 (federal habeas deadline)Statute
Our coverage
Video · East Idaho NewsWhere Lori Vallow Daybell's appeals stand, and what's left
She was convicted in two states. Both appeals are pending, and Idaho's top court heard hers on Nov. 2. Here's how the process works, and why no one can say how many chances she has left.
· 2 min read
Key questions
- Is Lori Vallow Daybell appealing?
- Yes, in two states. The Idaho Supreme Court heard oral argument on Nov. 2, 2026, and took the case under advisement; a written decision is expected within months. Her Arizona appeal is also pending, and the state's answering brief is due Dec. 21, 2026. Neither appeal has been decided.
- How many appeals does Lori Vallow Daybell have left?
- There isn't a fixed number. She has one direct appeal in each state, and both are under way. Arizona combined the appeals from her two cases there into one. After those, she can ask higher courts for review, then file for post-conviction relief in state court and habeas in federal court, each with its own deadlines.
- What is Lori Vallow Daybell serving?
- Life without parole in Idaho for the murders of her children and conspiracy to murder Tammy Daybell, plus two life terms in Arizona for murder conspiracies, imposed in 2025.
Approach the Bench · How you can take part
Learn more
Read the Idaho Supreme Court's ruling when it comes
The court heard her appeal on Nov. 2, 2026, and took it under advisement. It hasn't ruled yet. The court posts its opinions on its website.
Learn more
Read the briefs yourself
Both sides' arguments are posted on the Idaho Supreme Court's public case page.
Disagree with a ruling? Only the people in a case can appeal it. You can still be heard by contacting your officials, voting in judicial elections where judges are elected and telling us what we're missing.
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Watch the court record with us.
Subscribe on YouTube (opens in a new tab)In court and in the news
Clips from the outlets that covered the case, each credited.
Lori Vallow Daybell appeals, alleging legal errors at trial
KTVB