Jury selection continues for second day in Chad Daybell trial

(NewsNation) — Jury selection is underway in the trial of Chad Daybell, the Idaho man accused of killing his first wife and stepchildren from his second marriage.

Tylee Ryan, 16, and seven-year-old JJ Vallow disappeared in 2019, and their remains were later found on Daybell’s property in Rexburg. Daybell’s wife and the child’s mother, Lori Vallow, were convicted last year of murder in their deaths, as well as conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the case of Tammy Daybell, Chad’s late wife.

She received multiple life sentences in July.

Seating the jury for Chad Daybell’s trial could take up to two weeks since, unlike Lori Vallow, he faces the death penalty.

Another difference between Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow’s trials is that the judge in the former is allowing the court proceedings to be live-streamed — including the second day of jury selection Tuesday.

At least two women were dismissed after saying they strongly believed Chad Daybell was guilty. A bulk of the prospective jurors were dismissed due to hardship, especially as the trial is expected to be at least 10 weeks long. Others said deciding whether Chad Daybell should get the death penalty is a decision they just can’t make.

One woman told the court she wouldn’t be able to withstand graphic evidence from the case and that she’d already been losing sleep just thinking she might serve on the court.

In total, 12 jurors and six alternates need to be selected.

Defense Attorney John Pryor, who is representing Chad Daybell, said he wants to tell his side of the story but it is unclear at this point whether that means his client will take the stand.

Chad Daybell faces three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of conspiracy to commit murder, grand theft and insurance fraud. He’s pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.