An Idaho judge sentenced Chad Daybell to death on Saturday, two days after he was found guilty of first-degree murder and other charges in the 2019 killings of his first wife and two of his current wife’s children. The case, which drew scrutiny due to the couple’s “doomsday” religious beliefs, culminated in a special sentencing proceeding in Ada County District Court in Boise.
After more than a day of deliberation, the jury recommended the death penalty before Judge Steven W. Boyce made the final sentencing decision. As the judge read his decision, Daybell remained expressionless at the defense table. The court’s decision was based on the seriousness of the crimes and Idaho law mandates the appointment of a lawyer for post-conviction review after a death penalty sentence.
Prosecutors argued that the death penalty was justified due to aggravating factors, including the heinous nature of the crimes and Daybell’s continued danger to society. They highlighted Daybell’s extreme religious claims and desire for financial gain as motives for the murders.
Relatives of the victims delivered emotional statements, expressing their immeasurable loss and grief. They painted a picture of lives cut short and potential unrealized due to Daybell’s actions. Daybell’s defense lawyer argued that his client’s religious beliefs were not a sufficient reason for the death penalty and urged the jury to consider the rationale behind the original charges.
The case against Daybell and his wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, stemmed from the deaths of Vallow Daybell’s children and Daybell’s previous spouse. Vallow Daybell was found guilty of murder last year and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The couple’s religious beliefs and their involvement with a group preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ added a chilling layer to the case.
The sentencing of Chad Daybell to death marks the end of a tragic chapter in this case, but the impact of his actions will be felt by the victims’ families for years to come.
