Idaho jury finds 'doomsday' stepdad Chad Daybell guilty of killing 1st wife, 2nd wife's 2 kids

Steve Almasy, Taylor Romine, Ray Sanchez and Dalia Faheid, CNNJury selection begins in Chad Daybell trial as he faces murder charges in deaths of wife's children Chad Daybell was found guilty Thursday of murder and conspiracy charges in the deaths of his first wife and the two children of his second wife in a case Idaho prosecutors claim was fueled by power, sex, money and apocalyptic spiritual beliefs. Daybell could face the death penalty.

After deliberating about two hours, the jury asked the court for a missing instruction related to the first-degree murder count in the death of Tammy Daybell. They resumed deliberations shortly after receiving the instruction from the court. The state described him as a power-hungry and grandiose man who would stop at nothing for "what he considered his rightful destiny." His defense lawyer portrayed Daybell as a religious man driven into an unfortunate relationship by a "beautiful, vivacious woman" who knew "how to get what she wants."

"His desire for sex, money and power led him to pursue those ambitions," the prosecutor added. "And this pursuit led to the deaths of his wife and Lori's two innocent children." In late November 2019, relatives asked police in Rexburg, Idaho, to do a welfare check on JJ because they hadn't talked to him recently. Police didn't find him at the family's house but did see Vallow Daybell and Daybell, who said JJ was staying with a family friend in Arizona, according to authorities.

"We are filled with unfathomable sadness that these two bright stars were stolen from us, and only hope that they died without pain or suffering," the families of the children said in a statement after the remains were found. Soon, Wood said, they viewed their spouses and even their children as "obstacles" that stood in their way.

The state accused the couple of using their "doomsday" religious beliefs to justify the killings. In particular, Daybell and Vallow Daybell exchanged texts about Tammy Daybell "being in limbo" and "being possessed by a spirit named Viola," according to the indictment.

No DNA or hair belonging to Chad Daybell was found with the children's bodies, and the exact cause of Tammy Daybell's death could not be determined, Prior said.After Vallow Daybell's indictment and not guilty plea in 2021, a judge ruled she was incompetent to stand trial, but she was deemed fit to proceed with trial after spending nearly a year in a mental hospital. Vallow Daybell has maintained her innocence.

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