Lori Vallow Daybell, currently serving three life sentences for the murders of her children and conspiring to kill her husband's former wife, has begun a new trial in Arizona. This trial marks another chapter in a case that has captivated and horrified the public, not only due to the nature of the crimes but also because of the bizarre and disturbing belief system that Vallow Daybell has been accused of espousing.

The prosecution contends that Vallow Daybell conspired with her late brother, Alex Cox, to murder her husband, Charles Vallow, in order to collect a significant life insurance policy worth $1 million. The intent, they allege, was to remove her current husband, Charles, from the equation so that she could marry Chad Daybell, another man associated with a series of unsettling events in her life. Vallow Daybell has adamantly pleaded not guilty to these charges.

As the trial unfolds, it is being livestreamed online, a decision made by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Justin Beresky to accommodate widespread media interest. This transparency allows the public to follow proceedings, which will resume daily at 10:30 a.m. local time (1:30 p.m. ET).

The scrutiny surrounding Vallow Daybell's case has deep roots in her past and the underlying motives ascribed to her actions. Prosecutors have claimed that her actions were influenced by her extreme religious beliefs, which allegedly involved ideas about zombies and apocalyptic events. These bizarre justifications are believed to have played a role in the heinous acts she has been accused of committing, including the murders of her own children and her husband's former spouse in Idaho.

On July 11, 2019, the tragic narrative took a dark turn when Alex Cox, Vallow Daybell's brother, called 911 to report that he had shot and killed his brother-in-law, Charles Vallow. Cox insisted that he acted in self-defense after a heated argument, an assertion that led to no charges being filed against him at the time. This incident followed a series of alarming reports from Charles Vallow, who had previously informed the police that his wife was threatening his life and exhibiting increasingly erratic behavior. In a chilling exchange captured on police body-cam footage, Charles relayed a menacing statement from Lori: Youre not Charles. I dont know who you are, what you did with Charles. But I can murder you now, with my powers.

Tragically, Alex Cox passed away in December 2019, with authorities concluding that he died of natural causes. Subsequently, a grand jury indicted Vallow Daybell in June 2021 for conspiracy to commit murder in her husbands death. She is also facing additional charges in Arizona for allegedly conspiring with Cox in an unsuccessful attempt to murder her nieces ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux, who narrowly escaped being shot in the fall of 2019.

As the trial progresses, Vallow Daybell is uniquely representing herself, albeit with the assistance of advisory attorneys. During the opening arguments presented on Monday, she addressed the jury directly, refuting the prosecution's claims of financial motives behind her actions. They are alleging that insurance money was my motive. Social Security was my motive, she asserted. Spouses having insurance policies is not a crime. Collecting Social Security is not a crime. Self-defense is not a crime.

Vallow Daybell emphasized her belief that the tragic circumstances surrounding her family should not be conflated with criminality, stating, A family tragedy is not a crime. She also pointed out that her late husband had taken out life insurance policies on both of them, suggesting that financial gain was not her only motivation.

The prosecution, however, remains firm in its stance that the evidence will illustrate that Charles Vallows murder was premeditated. They argue that Vallow Daybells plan included a deliberate transition from one marriage to another, with financial gain as an underlying motive. The prosecutor, Treena Kay, also highlighted Vallow Daybells troubling comments to friends, where she suggested that Charles was no longer himself and had been overtaken by a spirit named Ned.

In a particularly incriminating text message sent shortly after Charles Vallows death, Vallow Daybell expressed distress to Chad Daybell regarding a change in Charles's life insurance policy that had eliminated her as the primary beneficiary. This message has been characterized by the prosecution as a significant confession, indicating how her religious beliefs and financial ambitions became intertwined, ultimately justifying the murder of her husband.

The first witnesses called by the prosecution included members of the Chandler Fire Department, who recounted their harrowing experience responding to the scene where Charles Vallow was shot. They detailed their attempts to save him, performing CPR but ultimately halting their efforts when they could not detect a pulse or heartbeat. This poignant testimony underscored the gravity of the events that transpired.

This trial is expected to extend until mid-May, according to the court's calendar, as the prosecution and defense continue to present their cases in front of a jury that has been tasked with determining Vallow Daybell's fate.

The current trial follows a conviction in 2023, where an Idaho jury found Vallow Daybell guilty of murdering her two youngest children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua Jaxon JJ Vallow. Additionally, she was convicted of conspiring to murder Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell's then-wife, who was found dead in her home in October 2019. In a chilling twist, mere weeks after Tammys death, Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell married in Hawaii, further complicating the already convoluted narrative. The bodies of her children were discovered months later buried on Chad Daybell's property in Idaho, leading to Vallow Daybell receiving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. Following her sentencing in Idaho, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office initiated the extradition process so that she could face charges for conspiracy in Arizona.