Lori Vallow can represent herself at her Arizona trials, judge rules
PHOENIX - Lori Vallow, the so-called "Doomsday Mom," will be allowed to represent herself during her upcoming trials in Arizona, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled on Dec. 6.
In Arizona, Vallow is accused of conspiring in the fatal shooting of her fourth husband, Charles, and the attempted murder of her niece's ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. The shootings of Charles and Brandon happened within months of each other in 2019, and for Charles' shooting, investigators identified the suspect as Vallow's late brother, Alex Cox.
According to police, the shootings of Charles of Brandon were motivated by money and a bizarre spiritual system.
Vallow was previously found guilty in Idaho for the murders of two of her children, Joshua "JJ" Vallow and Tylee Ryan. She was also found guilty of her role in the death of Tammy Daybell. Tammy was the first wife of Chad Daybell, who is Vallow's current husband. Vallow was sentenced to life in prison in Idaho for the deaths.
Judge's decision came after Vallow was deemed competent for trial
The decision to allow Vallow to represent herself came just one day after doctors agreed during a Rule 11 hearing that Vallow is mentally fit to stand trial. The state did not object to the doctors' findings.
During the proceeding on Friday, a judge asked Vallow a series of question.
"What grade did you finish in school?" Judge Justin Beresky asked Vallow.
"I graduated high school," Vallow replied.
"Are you currently prescribed any medications in the jail," Judge Beresky asked, to which Vallow replied ‘no.’
Judge Beresky also asked Vallow why she wants to represent herself.
"For the past five years that I’ve been incarcerated," Vallow replied. "I have taken upon myself to study case law and criminal rules of procedure in the State of Idaho and Arizona, as well as federally."
Vallow also told Judge Beresky that she had studied family law for 10 years prior to her 2020 arrest.
"I have real trial experience. I have participated in three different full trials from beginning to end," Vallow said in court.
As mentioned before, Vallow was on trial in Idaho, and it is unclear what other two trials she was referring to.
Judge points out dangers of representing oneself in court
During court proceedings on Friday, Judge Beresky warned Vallow of the dangers of not having an attorney, pointing to the experience of the two lawyers who were beside her.
"Each have a minimum [of], if not more, 14 years of higher education as well as probably, I’m guessing between the two of them, 30 to 40 years in trial experience. Do you understand that?" Judge Beresky said, to which Vallow replied ‘yes.’
The two lawyers will still be considered as Vallow's ‘advisory counsel’ unless she changes her mind and wants them to represent her, but there would be no going back.
"A person who represents themselves, they don't get any breaks," said attorney Benjamin Taylor. "The judge holds that person who represents themselves to the same standards as an attorney."
Taylor, who is not associated with the Vallow case, said it is hard enough for lawyers with several years of experience, and that Vallow is now in charge of various tasks, such as taking in discovery, preparing a defense, opening statements, examinations, cross-examination of witnesses, as well as closing arguments.
"Even lawyers themselves have a hard time doing legal research and writing legal briefs to the court, and to have a person without any experience doing this is going to be very difficult," said Taylor.
Her trial date for the Charles Vallow murder conspiracy case has been set for March 31, 2025.
Lori Vallow in a Phoenix courtroom on Dec. 6.