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IDAHO FALLS — A new attorney has been appointed as co-counsel for Lori Daybell.
On Friday, District Judge Steven Boyce appointed Jim Archibald to the case. Archibald is a seasoned public defender and happens to be one of the few death-penalty certified attorneys in eastern Idaho. He has represented several high-profile clients in death penalty cases – the most recent being Brian Dripps.
On Thursday, Fremont County prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty for Chad Daybell, Lori Daybell's husband. Similar intentions were not announced for Lori Daybell.
In May, a psychologist found Lori Daybell incompetent to proceed to trial and recommended she undergo psychiatric treatment.
Since then her case has been stayed or paused until her mental condition improves. She was committed to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for treatment.
At present, Mark Means is still listed as her lead attorney.
Lori and Chad Daybell are charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder among other crimes. The charges are in relation to the killings of 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan — two of Lori Daybell's kids — and Chad Daybell's first wife, Tammy Daybell.
Lori Daybell is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in Arizona in relation to the death of her former husband Charles Vallow.
Chad Daybell is scheduled for a pretrial conference on Sept. 30 ahead of the already scheduled November jury trial. It's not clear when Lori Daybell will be back in court.
