Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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ST. ANTHONY, Idaho — Larry and Kay Woodcock, the grandparents of JJ Vallow, are pleased with the outcome of a Thursday court hearing.
JJ's mother, Lori Vallow Daybell, and her husband Chad Daybell are accused of killing the 7-year-old boy and his sister, 16-year-old sister Tylee Ryan in 2019. Both are charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of the children and Chad Daybell's previous wife, Tammy Daybell.
(Click here for more on the relationships of those involved in the case.)
"I feel like the world is praying that this trial goes forward and that we have a good, honest, straight-up trial focused on the evidence," Larry Woodcock told EastIdahoNews.com Thursday afternoon. "I believe this case is going to be proven beyond the shadow of a doubt. They can make all the excuses but in the end, they are guilty of murdering two children."
Attorneys for the couple argued several motions Thursday morning. District Judge Steven Boyce denied a request from John Prior, Chad Daybell's attorney, to postpone the trial until April 2024. Boyce also denied a motion from prosecutors to sequester the jury when the trial begins this spring and he denied a request from Lori Daybell's defense team to have the couple meet so they can strategize about the case.
"Thank goodness he did deny that. It just seemed like an off-the-wall kind of request," Kay Woodcock said. "I think Lori wanted to simply see Chad in person and maybe figure out if she's going to turn on him. There has to be more to it than just them wanting to meet and strategize."
The Woodcocks believe Chad Daybell's defense involves turning against Lori Daybell. As far as EastIdahoNews.com could tell, he never looked at his wife during the two-and-a-half-hour court hearing Thursday but Lori Daybell was seen glancing in Chad Daybell's direction several times.
"Lori – you're fixing to be thrown totally under the bus," Larry Woodcock said. "In fact, you're not going to get thrown under a bus – you're going got get thrown under a steamroller. Chad is not your friend, his attorney is not your friend and I truly believe they are going to throw her under the bus the moment the case opens."
Listen to Thursday's court hearing below.
