Topline: Accused of orchestrating a failed shooting, ‘Mommy Doomsday’ claims judicial bias—but courts push forward.
Published: May 30, 2025 7:00 am ET
Must Read
Lori Vallow Daybell, left, (via Dennis Fujimoto/AP), and Brandon Boudreaux (via IMDb)
PHOENIX, AZ — Jury selection began Thursday afternoon in the latest criminal trial for Lori Vallow Daybell, the so-called “Doomsday Mom” who has already been convicted in four murders, including those of her two youngest children.
This new trial, taking place in Maricopa County Superior Court, centers on a 2019 attempted murder case in Gilbert, Arizona, USA Today reported. Vallow Daybell is accused of conspiring to kill her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux, in a shooting investigators say was carried out by her late brother, Alex Cox.
According to authorities, Cox fired at Boudreaux outside his home in October 2019, shattering a car window while Boudreaux was driving. He was not injured.
According to KPNX, jury selection for this third trial began Thursday with attorneys reviewing juror questionnaires. Prospective jurors are expected in court Friday, when the final panel is likely to be seated. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin Monday, according to the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
This marks the third criminal trial in recent years for Vallow Daybell, whose apocalyptic beliefs and criminal history have drawn national attention.
Last month, an Arizona jury found her guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in the 2019 death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. Prosecutors argued that Vallow Daybell and Cox orchestrated Charles Vallow’s killing in a plot to collect life insurance and begin a new life. She represented herself in that trial, as she plans to do again in this one. Her request for a new trial was denied after a judge ruled against her claim that the jury was prejudiced by knowledge of her prior convictions.
In 2023, Vallow Daybell was convicted in Idaho of murdering her children — Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, 7 — as well as conspiring in the murder of Tammy Daybell, the first wife of her current husband, Chad Daybell. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Chad Daybell, in a separate trial, was also convicted and sentenced to death in Idaho.
Prosecutors in both states have argued that Vallow Daybell, Cox, and Chad Daybell were driven by extremist religious beliefs involving doomsday prophecies. These beliefs, they say, fueled a series of murders in Arizona and Idaho over the course of 2019.
Leading up to this latest trial, Vallow Daybell attempted to have the presiding judge, Justin Beresky, removed from the case, KPNX reported.
In a pre-trial hearing on May 14, she asked Judge Beresky to recuse himself, citing what she claimed was bias based on his repeated denial of her motions.
Last week, she filed a formal motion for a new judge, which was heard in a separate courtroom Thursday morning. A different judge denied the motion, stating that disagreeing with a judge’s rulings does not prove bias. The prosecutor argued that Judge Beresky’s decisions were legally sound.
Despite her multiple efforts to suppress evidence, limit witness testimony, and challenge the court, the trial is moving forward as scheduled.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Jury Selection Begins in Alleged Attempted Murder Plot Against Lori Vallow Daybell’s Niece’s Ex
Accused of orchestrating a failed shooting, ‘Mommy Doomsday’ claims judicial bias—but courts push forward.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 30, 2025 7:00 am ET
Lori Vallow Daybell, left, (via Dennis Fujimoto/AP), and Brandon Boudreaux (via IMDb)
PHOENIX, AZ — Jury selection began Thursday afternoon in the latest criminal trial for Lori Vallow Daybell, the so-called “Doomsday Mom” who has already been convicted in four murders, including those of her two youngest children.
This new trial, taking place in Maricopa County Superior Court, centers on a 2019 attempted murder case in Gilbert, Arizona, USA Today reported. Vallow Daybell is accused of conspiring to kill her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux, in a shooting investigators say was carried out by her late brother, Alex Cox.
According to authorities, Cox fired at Boudreaux outside his home in October 2019, shattering a car window while Boudreaux was driving. He was not injured.
According to KPNX, jury selection for this third trial began Thursday with attorneys reviewing juror questionnaires. Prospective jurors are expected in court Friday, when the final panel is likely to be seated. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin Monday, according to the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
This marks the third criminal trial in recent years for Vallow Daybell, whose apocalyptic beliefs and criminal history have drawn national attention.
Last month, an Arizona jury found her guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in the 2019 death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. Prosecutors argued that Vallow Daybell and Cox orchestrated Charles Vallow’s killing in a plot to collect life insurance and begin a new life. She represented herself in that trial, as she plans to do again in this one. Her request for a new trial was denied after a judge ruled against her claim that the jury was prejudiced by knowledge of her prior convictions.
In 2023, Vallow Daybell was convicted in Idaho of murdering her children — Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, 7 — as well as conspiring in the murder of Tammy Daybell, the first wife of her current husband, Chad Daybell. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Chad Daybell, in a separate trial, was also convicted and sentenced to death in Idaho.
Prosecutors in both states have argued that Vallow Daybell, Cox, and Chad Daybell were driven by extremist religious beliefs involving doomsday prophecies. These beliefs, they say, fueled a series of murders in Arizona and Idaho over the course of 2019.
Leading up to this latest trial, Vallow Daybell attempted to have the presiding judge, Justin Beresky, removed from the case, KPNX reported.
In a pre-trial hearing on May 14, she asked Judge Beresky to recuse himself, citing what she claimed was bias based on his repeated denial of her motions.
Last week, she filed a formal motion for a new judge, which was heard in a separate courtroom Thursday morning. A different judge denied the motion, stating that disagreeing with a judge’s rulings does not prove bias. The prosecutor argued that Judge Beresky’s decisions were legally sound.
Despite her multiple efforts to suppress evidence, limit witness testimony, and challenge the court, the trial is moving forward as scheduled.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Jury Selection Begins in Alleged Attempted Murder Plot Against Lori Vallow Daybell’s Niece’s Ex
Accused of orchestrating a failed shooting, ‘Mommy Doomsday’ claims judicial bias—but courts push forward.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 30, 2025 7:00 am ET
Lori Vallow Daybell, left, (via Dennis Fujimoto/AP), and Brandon Boudreaux (via IMDb)
PHOENIX, AZ — Jury selection began Thursday afternoon in the latest criminal trial for Lori Vallow Daybell, the so-called “Doomsday Mom” who has already been convicted in four murders, including those of her two youngest children.
This new trial, taking place in Maricopa County Superior Court, centers on a 2019 attempted murder case in Gilbert, Arizona, USA Today reported. Vallow Daybell is accused of conspiring to kill her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux, in a shooting investigators say was carried out by her late brother, Alex Cox.
According to authorities, Cox fired at Boudreaux outside his home in October 2019, shattering a car window while Boudreaux was driving. He was not injured.
According to KPNX, jury selection for this third trial began Thursday with attorneys reviewing juror questionnaires. Prospective jurors are expected in court Friday, when the final panel is likely to be seated. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin Monday, according to the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
This marks the third criminal trial in recent years for Vallow Daybell, whose apocalyptic beliefs and criminal history have drawn national attention.
Last month, an Arizona jury found her guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in the 2019 death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. Prosecutors argued that Vallow Daybell and Cox orchestrated Charles Vallow’s killing in a plot to collect life insurance and begin a new life. She represented herself in that trial, as she plans to do again in this one. Her request for a new trial was denied after a judge ruled against her claim that the jury was prejudiced by knowledge of her prior convictions.
In 2023, Vallow Daybell was convicted in Idaho of murdering her children — Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, 7 — as well as conspiring in the murder of Tammy Daybell, the first wife of her current husband, Chad Daybell. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Chad Daybell, in a separate trial, was also convicted and sentenced to death in Idaho.
Prosecutors in both states have argued that Vallow Daybell, Cox, and Chad Daybell were driven by extremist religious beliefs involving doomsday prophecies. These beliefs, they say, fueled a series of murders in Arizona and Idaho over the course of 2019.
Leading up to this latest trial, Vallow Daybell attempted to have the presiding judge, Justin Beresky, removed from the case, KPNX reported.
In a pre-trial hearing on May 14, she asked Judge Beresky to recuse himself, citing what she claimed was bias based on his repeated denial of her motions.
Last week, she filed a formal motion for a new judge, which was heard in a separate courtroom Thursday morning. A different judge denied the motion, stating that disagreeing with a judge’s rulings does not prove bias. The prosecutor argued that Judge Beresky’s decisions were legally sound.
Despite her multiple efforts to suppress evidence, limit witness testimony, and challenge the court, the trial is moving forward as scheduled.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
