(NewsNation) — The “doomsday mom” convicted of killing her two children and then allegedly conspiring to kill a romantic rival is poised to defend herself in a new trial on Monday.
Lori Vallow Daybell is charged with conspiring to kill her ex-husband, Charles Vallow.
Vallow Daybell, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2023, has chosen to defend herself, acting as her own lawyer. When opening statements begin, she will deliver her opening statement to the jury.
The 16-person jury was sworn in last week, consisting of 13 men and three women.
In her previous trial, people in her orbit testified that Vallow Daybell liked male attention, so the theory is that the men on the jury may look at her more favorably because she was in control of dismissing jurors and allowing them on the panel.
Before the trial, Vallow Daybell did her first sit-down on-camera interview with NBC News, saying “I’m not an attorney. I don’t have training to be an attorney. There’s something that I figured out when I got to this jail, you know, this experience has been five years running.”
The “five years” is likely in reference to her last trial in which she was represented by attorneys but was found guilty.
During jury selection last week, Vallow Daybell stood up and told potential jurors that it was their job to protect her from the state, saying it’s her against the prosecutors, law enforcement and the judge.
She also said the jury is her line of defense.
The judge clarified to the jury that their only job is to determine whether or not the state has proved its case.
She was married to Charles Vallow when he was shot to death in Arizona. Her brother, Alex Cox, is believed to be the killer, but he died before he could stand trial.
The prosecution asserts that Vallow Daybell directed her brother to kill Charles because she was having an affair with Chad Daybell, who she would go on to marry.
She and Daybell had concocted a “doomsday” theory that they were going to lead 144,000 people to salvation during the apocalypse. Then, her children, 7-year-old JJ and 16-year-old Tylee; her fourth husband Charles Vallow; and her fifth husband’s ex-wife Tammy all turned up dead.
Vallow Daybell has been convicted in an Idaho court in the deaths of JJ, Tylee and Tammy, and now, a jury in Arizona will decide whether she’s guilty of conspiring to murder Charles Vallow.