IDAHO, USA — Chad Daybell's triple murder trial will be broadcast live by the court after a judge amended a camera-ban Wednesday.
Judge Stephen Boyce made the ruling Wednesday morning after arguments from the state, Daybell's attorney and an attorney representing local media outlets.
Daybell is accused of killing his first wife, Tammy Daybell. He's also accused of killing Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, the children of his current wife, Lori Vallow.
Vallow was convicted in the deaths of Tylee, JJ and Tammy earlier this year and is serving multiple life sentences in Idaho prison. Investigators believe the series of deaths occurred in the fall of 2019 after Vallow moved her children from Arizona to Idaho.
Chad and Lori were originally going to have a joint trial, but the cases were later severed. Judge Boyce issued an order banning cameras in the courtroom during Vallow's trial, which also applied to Daybell's case.
In Wednesday's hearing, prosecutors argued to keep the order in place, citing concerns over tainted jury pools and issues with witnesses potentially watching live streams.
"We don’t have to put cameras in people’s faces for the trial to be open, transparent and public," argued prosecutor Rob Wood.
Daybell's attorney, John Prior, filed the motion for the judge to reconsider the camera ban. Part of his argument was that Daybell's relatives would not be able to travel to watch the lengthy trial in person. The trial is expected to take 10 weeks.
"Part of the reason behind a public trial is accountability," Prior told the judge.
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An attorney representing media outlets in Idaho also filed a brief in support of allowing a live broadcast of the proceedings.
After hearing arguments from all three sides, the judge decided to permit a live broadcast of Daybell's trial with some conditions.
The judge said the court will be in charge of the equipment, not any media outlet, and will be responsible for broadcasting the video and audio feeds on the court's website. He also stated that he wouldn't allow still photography or microphones in the courtroom from any media outlet or third party.
Daybell's trial is scheduled for April 2024, although his attorney has several pending motions that could possibly change the circumstances of the trial.
Vallow is appealing her conviction in Idaho. She is also facing two conspiracy to commit murder charges in Arizona, but the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said she wouldn't be extradited until after the appeals process plays out in Idaho.
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