Daybell jury selection process will continue

BOISE — Questions swirled at the Ada County Courthouse on Friday, when the court opted to continue in its jury selection process for triple murder defendant Chad Daybell despite reaching the required number of potential jurors to begin narrowing down the pool to create the trial's jury.

The jury selection process for Daybell reached 52 potential jurors on Thursday, but on Friday, the voir dire process continued. Five more potential jury members were selected by 12:30 p.m. on Friday, bringing the possible juror tally to 57.

Daybell is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree murder, insurance fraud and grand theft in connection to the deaths of 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, 7-year-old J.J. Vallow, and Daybell’s late wife, Tammy Daybell.

Around this same time last year, Daybell's wife, Lori Vallow, faced the same charges Daybell faces now. Vallow was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to life in prison without parole last summer.

Daybell has pleaded not guilty on all charges and could be facing the death penalty if he is found guilty.

Jury selection in the Daybell case began Monday and has seen potential jurors being excused for a number of reasons, including undue hardship, bias, scheduling conflicts, and familial matters.

According to former Idaho Attorney General David Leroy, Judge Steven Boyce could have elected to continue the jury selection process to provide a buffer, indicating a possible concern about getting 18 jury members next week. During the court proceedings on Friday, Boyce did not indicate why the voir dire process continued after the court had 50 potential jury members.

The peremptory challenge — a process by which lawyers can object to a proposed juror without needing to give reason for their objection — will begin after the voir dire process is completed. According to Boyce, peremptory challenges will likely begin on Monday morning, at which point 18 people — 12 jurors and six alternates — will be selected to serve on the jury for this eight-to-10-week-long trial.

Opening statements for the Daybell trial could begin early next week. After opening statements are completed, both the prosecution and the defense will present their evidence and question witnesses in an effort to persuade the jury as it comes to a verdict.