Idaho Mother Accused of Killing Own Kids for Social Benefits Asks Court To Change Charges Because They Are Confusing

Lori Vallow Daybell, also known as the "Doomsday Cult Mom," and her new husband, Chad Daybell, are accused of killing their two children, 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, and then using their social security benefits. However, attorneys for their mother asked a judge last Tuesday to send the case back to a grand jury because they found the indictment confusing.

According to CBS News, both Lori and Chad have already pleaded not guilty to their various charges, including murder, conspiracy, and grand theft. If convicted, they might receive the death penalty.

However, during a hearing at the Idaho town of St. Anthony, the mother's attorneys claimed that the conspiracy charges against their client were "oddly constructed and likely to confuse a jury."

Couple Wanted To Steal Daughter's Security Benefits From Her Deceased Father

According to the Associated Press, the conspiracy charge in question was that the couple planned to kill 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, Lori Vallow Daybell's own daughter, and steal her social security benefits. The teenager was receiving these benefits because her father had died. The other conspiracy charge is similar, but with Tylee Ryan's younger brother, JJ.

The defense attorneys representing the mother proposed a plan to return the case to the grand jury so these charges can be tweaked. According to defense attorney John Thomas, the conspiracy to commit murder and the conspiracy to commit grand theft are two separate conspiracies, and the jury might find them confusing. This might become "fundamentally unfair" for his client.

The lawyer also admitted that even though he has been practicing law for over 20 years now, this particular charge even baffled him.

Judge Steven Boyce said he will consider the arguments and make his decision later.

Children's Bodies Were Found on Stepfather's Property

In November 2019, members of the Daybells' extended family reported that the two children were missing. An investigation was launched, and police found that the couple lied about their children's whereabouts. This led to a search on Chad Daybell's property in rural Idaho, where the bodies of the two children were found.

Chad Daybell married Lori around two weeks after his former wife, Tammy Daybell, died. Her death was ruled a natural death, but because Chad remarried just two weeks after her death, her body was exhumed and re-examined.

As for Lori Daybell, she was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in Arizona. This is in connection to the death of her ex-husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot by Lori's brother and claimed it was self-defense.

Chad Daybell's children have spoken out about their father's charges. He has five adult children, Emma, Mark, Leah, Seth, and Garth Daybell, and they all believe that he may have killed his step-children. According to CBS News, they believe their father was "lured into a web of murder and deceit."

They also blame Lori for the bad events happening in their father's life and argued none of this would be happening if he did not meet Lori Vallow.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: 'Doomsday Cult' Mom Lori Vallow Daybell Smiles in Court