Judge issues order stopping lawyers from speaking after one attorney gives TV interview

The judge overseeing Chad Daybell’s murder trial in Idaho on Thursday issued a gag order after Daybell’s attorney gave an interview to a media outlet talking about the case.

Judge Steven Boyce ordered that “the attorneys for any interested party in this case, or any attorney who has previously represented any party to this case, including the prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, and any attorney representing a witness, victim, or victim’s family, are prohibited from making extrajudicial statements )written or oral) concerning this case.”

Boyce limited the gag order to between March 28 and April 15 “or until after opening statements have been presented with evidence underway, if that occurs before April 15th, 2024.”

The judge noted that attorneys have previously raised concerns about media coverage of the case and efforts to seat an unbiased jury and said that potential jurors have now completed questionnaires and have been directed “to avoid further media exposure to the case, or investigation into this case.”

The defense attorney’s interview was “publicly broadcast during this stage where unbiased jurors are being sought.”

032824-Order Non Dissemination Order by kc wildmoon on Scribd

Daybell’s attorney, John Prior, spoke with KIVI this week, telling the station, among other things, that “it’s possible” Lori Vallow Daybell will be called to testify during her husband’s trial, as CrimeOnline previously reported.

Vallow Daybell is awaiting trial in Arizona, where she is charged with conspiracy to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and conspiracy to try to kill her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. Her brother, who reportedly died of natural causes months after both shootings, killed Charles Vallow and shot at Boudreaux.

Daybell’s trial for the murders of his wife’s two children, 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, and his first wife, Tammy Daybell, is set to begin Monday. Vallow Daybell was found guilty on the same charges last year and sentenced to three life sentences.

In his order on Thursday, Boyce cautioned attorneys not to discuss evidence, “the character, credibility, reputation, or criminal record” of any party to the case, the merits of the case, or “any information a lwyer knows or reasonably should know is likely to be inadmissible as evidence,” or any other information that would be “reasonably likely” to interfere with a fair trial.