Why Did Lori Vallow Daybell’s Defense Request a Bond Reduction? Hearing Part 2

TL;DR

Lori Vallow Daybell’s defense requested a lower bond because the $1 million amount was allegedly unattainable and jail communication restrictions hindered defense preparation. Counsel proposed a bond between $100,000 and $250,000, a protected communication process, and permission to travel to Ada County under restrictions. Read on for the arguments about recorded calls, COVID-19 limitations, travel conditions, and the judge’s evidentiary concerns.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• 🗯️ The defense attorney argues that the detainee's communication rights are being violated, stating that the current system is inadequate for defense preparation.
• 🤨 The defense attorney raises concerns about the unattainable bond amount and suggests a more realistic figure that would still involve the detainee being accountable.
• 🎨 The defense attorney emphasizes the need for a custom-designed communication process to prevent future accidental recordings and issues in the case.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Lori Vallow Daybell’s defense request a bond reduction?

The defense argued that the $1 million bond was effectively equivalent to holding Lori Vallow Daybell without bail because she could not meet it. Counsel also said restricted jail communications made it impractical or impossible to prepare her defense effectively.

Q: What bond amount did Lori Vallow Daybell’s attorney propose?

The attorney proposed a bond in the range of $100,000 to $250,000. He argued that this range was realistic while still giving her enough “skin in the game” to encourage her appearance in court.

Q: Why did the defense say the $1 million bond was unattainable?

Counsel said Lori was not employed before her detention and remained unemployed. He described her husband’s book sales as her sole access to monetary funds and said those sales had generally declined during the economic downturn.

Q: How did COVID-19 restrictions affect Lori Vallow Daybell’s defense preparation?

The attorney said visitation through Wi-Fi in the public visiting room was unsuitable for preparing a defense. He also argued that the detention center’s phone system did not permit the confidential and effective conversations he needed with his client.

Q: What concerns did the defense raise about recorded phone calls?

The attorney represented to the court that at least three or four calls were already known to have been recorded. He said the defense had not yet received responses to its discovery requests and subpoena, leaving uncertainty about the recordings.

Q: How did the defense propose preventing future accidental recordings?

Counsel requested a custom-designed communication process for speaking with Lori. He wanted the process to prevent access by the state or detention center and reduce the chance of another accidental digital recording and related hearing.

Q: What travel permission did Lori Vallow Daybell’s defense request?

The attorney asked that Lori be allowed to travel to Ada County, where his office was located in Meridian. He suggested possible safeguards including a 24-hour travel limit, notice to the prosecutor, and staying within two miles of the interstate between the counties.

Q: What evidence did the judge seek regarding the alleged recordings?

The judge asked for facts beyond the attorney’s “gut reaction,” including how many calls were recorded and when. The judge referenced affidavits from two lieutenants and noted a dispute over what Mr. Wood had allegedly admitted about other recorded calls.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Defense attorney argues that the detainee's access to proper communication and defense preparation is hindered due to limitations in the jail system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The defense attorney suggests that the current bond amount is unattainable and requests a reduction to a more realistic figure of $100,000 to $250,000.

• The defense attorney raises concerns about the potential for future accidental digital recordings and requests a custom-designed communication process to prevent such occurrences.