A former juror in the Lori Vallow Daybell murder
trial delves into the case of Chad Daybell, exploring
the disturbing beliefs and events that led to his
conviction. Tom Evans, who served as Juror #18 in
Vallow's trial and later attended every day of Daybell's
proceedings, provides firsthand insights into the
courtroom, key players, and the overwhelming
evidence that led to six death sentences for Daybell.
The book is divided into two parts: Part I examines
Daybell's life, his deep involvement in extremist
Mormon beliefs, and the influences that shaped his
worldview-including the apocalyptic ideologies
that he and Vallow used to justify their horrific
crimes. Part II offers a detailed account of the trial,
including exclusive interviews with prosecutors,
law enforcement, and individuals close to the case.
With rigorous research and personal experience,
the author paints a chilling portrait of how Daybell
and Vallow orchestrated the murders of her two
children and Daybell's wife, Tammy, in pursuit of
their twisted religious visions. This book not only
sheds light on one of the most shocking true crime
cases in recent history but also serves as a cautionary
tale about the dangers of unchecked extremism.
Autorentext
This is Tom Evans's second book about the murders of Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow, and Tammy Daybell. He never thought he would write the first book, much less a second. He is currently working on a third and, he says, last book about the murder of Lori's husband, Charles Vallow in Arizona. Tom's life took a 180 degree turn when he found himself on the jury for the Lori Vallow Daybell trial. By the time the trial was over, he decided to drop everything he had planned in his life and dedicate himself to getting answers to questions he couldn't get out of his head. Prior to his jury service, Tom was a contractor designing and building custom homes. In his early years he spent one year attending Santa Rosa Junior College, one year at Humboldt State, and two years at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Even though he was at the top of his class in architectural engineering, he became frustrated with the things they were teaching and the time he was spending. He did, however, meet his soon-to-be wife, Susan, in college and he says that made it all worthwhile. Tom took what he learned at Cal Poly and in 1987 started a business designing and building custom homes, which he did for about thirty years. During that time Tom and Susan raised their two children. Susan was a teacher in the small town where they lived. Tom was on the school board and coached baseball and basketball. The couple was always busy helping the children of the community in whatever way they were needed. Because of Tom's experience working with children, spending the last twenty years in Idaho and his interest in Mormon and Native American culture, he came to believe that writing about this case was meant to be for him. He has read everything he can get his eyes on about Western American history and Mormon history. Both are subjects that come into play in this case[