Will Chad Daybell's Defense Team Be Able to Save His Life?

Oct 19, 2023, 05:00 PM

Is there an underlying strategy when a defendant asks for their trial to be televised? The upcoming case of Chad Daybell, set to begin early next year, raises this exact question. As the world gears up to witness the sequel to Lori Vallow Daybell's dramatic trial, Daybell's request for cameras in the courtroom has left many perplexed and intrigued.
 
 Tony Brueski of the podcast "Hidden Killers" recently sat down with psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott to dissect the implications of Daybell's peculiar request. “Chad and his defense, they want cameras in the court. Usually the argument is just the opposite,” Brueski observed.
 
 Shavaun Scott shared her insights, stating, "It's interesting because the man is in many ways a performer and obviously loves attention and the cameras being on him may elevate his mood. Is there a thought that he can still convince the world that he's right?" She further elaborated on Lori's demeanor during her trial, noting the noticeable loss of touch with reality after her jailing, which might not have favored her if the trial had been televised.
 
 Daybell's contrasting stoic demeanor, evidenced in recent online hearings, presents a stark difference from Lori's behavior, leading to speculation about his mental state. Scott speculated, “My guess is Chad has not deteriorated in jail… he presents like a normal person, and he probably can give a cogent testimony. I mean, it'll be delusional, but he'll be cogent."
 
 The impending trial poses a significant challenge for Daybell's attorneys. Faced with an abundance of evidence, they have a daunting task ahead. When asked about their likely strategy, Scott opined, "I think it's the latter [avoiding the death penalty]. I can't imagine being the attorney in these cases trying to defend either Lori or Chad... And so if they can beat the death penalty in some way, that's probably the best they're thinking they can do."
 
 As Brueski and Scott delved deeper into the dynamics between Lori and Chad, the potential for Chad to turn against Lori arose. Brueski mused, "The only other one I do wonder about is Chad capable of flipping on Lori and does that even make a difference at this point? I could only see the one area where maybe there's some leverage is just that the death penalty... but I don't see them pulling much else back or offering much more for more information." Scott simply agreed, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
 
 Daybell's request for a televised trial, alongside his apparent emotional steadiness, suggests a man looking to maintain control of his narrative. Whether his goal is to convey his beliefs to a wider audience, influence public opinion, or leverage his situation for a better outcome remains to be seen. However, his lawyers' potential strategies and the intricacies of the case promise to make this trial as riveting as its predecessor.
 
 In a story already fraught with unexpected twists and turns, one can't help but wonder: Is Chad Daybell's plea for a public trial a genuine desire for transparency, or does it serve a more intricate, underlying purpose?

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