Chad Daybell Trial: Court Dismissed Early as Key Witnesses Testify

May 28, 10:00 AM

In the ongoing trial of Chad Daybell, the courtroom was filled with dramatic testimonies from key witnesses as the defense continued its efforts to exonerate Daybell. The court proceedings were intense, with multiple witnesses called to the stand, including Chad Daybell's children and forensic experts.

The court session began with Fremont County Detective Sgt. Bruce Mattingly testifying about his involvement in Tammy Daybell’s death investigation, as well as the deaths of JJ and Tylee Ryan. Mattingly detailed his attempts to inform Emma Murray, one of Chad Daybell’s daughters, about the autopsy results of her mother. Despite numerous efforts, Emma expressed a desire to wait for the official release of the autopsy results and was reluctant to engage in discussions with law enforcement. "We’re just not interested in interviewing, answering any questions, we just want to see it," Emma stated. 

The defense, led by attorney John Prior, cross-examined Mattingly, suggesting that his approach was more of a police tactic to elicit information rather than simply sharing results. Prior also questioned the timing and manner of informing the Daybell children about their mother's autopsy, emphasizing that the family had not been adequately contacted during the investigative process.  VIDEO: Mattingly's approach was more of a police tactic to elicit information rather than simply sharing results

Later, the court heard from Jason MacKay Abegglen, who worked with Garth Daybell at a haunted house attraction. MacKay recounted a conversation where Garth mentioned finding his mother dead and his father not being home. MacKay's testimony aimed to support the defense’s narrative of Chad Daybell's innocence in Tammy Daybell's death. "He said he found her when he got home from work and he didn’t know where his father was," MacKay testified.     

Dr. Eric Bartelink, a forensic anthropologist, provided insights into the condition of Tylee Ryan’s remains. Bartelink's testimony highlighted the extensive blunt force trauma and sharp force defects found on Tylee's bones, which he suggested could be consistent with perimortem injuries. He also noted the possibility of Tylee's body being burned as a whole, although he could not determine the exact location or time of the burning.   
Throughout the proceedings, the defense continued to build its case by questioning the thoroughness and intentions of the investigation. Prior pointedly asked Mattingly about his interactions with the Daybell children and whether his motive was to gather incriminating reactions rather than provide information.

The session concluded with an unexpected announcement: the state had no further witnesses for the day, and the court would dismiss early, reconvening on Tuesday. The abrupt end to the day's testimony left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the defense's strategy and the impact of the testimonies on the jury.

As the trial progresses, the defense's challenge remains to dismantle the prosecution’s narrative while addressing the rehearsed nature of the testimonies from Chad Daybell's children. The potential Freudian slip by defense attorney John Prior, where he referred to Tammy Daybell's death as a "murder," also added a layer of complexity to the case. Whether this slip will affect the jury's perception remains to be seen.

The trial is set to resume with more testimonies and cross-examinations, as both sides continue to present their arguments in this high-profile case.

#ChadDaybell #TammyDaybell #LoriVallow #JohnPryor #BruceMattingly #GarthDaybell #TyleeRyan

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