Boise, Idaho – The courtroom’s attention shifted to an alleged scheme involving the diversion of funds intended for Colby Ryan’s two deceased children on the fifth day of the Chad Daybell murder trial. Daybell faces charges for the murders of Joshua “JJ” Vallow, Tylee Ryan, as well as his wife, Tammy Daybell. The counts include conspiracy to commit murder, grand theft by deception for the two children, and insurance fraud related to Tammy Daybell’s life insurance policies.
A Rexburg Police Detective and an FBI forensic accountant presented evidence on Wednesday, outlining bank transactions showing how Vallow Daybell exploited Social Security benefits meant for JJ and Tylee after their deaths. The prosecution raised doubts about Daybell’s involvement in the conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft by deception, offenses for which Vallow Daybell was previously convicted.
The first witness, Detective Sergeant Chuck Kunsaitis, detailed the financial trail involving Vallow Daybell, Tylee, Alex Cox, and Daybell. The investigation revealed disturbing patterns of financial exploitation following the children’s demise. Kunsaitis highlighted the transfer of Social Security benefits from Tylee’s account to Vallow Daybell’s, raising suspicions about the timeline of events leading to the children’s deaths.
FBI Forensic Accountant Michael Douglass provided further insights into the misappropriation of funds, citing text messages, financial transactions, and insurance policy changes made by Vallow Daybell. The prosecution emphasized the significant amount of Social Security benefits collected by Vallow Daybell post the children’s deaths, amounting to $22,545.05.
Defense attorney John Prior attempted to distance Daybell from the financial discrepancies, questioning the evidence presented by the prosecution. Prior underscored the need to differentiate between Vallow Daybell’s actions and Daybell’s involvement in the financial misdeeds.
The trial is set to continue with further examination of the financial transactions and timelines presented during the proceedings. The intricate web of financial deception surrounding the case continues to unfold as the prosecution seeks to establish Daybell’s complicity in the alleged crimes.