Lori Vallow Trial: Today Was The First Day Of Jury Selection.

The highly anticipated Lori Valo murder trial kicked off today at the ADA County Courthouse. The trial will determine the fate of Valo, who is charged with the murder of her two children, JJ Valo and Ty Lee Ryan, as well as her husband's late wife, Tammy Daybell. Our news partner, East Idaho News, captured footage of Valo leaving the courthouse at the end of the day.

Inside the courtroom, the process of selecting a fair and impartial jury began. Attorneys spent hours questioning potential jurors, trying to find the right fit for this complex case. The goal was to ensure that the chosen jury members could commit to an eight-week trial and remain objective throughout the proceedings.

The Search for a Fair and Impartial Jury

During the initial questioning, the defense and prosecution aimed to find a diverse group of jurors who could approach the case with an open mind. Jurors were summoned in three panels, with each panel answering the same set of questions. However, many individuals were excused due to work, personal, or medical obligations.

To protect the privacy and well-being of the jurors, the proceedings were closed to the public and media. Observers had to watch the trial from an overflow room, where a projector screen displayed the judge, prosecutors, Valo, and her attorneys. The trial was not without its interruptions, as streaming was stopped at times when attorneys delved into jurors' knowledge from the media or personal information.

A Massive Pool of Potential Jurors

To assemble a pool of potential jurors, approximately 1800 people were called for jury duty. From this large pool, the number was gradually whittled down through questionnaires and subsequent selection. As of Monday, the prosecution had already identified 17 potential jurors out of the required 42. Moving forward, attorneys will narrow down the selection to 18 final jurors, including six alternates.

The inclusion of six alternates may seem excessive, but given the high-profile nature of the case, it is crucial to have backups in case any jurors are exposed to biased media coverage or external influences. Sequestering the jury would be a last resort for the judge, as they understand the significant sacrifice jurors make when dedicating such a long period of their lives to the trial.

Pretrial Publicity and Its Impact

One of the primary concerns during the jury selection process was the potential impact of pretrial media coverage on jurors' objectivity. Attorneys probed potential jurors about their knowledge of Lori Valo and their ability to set aside any preconceived notions. Surprisingly, there were a handful of individuals who claimed to have no prior knowledge of the case.

However, former Ada County chief deputy prosecutor Jean Fisher expressed doubt about the feasibility of finding a perfectly fair and impartial jury due to the extensive media coverage surrounding the case. With its many intricate elements, such as the age of the children, the disturbing manner in which they were found, and the inclusion of mental health and religious fanaticism complexities, the Valo trial poses a unique challenge.

Emotional Evidence and the Road Ahead

In a case involving the murder of two children, the emotional toll on jurors is expected to be significant. Attorneys challenged potential jurors by asking if they could handle viewing distressing evidence, such as autopsy photos, and still maintain their impartiality. Ada County, chosen for the trial, offers a larger jury pool precisely because of the need for diverse perspectives and experiences.

Selecting a jury requires a mix of sophistication, intuition, and gut instinct. The attorneys must stay organized, identify themes, and watch for not only verbal responses from potential jurors but also their body language and overall engagement. This case will undoubtedly test the resilience and empathy of the chosen jurors, considering the difficult circumstances of two murdered children and their mother on trial.

As the trial progresses, jurors will uncover the details surrounding the children's whereabouts, the events leading to their deaths, and the manner in which their bodies were discovered. The mental health component of the case adds yet another layer of complexity, further challenging the jurors' ability to comprehend the circumstances fully.

The proceedings will continue in the coming days, and the search for a fair and impartial jury will remain a top priority. As the trial unfolds, the world will be watching, eager to see justice served and answers revealed in this tragic and perplexing case.