Lori Vallow, often referred to as the “Doomsday Mom”, is set to appear in an Arizona courtroom where she will defend herself in her latest murder conspiracy trial. Vallow is facing charges connected to the 2019 death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in Maricopa County.
Vallow has decided to represent herself, a move that has drawn attention across the country.
“I’m fighting for my life here,” she said during an interview with True Crime Arizona.
The Case Against Vallow
In 2019, Vallow’s brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed Charles Vallow while Lori was at his house in Phoenix to pick up their son. According to police reports, Vallow’s daughter Tylee Ryan, then 16, tried to defend her mother with a baseball bat. Charles reportedly grabbed the bat from her and allegedly tried to hit Alex, who then shot him. Alex claimed self-defense and was never charged. He later died of natural causes.
Prosecutors now say Lori agreed with her brother to commit murder, based on a 2021 indictment that accuses her of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
Vallow Insists She’s Prepared
Although Lori Vallow has no legal training, she believes she is ready for the courtroom battle.
“I’m not an attorney… but I’ve been working on my case for five years,” she told the media. “I know this case better than an attorney could learn it in two years.”
Vallow added that she spends 23 hours a day in her cell, without access to news or media, so she doesn’t know what people are saying about her.
A High-Profile Case Draws Mixed Reactions
Legal experts warn that defendants representing themselves can create unpredictable situations in court. Chicago-based lawyer Andrew Stoltmann, who is not connected to the case, said:
“This gives her control over the case. She may try to turn this trial into a show.”
Vallow, however, denied using the trial as a “game” or “challenge.” She described her situation as a “family tragedy”, not a crime.
Previous Conviction in Idaho
Lori Vallow is already serving a life sentence after being found guilty in Idaho for the 2019 murders of her two children — 7-year-old Joshua “J.J.” Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan. She was also convicted of conspiring with her fifth husband, Chad Daybell, to kill his first wife, Tammy Daybell.
Chad Daybell was also convicted in these murders and received the death penalty.
