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Lori Vallow Daybell's trial began on April 7, 2025, with prosecutor Treena Kay alleging that Lori conspired with her brother, Alex Cox, to murder her husband, Charles Vallow, in July 2019, staging the crime as self-defense to marry Chad Daybell and claim life insurance money. Darkmatter: Day One in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025 Prosecution Opening Statements.
Representing herself, Lori denied the charges, highlighting her family life, strained relationships, and asserting that the events on July 11, 2019, stemmed from Charles' threatening behavior and a physical altercation, which she claimed was a matter of self-defense to protect her children. Darkmatter: Day One in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025 Defense Opening Statements.
Sgt. Irwin Wierzbicki testified about responding to the scene of Charles Vallow's death, describing Alex Cox's calm demeanor and finding Charles motionless with gunshot wounds, while addressing Lori's questioning and clarifying his actions to preserve the crime scene during Treena Kay's re-direct. Darkmatter: Day One in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025: States First Witness Sgt. Irwin Wierzbicki
Scott Cowden, a Chandler firefighter and former CPR instructor, was next to testify. He described the certification process for firefighters and explained CPR’s vital function—acting as the heart to circulate blood in cases where the heart stops beating. Cowden emphasized the physical intensity required during CPR, which can leave impressions on the skin and possibly break bones, likening the sensation to cracking knuckles but more severe. He also highlighted the importance of preparing people for these outcomes during CPR training.
Treena questioned Cowden about performing CPR on individuals who had been shot, and Cowden stated he was fairly certain he had done so. He confirmed that blood could emerge from the mouth during CPR after a shooting. Cowden recalled responding to Charles’ shooting, noting that in Chandler, fire engines typically carry at least four personnel, including a captain, Cowden as the driver (fire engineer), and two firefighters seated in the back. On the morning of the incident, Cowden and his crew were just 30 seconds away when updates indicated CPR was being administered to the patient, Charles. However, upon entering the house, Cowden found no one performing CPR. The room was empty and lacked furniture, making it easier to work on Charles. There was minimal blood—only on Charles’ chest—and no spread across the scene. Cowden noted there were no signs of life from Charles, such as breathing or moaning, suggesting he was likely deceased.
Cowden testified that Charles was unresponsive, pulseless, and not breathing, with no signs of life. He performed CPR for at least a minute. Treena showed a photo of firefighters working on Charles, which Cowden described, noting he initially saw no depression on Charles’ chest from prior CPR. Upon starting compressions, Cowden felt the typical crack and crunch associated with initiating CPR. While another firefighter cut Charles’ shirt to expose the chest, Cowden instructed her not to cut through the bullet hole; she cut around it instead. Cowden continued compressions and noted Charles exhibited no heart activity. He saw two gunshot wounds on Charles’ body and, upon rolling him, additional wounds on his backside. Cowden wore gloves while performing CPR and observed blood on his gloves after the procedure.
Cowden further testified about changes in Charles’ skin color due to the lack of blood circulation and injuries to his chest and abdomen, which caused internal damage and led to the formation of lividity. He stated that the condition of Charles’ chest and the sensation felt during initial compressions made him believe CPR was not performed prior to his arrival. This incident was Cowden’s first call of his shift, which began at 8 a.m. Cowden and his crew made contact with Charles at 8:45 a.m., actively worked on him for close to five minutes, and discontinued efforts after declaring his death at 8:48 a.m. Cowden recalled seeing a person in the driveway with a police officer upon arrival, whom he assumed to be the brother-in-law involved in the shooting. Cowden did not notice any injuries on this individual and confirmed there was nothing about Alex that suggested he was injured. Cowden believes Charles was dead before he entered the house and finds it highly unlikely anyone performed CPR on Charles prior to their arrival. Treena concluded her questioning.
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