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On the second day of Lori's trial, firefighter Scott Cowden, retired captain Kent Keller, and veteran officer Daniel Coons testified about CPR efforts, crime scene observations, and evidence collection related to Charles Vallow's death, with discussions covering protocols, signs of death, and firearm details. Their testimonies highlighted key findings and investigative processes, as well as questions from both the prosecution and Lori addressing crucial aspects of the incident. Darkmatter: "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025 Day Two Recap.
Day three of Lori's trial began with veteran officer Daniel Coons back on the stand.
Lori rigorously questions Coons about her husband's shooting, focusing on the gunshot wound, stippling, evidence collected, and the trajectory of the bullets. Coons confirms he was not present during the incident and relies on factual evidence in his conclusions. Lori probes the relationship between Charles and Alex, leading to multiple objections on relevance, which the judge sustains. She challenges Coons' memory of his report, prompting him to review it, and they discuss the "shored wound" referenced in his report.
The questioning transitions to Charles' clothing. Lori clarifies that his shirt was cut down the side, not cut off entirely. She asks about measurements for the bullet holes and revisits whether the shirt's fabric could have contributed to the shored wound, but this is objected to as repetitive and sustained by the judge. Lori questions the current location of Charles' shirt, which Coons believes is in evidence. He recalls the shirt being placed in a drying cage and entered into evidence but admits he did not test it and does not know if others tested it.
Lori shifts focus to the wood floor where the projectile was found. She asks Coons if the defect in the floor could have existed prior to the incident; Coons denies this but acknowledges it as a possibility under sustained objection. Lori presents an exhibit showing the defect in the wood floor and compares it to other marks, asking Coons if he can confirm that the defect was caused by the bullet. Treena objects, citing repetitive questioning, and the judge sustains. Lori asks whether the baseboard paint was tested, to which Coons responds that it was not because the bullet's path and embedding were clear. Lori finds this reasoning fair.
Coons explains the trajectory of the bullets—one passed through Charles, exited his body, and embedded in the floor, while the other lodged in the baseboard. Lori asks about the distance between Charles' shoulder and the bullet fragment, which Coons estimates to be a foot or more. She questions his decision not to test the wood floor or the shirt, but these objections are sustained as repetitive. Lori asks if Coons contacted the shirt company about the fabric, which he did not. She speculates whether the upward trajectory of the bullet could have been caused by Charles falling backward, but Coons disagrees.
Lori questions Coons about his presence during her interview at the police department; he clarifies he was at the scene shortly after 9 a.m., not at the department. She asks about Alex’s wound, which Coons observed covered with a paper towel, and whether Alex’s hands were swabbed for gunshot residue. Coons explains this was unnecessary as Alex admitted to being the shooter. Lori asks if her hands or Tylee’s hands were swabbed, which Coons is unaware of. Lori summarizes the known facts of the case, emphasizing uncertainties about who shot Charles, the timing of the shooting, and Charles’ death. Coons responds, and Lori concludes her questioning.
Treena begins her re-direct examination, focusing on Coons' observations and methods during investigations. Coons confirms that he observes crime scene techs and is informed when investigators find something significant. Treena introduces the gun used in the shooting, asking about its ejection mechanism and casing behavior. Coons explains the casing ejection process and notes that casings can bounce, roll, or be moved after landing, meaning their locations do not necessarily indicate where they initially landed. Treena presents a diagram of the house, and Coons explains his use of triangulation measurements to document bullet fragments relative to objects in the room. She asks Coons to describe the rounded wall near where Charles’ body was located. Using a photo of Charles on the ground, Treena indicates the general area in the house where the shooter was likely positioned, which Coons identifies as near the kitchen and hallway.
Treena continues her questioning, asking Coons about the autopsy report. Coons confirms he reviewed the report but notes that the word "stippling" was not included. He explains that during the autopsy, he was in the mandated viewing area. Treena uses a tape measurer to demonstrate the distance between the gun and Charles’ chest, which Coons estimates to be 2-4 feet. She shows the photo of Charles and indicates where the shooter would have been standing. Treena hands the wooden floor piece, encased in a plastic bag, to the jurors for examination. Coons describes the defect in the floor caused by the bullet as distinct from other imperfections, noting a linear mark with a semicircular edge. Treena displays a close-up photo of Charles’ body and the projectile embedded in the floor near his head. She discusses Charles being rolled onto his right side, exposing his left shoulder. Treena asks if the bullet was ever moved, but Coons states he is unaware of its condition until he physically saw it.
Treena asks Coons hypothetical questions about the trajectory of a bullet fired upward, which he explains would hit the ceiling or wall. She then asks how the bullet trajectory into the baseboard aligns with Charles standing upright when shot. Coons explains that the bullet path accounts for the room's dimensions, striking Charles, hitting his spine, and then embedding in the baseboard. He notes that Charles’ wound was slightly downward, and the other bullet in the room accounted for Charles’ second injury. Treena asks about Coons’ process upon arriving at a scene, to which he responds that he assesses the scene, applies the information provided, and lets the evidence guide him. Treena asks if the evidence supports that Charles was standing when shot the first time, and Coons agrees. He also confirms that the shooter was in the kitchen/hallway area for the first shot and that Charles was on the ground when shot the second time. Treena concludes her questioning.
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