JJ's We will, We Will Rock you.
Well, that was the scene outside of the
courthouse as the crowd chanted JJ's favorite
song just moments after Lori Valo de Bell
was found guilty on charges of murder,
conspiracy to commit murder and Grand Theft
in the deaths of her two kids, JJ and Ty Lee,
and her husband's late wife, Ta.
Good evening. I'm Sheera Matsuz.
Thank you for joining us here on the news.
At 10. Dozens of people waited
inside and outside of the ADA Cy
Courthouse for that verdict tod,
myself included.
And our Morgan Romero walks
us through what unfolded.
Lori Valo de Bell is convicted of murder.
A twelve person jury unanimously
decided she was guilty a little
before 1:00 PM Friday afternoon
after about 7 hours of delibera.
This comes after nearly six weeks of trial,
with jurors hearing from about 0
witnesses and seeing gruesome at
times complex and uncomfortable evidence.
The judge told people inside the
courtroom Friday not to react
loudly when that verdict was re,
but outside the courthouse,
it was a different story.
Defendant would please rise.
We the jury duly impaneled and sworn to try
the above entitled action for our verdict.
Unanimous unanimously answer the
questions submitted to us as follows.
Question number one in regards to count
one of the amended indictment is Laurie
Marine Ballow not guilty or gui.
Conspiracy to commit first degree murder of
Kylie Ryan and Grand Theft by deception?
Answer GUILTY Not guilty or guilty of first
degree murder of Kylie Ryan Answer GUILTY.
Is Lori Marine Vallow not guiltr
guilty of conspiracy to commit t
degree murder of Joshua Jackson Vallow and
Grand Theft by deception? Answer GUILTY.
Is Lori Noreen Valo not guilty or guilty
of first three Murder of Joshua Jackson?
Valo answered guilty.
Is Lori Noreen Valo not guilty r
guilty of conspiracy to commit
first three murder of Tamra?
Tammy de Bell answered guilty.
Is Lori Noreen Valo not guilty
or guilty of Grand Theft?
Answered guilty.
Life sentence Lori.
The verdict came down quickly.
Jurors started deliberating
around 2:00 PM Thursday after
closing arguments from both sid,
and went for more than four hou.
On Thursday night,
they deliberated for only about 3 hours.
Friday morning, the jury decided what the
facts are based on the evidence presented,
including witness testimony,
and applied it to Idaho law.
They determined the state proved beyond a
reasonable doubt all the crimes happened.
To be found guilty of first
degree murder in Idaho.
The jury did not have to believe Lori
physically killed Tylie, JJ or Tammy.
Just that she told someone or
encouraged someone to kill them.
During closing arguments Thursd,
the prosecution said the evidene
is clear that Lori was involved.
Many onlookers cheered once all
six guilty counts were read.
Some even cried.
Rhonda Shields was one of them.
I think because I'm a mom and I,
you know,
I'm emotional
anyways, but I just think.
There was so much question and o
much circumstantial evidence and
we didn't know for sure whether
she was going to be found guilt.
So I think when she did, on all counts,
it just was overwhelming and I k
it just kind of came out in my .
And then watching the grandpares
and listening to them and their
gratitude and it's it's just ben
it's been long and ugly and it
just is a beautiful thing to see
the justice actually being serv.
Prosecutors won't go on camera because
of Chad de Bell's trial next ye,
but they said in a statement
they're committed to pursuing
justice for the victims.
Madison and Fremont County prosecutors said,
quote, we are very pleased with the jury's
verdict and we want to thank ths
well as the alternates for their service
over the last six weeks during this trial.
They also thanked countless law
enforcement and community members who
worked tirelessly to hold Laurie accountable.
The judge decided to hold Valo's trial here
in Ada County because there were better
chances of getting a fair and impartial jury.
So while Valo has been here,
she will be transported back to
Fremont County where the crimes
occurred within the week.
Her sentencing will also take pe
in Fremont County.
In three months,
she could spend the rest of her life behind
bars reporting in Boise Morgan Romero,
Idaho's News Channel 7.
For the families though who have been
waiting for justice this verdic.
Has been a long time coming.
Moments after the verdict was r,
JJ's grandparents K and Larry
Woodcock came out of the courthe
and talked with the media.
JJ and Ty Lee went missing
in September of 2019,
and it was JJ's grandparents rit
there who sounded the alarm when
they couldn't get a hold of JJ d
they asked for a welfare check.
So today was a big day for them.
They embraced one another.
As that verdict was read and Lay
said he told Kate he loved her
when he heard that guilty verdi.
Now I also talked with Tylie's ,
Annie Cushing and I asked her
if she had a message for Lori,
hear what she had to say as well as the
woodcocks after that verdict came down.
I don't. I I I thought through
like if there's anything I
would want to say to her, I
it would fall on deaf ears.
You know she's. Psychopath.
She has no concern whatsoever
about the pain and suffering
she's caused other people.
My final message to Lori
y'all ready?
Turn out the lights.
The party's over.
They say that all good things must end.
Laurie It ended.
We are elated with this.
There was some doubt we would gt
all of them, all guilties, but we did it.
Our the prosecution is amazing.
The law enforcement is amazing.
They became our family and
we're keeping most of them
for the rest of our life.
Now, I've spoken with Annie sevl
times over the years when the ks
first went missing and then when
their remains were later found.
But she actually stopped talking publicly
a couple of years ago until tod.
Both Kerry Kay and Larry,
as well as Annie say while theye
happy about today's verdict,
it's bittersweet because it
doesn't bring back JJ or Tylie.
And Lori Vallow's family also released
a statement after today's verdi.
They said in part,
we fully accept the determined
decision in our justice system d
we understand this is just one p
towards justice for the beloved victims.
In this case,
despite today's verdict,
we are left with our grief and
sorrow over the loss of Ty Lee
and JJ who are irreplaceable.
Our family will always feel this
loss and will never be the same.
We will continue to honor their
memories to the best of our abi.
And many of you were watching
Dateline NBC special on the
trial for Lori Valo right here
before us here on the news at 1.
And the two hour special
took us through Lori's life,
the murders and the guilty
verdict handed down today.
And we were watching along with many of
you as that special unveiled material
that was shown to jurors in cout
but maybe haven't been made pubc
or available to the public just.
And one thing is from Hawaii when police
first served Lori Valo court documents.
When the search was on for the
kids who were missing at the ti.
Any questions you have any questions for that
and that was that video from Ha.
You can read much more about
this right now at ktvb.com.
And as always, keep it right
here on News Channel 7 for the
latest on this case for indepth
reports reaction from JJ.
And Ty Lee's family.
And to listen to the full verdi,
just head on over to ktvb.com.