BOISE, Idaho (Court TV) – Lori Vallow Daybell’s verdict will be live-streamed to the public, according to a new court order.
The decision was made by Judge Steve Boyce who had previously banned visual coverage of the court proceedings in response to a motion filed by Lori’s defense team. The defense argued that the intense media coverage of the case could taint the jury and hinder Lori’s right to a fair trial.
Court TV, along with many other media organizations, have continued to fight for the public’s increasing interest in watching the trial. While live coverage helps ensure transparency in the judicial process, it’s also important to the victims’ friends and family.
“Public access shouldn’t be limited to the number of seats in the courtroom,” said Grace Wong, Court TV’s senior director of courtroom coverage. “We ask ordinary citizens to serve as jurors every day and decide important cases. Giving people the opportunity to see and hear the proceedings promotes greater engagement and understanding of the judicial process — that’s a good thing.”
JJ Vallow’s biological grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, have repeatedly voiced their approval of cameras in the courtroom.
“We definitely want it televised,” Kay Woodcock told Court TV. “We need our family to see it, back in Louisiana and Texas.”
JJ’s grandfather Larry Woodcock doesn’t think it has anything to do with the media or cameras, saying, “this whole hoopla was bought on 100% by the defense attorney’s inability to manage Lori.”
WATCH MORE: Lori Vallow Daybell tries to Ban JJ Vallow’s Grandparents From Trial
Thanks to “multiple requests from various media outlets,” including Court TV, the judge has reconsidered, and Court TV will livestream the court’s reading of the verdict from Judge Boyce’s YouTube page using the Court’s own media devices.
For those wishing to attend in person, some courtroom seating will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Court TV will also be providing live legal coverage from Ada County Courthouse leading up to and after the verdict.
