Lori Vallow, often referred to as the 'Doomsday Mom', was commanded by an Arizona judge to complete a mental competency evaluation. The decision follows a previous hearing last Thursday which Vallow did not attend, and her current defense team's advice to not cooperate with the appointed experts. This tug-of-war over Vallow's mental competence comes in light of serious charges: she faces convictions both in Idaho, for the killing of her children and a previous spouse's wife, and also in Arizona for conspiracy linked to the death of her fourth husband and her niece’s husband.
Despite Vallow's attorney arguing her competency, a history of mental evaluations and treatment looms over the case. Pamela Hicks, Vallow's attorney, stated, "She has the sufficient capacity to understand the nature of the dispute," and mentioned that one doctor had already deemed her competent. Even still, judges at the Maricopa County Superior Court seem unconvinced by the current defense's assurances, particularly given Vallow's past bouts with mental competency, as per FOX 10 Phoenix.
During the court proceedings, Vallow somewhat confusingly spoke to her mental state, telling the presiding judge, "Not to my understanding," when asked if she had been deemed incompetent, before conceding that she was "technically" ruled as such, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. She also mentioned attending a "competency class" and meeting with multiple evaluators during her 10 months in a state hospital in Idaho.
As the legal proceedings twist and turn, a new competency hearing has been set with a different evaluator, noted by AZ Family. Vallow's initial February 2025 trial date was vacated last month, and her next court appearance is scheduled for December 5.
