In a recent twist to the high-profile case of Lori Vallow Daybell, the woman often referred to as the 'Doomsday Mom', a new motion has been filed seeking to disqualify the sitting judge from her upcoming Arizona trial, Fox 10 Phoenix reports. The court documents allege a "personal bias or prejudice" by Judge Justin Beresky, with Daybell claiming she cannot get a fair trial under his oversight. She has previously accused the judge of dismissing every one of her motions for a year and a half; however, in a courtroom exchange caught on video, Judge Beresky notes that he had recently granted a motion for her to meet with her attorneys during lunch, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.
This motion to remove Judge Beresky arose just days after Daybell's request for a new trial was denied, a claim that focused on alleged juror misconduct and prosecutorial impropriety, as reported by Courthouse News. The so-called 'Doomsday Mom' faces a third trial in June concerning accusations of the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux; in her dialogues with the court she has struggled with legal protocol such as subpoenaing witnesses and disclosing evidence, culminating in contentious courtroom interactions where Judge Beresky reminded her, "Yes, that is how the rule of law works."
Daybell's legal maneuvers come off the back of her April conviction for conspiracy in the murder of Charles Vallow, her former husband, following earlier convictions in Idaho for the murders of her children. The judge recently denied her attempt to claim a violation of her right to a speedy trial, with prosecutors outlining unavoidable scheduling conflicts. The upcoming trial's jury selection is slated to begin on May 30, but questions remain about Daybell's readiness, considering no witnesses were called in her previous trial in April, hinting at continued complexities in her self-representation, as per Courthouse News.
In response to Daybell's flurry of complaints, state prosecutors have defended the court's conduct, offering explanations that pulled apart the accused's claims of misconduct and bias. In addressing the recent allegation of juror bias, they specifically refuted the idea that a juror had improperly informed himself about Daybell's past before delivering a verdict, citing multiple interviews where the juror stated he did not look up any information until after a verdict was reached. As events unfold and the date for the third trial approaches, all eyes are on the Maricopa County courtroom to see whether Judge Beresky will remain on the case, Fox 10 Phoenix reports.
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