'I put a face to evil': Last juror Saul Hernandez explains why he changed mind to convict 'cult mom' Lori Vallow
This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.
IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO: The last juror in Idaho to convict the 'doomsday cult mom,' Lori Vallow, has revealed why he changed his mind at the last minute to find her guilty. Last week, a jury found Vallow guilty of all charges related to killing her children and her husband's former wife.
Specifically, she was found guilty of killing her two children, son Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and daughter Tylee Ryan (aged 16), as well as Tammy Daybell (aged 49), the former wife of her new husband, Chad Daybell. One of the twelve members of the jury, Saul Hernandez, shared his perspective on their deliberations. It's worth noting that there were 18 jurors in total on the panel, including six substitutes.
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'It was harder to look at her'
During his appearance on Good Morning America on Wednesday, Hernandez stated, "I don't believe that as a human being, you can ever truly be prepared to experience something like this." Despite the lengthy trial, which featured 60 prosecution witnesses, he admitted to initially being unsure of Vallow's guilt. He explained that because he was the only one who held a different opinion, discussions eventually extended over two days. "I simply didn't feel that, at that point in time regarding Tylee, we had reached a definitive conclusion," he expressed. "And if we had, I may have overlooked it," he added.
'I believe she initially began with curiosity'
Hernandez stated, "As the case unfolded and more evidence was revealed, and testimonies were shared, it became increasingly difficult to regard her in a positive light," as he spoke to the station. He further explained, "Throughout our upbringing, we are taught to differentiate between good and bad, God and evil, and I believe that for the first time in my life, I encountered a tangible embodiment of evil." Reflecting on Vallow's involvement, Hernandez remarked, "I believe she initially began with curiosity, exploring her initial beliefs. However, once Chad entered the picture, she became complicit in her actions."
'I was utterly disgusted'
The juror expressed his feelings of disgust upon being shown photographs of Vallow and her husband Daybell dancing on a beach in Hawaii at their wedding, which took place shortly after burying the children in the backyard. He revealed, "I was utterly disgusted. I couldn't bring myself to look at those images. It was unfathomable to me how someone could be so joyous while their children lay under the ground, especially when the person who played a pivotal role in all of this was sitting across from them, smiling and dancing on a beach."
'...but I lacked certainty regarding the charge involving Tammy Daybell'
Alternate juror Tiffany, who was not part of the final panel responsible for deliberating and delivering the verdict, recently broke her silence. During an interview on Law & Crime, Tiffany revealed that she would have also found Vallow guilty, but she required additional time to reach a verdict on the charges related to Tammy Daybell. She stated, "I felt quite confident about the other charges, but I lacked certainty regarding the charge involving Tammy Daybell. I didn't feel that there was substantial evidence to support her specific charge compared to the other charges." Tiffany also expressed her belief that Chad Daybell may have played a more significant role in the events.