Lori Vallow case: Judge grants motion for mental evaluation; Arizona trial vacated

PHOENIX - Lori Vallow's upcoming murder trial in Arizona has been vacated after a judge granted her request for a full mental competency evaluation.

Vallow's defense lawyer filed a motion for what is known as a "Rule 11 evaluation." On Oct. 21, Vallow's motion was granted.

According to the Maricopa County Superior Court's website, under Rule 11, the Forensic Services Division evaluates defendants for competency in criminal cases.

"Judge Justin Beresky grants Lori Vallow’s motion for full Rule 11 evaluation. Two qualified mental health experts will be appointed to examine and evaluate Vallow. Her February trial is now vacated as this case moves to Rule 11 commissioner’s court for further hearings," FOX 10 Investigative Reporter Justin Lum wrote on X.

Per the Associated Press, Vallow's Idaho criminal case was paused in 2021 after she was declared incompetent to stand trial, and was committed to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for treatment. She was declared competent 10 months later.

We reached out to Vallow's lawyer for comment, but he has yet to respond. 

Victim's grandfather reacts to latest development

Larry Woodcock, who was Charles Vallow's brother-in-law and JJ's grandfather, said he is not surprised at the legal move.

"She knows what she's doing, and the state of Idaho proved that she was competent," said Woodcock. "I think it’s just Lori being Lori."

The evaluation process explained

In the case of Vallow's evaluation in Arizona, both prosecutors and the defense are ordered to provide medical and criminal history to Maricopa County's Correctional Health Services, and two qualified mental health experts will be appointed to examine Vallow, and determine if she is competent to stand trial.

In Vallow's Idaho sentencing, we learned she was diagnosed with a personality disorder and ‘hyper religiosity’ after she told the court that no one was murdered, and that she talks to Jesus.

One legal expert said a defendant can be competent, even if they have a mental illness.

"That's where the doctors come in, to be able to say whether or not you understand the nature of defense, understand what's going on in court, so that will determine whether or not she is competent to stand trial," said Benjamin Taylor, a criminal defense attorney with Taylor & Gomez. "It's a very low bar, and just because you have a mental health issue doesn't mean you're gonna get off scot-free."

Taylor is not involved in Vallow's case, but he said if both experts disagree on competency, a third will be appointed.

"The judge will allow for another doctor to come in, and there'll be a battle of the doctors to determine whether or not she is competent to stand trial or not," said Taylor. "The big thing here is if she's not competent to stand trial and she can't be restored in the future, this case could be ultimately dismissed."

Vallow faces multiple allegations in Arizona

Lori Vallow (MCSO)

In Arizona, the so-called "Doomsday Mom" is accused of conspiring in the fatal shooting of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and plotting the attempted murder of her niece's ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.

In the case of Charles Vallow's murder, Lori's late brother, Alex Cox, claimed self-defense for the incident. Police in Gilbert believe Cox was also the shooter in Boudreaux's case. Cox died in December 2019.

Initially, the trial was scheduled for Aug. 1, but a judge later decided to push the trial to Feb. 24, 2025, despite Vallow not waiving her right to a speedy trial. As mentioned above, that trial is now vacated.

Vallow was extradited to Arizona in November 2023, months after being sentenced in Idaho to life in prison without parole for killing her two youngest children, Joshua "JJ" Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiring in the murder of Tammy Daybell. Tammy was the former wife of Chad Daybell, who is Vallow's current husband.