The Best Story From Idaho’s Vallow Trial Doesn’t Involve Lori
After weeks, literally, of seeing daily trial updates from the Ada County Courthouse--Lori Vallow has been found guilty, on all charges. Vallow is guilty of murder, conspiracy, and grand theft--several counts in some instances, and we now await her sentencing.
Just this afternoon, the first mugshot of Vallow as a convicted murderer surfaced:
Updates from the trial were heartbreaking--even if you didn't follow the case regularly. Cameras were not allowed into the courtroom--but reports of gruesome images being shows from the burial sites of J.J. and Tylee were enough to make anyone sick.
Lori has been found guilty. Justice, in part, has been served to the full extent of the law--and Chad Daybell is up next.
None of this, however, was the part of the trial that brought us the most emotion.
We want you to meet Larry Woodcock
Larry Woodcock: A Bright Spot in Lori Vallow's Trial
Larry has been an amazing example through all of this.
Who is Larry Woodcock? He is the grandfather of J.J. and took care of him during his first 10 months of life until he was adopted by Kay, his wife's, brother. Kay's brother was Charles Vallow--the ex husband of Lori Vallow.
It was Larry Woodcock who contacted Rexburg Police about a missing J.J. Vallow--and it was also Larry who later offered a $20,000 reward for any helpful tips in the missing persons case. Larry loved J.J. Vallow to pieces.
Once the trial began, Larry Woodcock committed to being at the trail every single day--and he was. Large camera crews from all over the nation awaited Larry's arrival to the courthouse--daily. Never once did Larry present himself as anything other than a loving, respectful, and patient man. Larry understood that attacking Lori, calling her names, or bashing on anyone or anything was not going to move the process along or bring justice. Often times, it was Larry reminding the media that this trial was indeed a process to be had--one in which he believed and trusted. Larry often emphasized that he wanted everything to go well so that a jury could make a fair, balanced, and appropriate decision with all of the fact before them.
It's obvious that Larry wanted a guilty verdict. We all did. But Larry said over and over: trust the court process and it will all work itself out.
On the final two days, once jury deliberation began, a unique emotion flowed from Larry--one of love, anticipation, and trust of the process. Woodcock began playing Queen's 'We Will Rock You' and AC/DC 'Thunderstuck'. But why?
To see a grandfather share the stories and memories--and with the strength that Larry did--was so inspiring. We hope as much peace that can come from these guilty verdicts be granted to Larry and Kay.
Chad Daybell--you're up next!