Chad Daybell, convicted of murdering his wife Tammy and the two children of his girlfriend Lori Vallow, has been sentenced to death. He may face execution by firing squad, a method now permitted under Idaho’s newly enacted law.
Daybell Sentenced to Death
Chad Daybell has been sentenced to death after six weeks of intense testimony in his high-profile Idaho murder trial. Under a new law, he could face execution by firing squad.
Cult Leader’s Grim Fate
At 55, Daybell, a self-proclaimed “doomsday cult” prophet, now joins eight others on Idaho’s death row. He was found guilty of the 2019 murders of his wife Tammy Daybell and the children of his then-girlfriend Lori Vallow.
Jury’s Verdict
Two days after the guilty verdict, the jury decided on the death penalty for Daybell. He showed no emotion when given a chance to speak by Judge Steven Boyce.
Idaho’s Rare Use of Death Penalty
Idaho’s death penalty cases have gained renewed attention, particularly with Daybell and Bryan Kohberger’s high-profile cases. Kohberger stands accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022.
Execution History in Idaho
Since the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976, Idaho has executed only three people. The last execution occurred in 2012.
Firing Squads in the Spotlight
Idaho recently joined four other states in allowing execution by firing squad. The law, effective since July 2023, places Idaho alongside Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.
Utah’s Unique History
Utah remains the only state to have used firing squads in the last 50 years. Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed in 2010, marking a rare example of this method of death.
The Execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner
Gardner faced the firing squad at Utah State Prison, surrounded by sandbags and with a target pinned to his chest. Five staff members, one armed with a blank cartridge, fired .30-caliber rifles from 25 feet away.
Searching for Alternatives
States are exploring alternatives to lethal injection as pharmaceutical companies restrict drug use for executions. Some are reconsidering electric chairs and gas chambers.
Debate Over Firing Squads
Some view firing squads as less cruel than lethal injections, including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She cited the expectation that bullets cause immediate unconsciousness by quickly rupturing the heart.
The Argument for Firing Squads
Sotomayor noted in a 2017 dissent that death by shooting could be near-instant and possibly painless. Her comments arose during the case of an Alabama inmate who requested execution by firing squad.
Lethal Injection Concerns
Sotomayor argued that lethal injections might mask intense pain by paralyzing inmates while they remain conscious. She criticized this method as potentially the most cruel despite appearing humane.
Questions of Pain
Many still debate whether firing squads are genuinely painless. Anesthesiologist Joseph Antognini stated in a 2019 federal case that inmates could remain conscious and experience severe pain depending on where bullets strike.
The Violent Reality
Firing squad executions are visibly violent and bloody, raising concerns about the trauma to witnesses and staff. This method contrasts sharply with the seemingly serene nature of lethal injections.
Daybell’s Next Steps
Following his death sentence, Daybell will undergo a mandatory post-conviction review and can pursue an appeal. The appeals process in capital cases is notoriously lengthy, often reaching the US Supreme Court.
