Why The State Says Lori Vallow Caused Her Own Appeal

Lori Vallow Daybell's appellate attorney wants the Idaho Supreme Court to erase every conviction or order a new trial. The state's 59-page response says she built the very problems she's complaining about. She was found incompetent twice — 353 days in state hospitals — and then filed a speedy trial claim over the delay she caused. She moved to change venue and then argued the timeline violated her rights.

The appeal's strongest claim involves her defense attorney Mark Means. Chad Daybell arranged and paid for Means while they were co-conspirators in a capital case. A recorded jail call captured Chad call...