Mary Ellen Resendez-Schwezo

That's really interesting because it's almost like you had to go back in time. Now, remember, Charles Vallow was shot and killed back in July of 2019 before Lori's kids went missing and before they were found dead. But Charles still deserved justice. And so even though Lori is serving these three life sentences, you know, Charles and his family did deserve justice.

That's really interesting because it's almost like you had to go back in time. Now, remember, Charles Vallow was shot and killed back in July of 2019 before Lori's kids went missing and before they were found dead. But Charles still deserved justice. And so even though Lori is serving these three life sentences, you know, Charles and his family did deserve justice.

So the state of Arizona extradited Lori right after her 2023 trial. And she was brought here to Arizona to face the conspiracy murder charge for her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. Charles was shot and killed by Alex Cox, her brother. He admitted to shooting Charles. He claimed it was in self-defense. He told police that Charles had come after him with a bat.

So the state of Arizona extradited Lori right after her 2023 trial. And she was brought here to Arizona to face the conspiracy murder charge for her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. Charles was shot and killed by Alex Cox, her brother. He admitted to shooting Charles. He claimed it was in self-defense. He told police that Charles had come after him with a bat.

Now, the family questioned this from the beginning. Charles was a minor league baseball player. And according to the family, if he swung a bat, he was going to connect. And so that's what this trial dealt with. Was that self-defense or was it basically an ambush to where they had planned to murder Charles?

Now, the family questioned this from the beginning. Charles was a minor league baseball player. And according to the family, if he swung a bat, he was going to connect. And so that's what this trial dealt with. Was that self-defense or was it basically an ambush to where they had planned to murder Charles?

Yes. The question was whether Lori actually conspired with her brother to kill him. So that was basically what the prosecution had to prove, that Lori was involved and that it was a planned killing. It was not self-defense. You were in the courtroom for this? I was watching most of it on stream.

Yes. The question was whether Lori actually conspired with her brother to kill him. So that was basically what the prosecution had to prove, that Lori was involved and that it was a planned killing. It was not self-defense. You were in the courtroom for this? I was watching most of it on stream.

I did go into the courtroom for one day to just sort of see the color of the courtroom and just kind of get a feel for what the courtroom was like.

I did go into the courtroom for one day to just sort of see the color of the courtroom and just kind of get a feel for what the courtroom was like.

It was interesting because even though I'd covered this for years, I'd not actually been in the room with Lori. So when she first entered the courtroom, I was surprised on the charisma that she had. I had heard about it, but there was definitely some charisma. And in this trial, she actually decided to represent herself.

It was interesting because even though I'd covered this for years, I'd not actually been in the room with Lori. So when she first entered the courtroom, I was surprised on the charisma that she had. I had heard about it, but there was definitely some charisma. And in this trial, she actually decided to represent herself.

In December of 2024, her attorney asked to be removed from the case, and Lori asked to represent herself. The judge gave her several warnings, you know, really wanted to make sure, are you sure about this? Are you sure? But she was determined she was going to take over her own case.

In December of 2024, her attorney asked to be removed from the case, and Lori asked to represent herself. The judge gave her several warnings, you know, really wanted to make sure, are you sure about this? Are you sure? But she was determined she was going to take over her own case.

It was interesting to hear everyone's opinion on Lori basically representing herself. I think people thought it was going to be more of a train wreck than it was. There were times where she didn't do too bad. And then there were times where, oh no, her feelings definitely came out. And one of the moments I think everybody will remember about the trial is when Nancy Jo Hancock comes up to testify.

It was interesting to hear everyone's opinion on Lori basically representing herself. I think people thought it was going to be more of a train wreck than it was. There were times where she didn't do too bad. And then there were times where, oh no, her feelings definitely came out. And one of the moments I think everybody will remember about the trial is when Nancy Jo Hancock comes up to testify.

And Nancy Jo was someone that Charles Vallow had just met online. He's separated from Lori at this time. And he's coming to Arizona to take JJ to school and visit with JJ. And so he meets up with her the night before he's murdered. And they have this date. They go to dinner. They get to know each other. Very kind of innocent date. But Lori turns it into something more.

And Nancy Jo was someone that Charles Vallow had just met online. He's separated from Lori at this time. And he's coming to Arizona to take JJ to school and visit with JJ. And so he meets up with her the night before he's murdered. And they have this date. They go to dinner. They get to know each other. Very kind of innocent date. But Lori turns it into something more.

Lori really goes after Nancy Jo. She keeps using the term, my husband. So you went on a date with my husband.

Lori really goes after Nancy Jo. She keeps using the term, my husband. So you went on a date with my husband.