Is Chad Daybell’s Attorney Motion To Leave A Strategic Move To Save Chad's Life?

As the trial of Chad Daybell draws near, the sudden request of his attorney, John Pryor, to withdraw from the case has thrown a wrench into the proceedings. In a recent episode of the "Hidden Killers" podcast, Tony Brueski discusses this unexpected turn of events with Jennifer Coffindaffer, a retired FBI special agent. The conversation centers around the reasoning behind Pryor's decision and its implications for the high-profile case.
 
 Pryor's reasons for wanting to leave — non-payment and his self-professed lack of qualification for a capital murder case — were deemed insufficient by the judge. Coffindaffer expresses some surprise at this decision, recalling previous indications that the judge might have been leaning towards approving the withdrawal. "You know, if you don't feel like you can do this or you're not qualified, I don't know how I'm going to, you know, push you to do it," she paraphrases the judge's earlier sentiment. The denial of the motion, therefore, marks a significant twist.
 
 The discussion shifts to Pryor's long-term involvement in the case, starting in 2021, and his financial relationship with Daybell. Coffindaffer notes, "His house was even bequeathed to this attorney. I have that paperwork somewhere." She also points out that Pryor has faced similar situations before, leading her to speculate that he might have "bled the turnip dry" and is now seeking an exit due to the lack of further payment.
 
 Brueski questions whether Pryor's difficulty in finding a second chair attorney for the case indicates its toxic nature. Coffindaffer suggests that Pryor may feel inadequate to defend Daybell effectively. "I think in my opinion, he's intimidated that he doesn't have the goods to put on a good defense," she observes.
 
 The conversation then turns to the potential strategic implications of Pryor's actions. Brueski theorizes that Pryor might be setting up an appellate issue to save Daybell's life. By stating on record his unpreparedness and lack of qualification, Pryor could be laying the groundwork for an appeal on the grounds of inadequate representation, potentially leading to the death penalty being taken off the table.
 
 Coffindaffer agrees with this hypothesis, drawing parallels to Lori Vallow's trial where her defense's minimal engagement could be used as a basis for appeal. She remarks, "I think it was such a double-edged sword," referring to the judge's decision to keep Pryor on the case to respect the defendant's right to a speedy trial.
 
 As the conversation draws to a close, Coffindaffer and Brueski delve into the complexities of legal strategy in high-stakes cases. They discuss the balance between an attorney's ethical obligations and the strategic maneuvers that might be employed in seemingly unwinnable cases like Daybell's. The key question they leave the audience with is: In the chess game of legal defense, is Pryor's move a calculated strategy or an admission of defeat? And what could this mean for the future of Chad Daybell's trial and potential appeals?

Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com