Garth Daybell Testifies About Mother's Death and Legal Pressure in Ongoing Trial

In a pivotal moment of the ongoing trial, Garth Daybell, son of Chad Daybell, took the stand to testify about the night his mother Tammy died and the subsequent legal pressures he faced. His attorney, Forrest Fischer, also testified, providing crucial insights into the grand jury proceedings that Garth had to navigate.

Garth Daybell recounted the night of October 18, 2019. Garth, an 8th-grade science teacher, described his involvement in a local haunted house and his routine on the evening before his mother's death. "I got home from the haunted attraction around 1 a.m. and saw their shapes in the bed as I passed by their room," Garth testified. He watched YouTube videos until around 3 a.m. and was later awakened by his father’s call for help.

"I heard a thump and then my dad said, 'Garth, come help,'" Garth recounted. He found his mother, Tammy, partially off the bed, and immediately tried to help her. "I realized she’s not been breathing," Garth said, describing his shock and helplessness.

The following morning, Garth was met with law enforcement vehicles outside his home. "Several officers got out and surrounded me and insisted I go with them," he testified. His phone was confiscated, and both he and his wife were detained separately for hours. 

Garth felt immense pressure from prosecutors to change his testimony, stating, "They were telling me my story was untrue and I needed to change it."   

Forrest Fischer, Garth’s attorney, took the stand to provide his account. Fischer, based in Driggs, was called to provide legal services for Garth during the grand jury proceedings. "The focus of the grand jury was on Garth," Fischer explained, noting that Garth had previously testified and now faced follow-up questions, potentially about perjury.

Fischer recounted his instructions to Garth during the proceedings. "I told him to answer only the questions being asked and if he wasn’t sure, Garth could consult with me," Fischer testified. He emphasized that Garth should not talk to the media. Fischer also addressed whether he warned Garth about potential traps in the grand jury. "I don’t recall exactly but wouldn’t have been surprised if I did because Garth had already testified," Fischer said.
Garth’s testimony revealed the emotional toll of the events. He learned about his mother's exhumation unexpectedly from his sister Emma. "It was a complete surprise," Garth said. He described his normal school day interrupted by law enforcement’s presence at his home, leading to a deeply distressing experience.

Garth also spoke about his father Chad Daybell’s religious beliefs, contrasting them with his own. Garth described his father's beliefs as more traditional, closer to how the LDS faith was practiced a hundred years ago. "I teach and believe in evolution. I teach that to my students. I teach the earth is 4.5 billion years old as opposed to 6,000," Garth said, highlighting his more scientific perspective.

He also discussed his father's views on spiritual concepts like the 144,000 and the practice of casting out evil spirits. Garth acknowledged partially sharing some of his father's views on light and dark as opposing forces but did not fully align with Chad's more extreme beliefs.

Throughout the testimony, attorneys from both sides engaged in detailed questioning. Prosecutor Lindsey Blake asked Garth about his awareness of the grand jury’s intent and his interactions with law enforcement. Defense attorney John Prior focused on Garth’s perceptions of his father’s beliefs and the pressure he felt from prosecutors.

As the session concluded, Garth reaffirmed his belief that the prosecutors were pressuring him to alter his testimony. "It was made pretty plain that I needed to change my story to fit theirs," Garth said, highlighting the intense scrutiny and legal challenges he faced.

Forrest Fischer's testimony wrapped up with his confirmation of providing legal counsel to Garth, emphasizing that there were no charges against him. The court adjourned shortly after Fischer's cross-examination by prosecutor Blake.

The testimonies of Garth Daybell and Forrest Fischer provided crucial insights into the personal and legal challenges faced by the Daybell family. As the trial progresses, these testimonies underscore the complexities and emotional weight of the case, shedding light on the intense scrutiny surrounding the events leading to Tammy Daybell’s death and the subsequent legal proceedings.
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