SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The grandfather of JJ Vallow is reacting to news that JJ’s mother, Lori Vallow Daybell, has been found competent and the murder case against her can now move forward.

Larry Woodcock spoke to KUTV 2News Tuesday from his home in Lake Charles, Louisiana, one day after word came down that Vallow Daybell was restored to competency and will appear in court to be arraigned next Tuesday afternoon in Idaho.

“We’re thankful that it has moved forward,” Woodcock said. “We’re thankful for this decision.”

That development came as welcome news for Woodcock’s family after the murder case against Vallow Daybell sat stalled for months.

“I’ve said it since day one, she is not incompetent,” said Woodcock. “She knows how to play the system. She's played it her adult life."

Lori Vallow Daybell’s husband, Chad Daybell, is also charged in the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan. The two also face charges in connection with the death of Tammy Daybell, who was married to Chad Daybell until her death in October 2019. Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell married just days after that.

Separately, Lori Vallow Daybell is charged in the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot and killed by Vallow Daybell’s brother in Arizona in 2019. Woodcock’s wife, Kay Woodcock, is Charles Vallow’s sister.

Woodcock told KUTV 2News he and his wife will attend the arraignment next week in Idaho.

“I promise you,” Woodcock said, “I will be sitting so close to them, I can iron their clothes from the back.”

A trial is set for January. Woodcock looks forward to that.

“They’re going to get their day,” he said.

Meantime, Woodcock has many fond memories of his grandson JJ – or Canaan, as he called him, which was the boy’s name at birth.

“He was just a special little boy,” Woodcock said. “He was so special, so brilliant.”

KUTV 2News will have complete coverage of Lori Vallow Daybell’s arraignment next week on 2News and KUTV.com.

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