Lori Vallow's attorney called her a 'misunderstood' person, and quoted MLK Jr. at the cult mom's sentencing

• Lori Vallow was sentenced to life in prison.
• Vallow was convicted in May of killing her two children and conspiring to kill her lover's wife.

Lori Vallow's defense attorney John Thomas called her a "very misunderstood person' at her sentencing Monday, during which he also quoted Martin Luther King Jr.

Idaho Judge Steven Boyce sentenced Lori Vallow on Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Boyce had previously granted the Vallow's request to dismiss the death penalty.

In a statement before the sentencing, Thomas said Vallow was "the most hated woman in America right now and maybe in the world."

"That hate will never bring closure to the victims," he added. "That hate will never bring about the healing to those that are hurt by this case. And hate will never bring about peace."

Thomas then proceeded to quote Martin Luther King Jr., saying: "Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that."

While handing down his sentence on Monday, Boyce said Vallow had "lived a law-abiding life" until this case, adding: "Something radically changed in you that led you to where you are today."

Vallow was convicted in May of the first-degree murder of her two kids, J.J. and Tylee. She was also convicted of conspiring in the death of Chad Daybell's wife, Tammy. Vallow met Daybell, a former gravedigger and author of books about the apocalypse, when he was still married and began a relationship. They wed shortly after Tammy's death.

J.J. was found buried with his 17-year-old sister Tylee in the Idaho backyard of Daybell on June 9, 2020.

During Monday's sentencing, Judge Boyce added that he doesn't think Vallow had any remorse for the crimes.

Vallow's case received widespread media coverage, particularly for her doomsday obsession and cult religious fascination.

In a statement to the court Monday, Vallow insisted there was no murder in the case, and claimed that she can still communicate with her dead children.

"Jesus Christ knows the truth of what happened here," she said. "No one was murdered in this case. Accidental deaths happen. Suicides happen. Fatal side effects from medications happen."