A body language expert has weighed in on Lori Vallow’s posture and movements seen in the Rexburg, Idaho, courtroom last Friday in a new interview with WFMY News.
The case:
- Vallow, the mother of two missing children, currently faces federal charges of desertion and nonsupport, as I wrote for the Deseret News. She made her first court appearance in Idaho after she was arrested in Hawaii back in February. A judge reduced her bond from $5 million to $1 million, as the Deseret News’ Annie Knox and KSL-TV’s Garna Meia reported.
Body language expert weighs in:
- Body language expert Blanca Cobb told WFMY News that Vallow entered the courtroom “smug” and “confident,” especially for someone whose children are missing.
- She told WFMY News she observed Vallow walk into the court room smiling. “She looked at one attorney, she looks at the other, she’s chatting with people. She looks very relaxed. If you look at her shoulders, she’s just relaxed.”
- “When you see behavior that doesn’t seem to fit, you have to ask yourself, ‘Why?’ You can’t say automatically, ‘Well, I wouldn’t act that way so someone shouldn’t act that way. But you should ask yourself, ‘What’s different? Why would they be acting a nontypical way?’”
- Cobb told WFMY News the children’s grandparents were “emotionless” and completely different than how Vallow appeared. “They do look concerned.”
- When the judge sets the bail, Vallow can be seen closing her eyes. Cobb said closing your eyes is a sign that you disagree with something you’re hearing or something that you’re seeing, “it’s like blocking it.”
- Cobb told WFMY News Vallow walked out of the courtroom with a “pep” in her step and her chin up, which is a sign of defiance, confidence and cockiness,
- Cobb said: “It’s not typical behavior that you would expect from a mother who’s being charged with a crime against her children.”
What’s next:
Vallow faces up to 30 years in prison if she is convicted of all crimes, according to People magazine.