State has to file any opposing motions 7 days before the hearing, which would have been January 12th, for the hearing on 19th. Sometimes they don't show up on the Portal for a few days. I'll be looking out for State's response to this, I can't see them agreeing to these sessions, even though it looks on the surface to be a step in the right direction.
The way I'm looking at it, which could be wrong - just because it's a joint trial and they're charged with conspiracy and a common plan, doesn't mean as individuals they defend the charges as a team. Yes they both want to know what the other is going to say but if they're planning on telling the truth they wouldn't need "strategy" sessions.
That's aside from the legal ramifications of their lawyers participating.
Another thing that's interesting is Scott Reisch and Lori Hellis haven't really batted an eyelid between them at this. SR said it will be interesting to see what the court says. LH (youtube live on Wednesday Jan 11th) seems to think "they" want to make an offer to the State. I just can't see what's stopping them doing that individually with their lawyers representing them. Their acts weren't done by one body and one head, their verdicts will be taken separately and mitigation and sentencing will be individual. This looks exactly like scheming.
I think Lori doesn't want to plead guilty to some aspect, to have Chad say at trial, 'she's pled guilty, it proves my defense of Lori and Alex did it'. I'm not sure Chad is ready to admit guilt or has made any overtures of the sort. I don't even think Lori is ready to admit full guilt, she wouldn't be giving an "alibi" if she was. I think she might say she's guilty of not reporting the children's deaths, Alex confessed to her on the day he died. Her personality has always been to demonize others, right back to her early marriages.
I say bring on the trial!