GUILTY UT - Kouri Richins, 33, Author, wife, mom, charged in husband’s unexpected death last year, 8 May 2023 #3

[browneyes]

Never mind that it was a fraudulent policy, to start with.

And she was aware, as shown by the "typos" and addresses which would keep ER from seeing said policy. No secrecy needed if he "authorized" it.

I am no lawyer but I don't think anyone can authorize another person to sign for them without a POA and even then, it's not signing THEIR name, it's YOUR name as POA.

Without such a document, anyone could sign anyone's name and just say they had authority. I can't see that holding up anywhere. That's why we have laws about signatures, forgery, POA, etc. It protects everyone.

Here's the litmus test.

If we could go back in time, if ER received a call at the correct number to verify something in processing the policy, would be have thought: yes, I'm so glad KR is doing this. Or would be have been ALARMED AS HELL.

By forging his signature, she violated the insurer's safeguards. They are not in the business of paying out benefits where the death was caused by the beneficiary.

The Defense's position that husbands and wives sign or each other all the time is questionable at best. IMO it could null and void a contract so buyer beware.

JMO

I agree. My jaw dropped when Nester declared in court that she could take out a policy and sign for someone if she had permission. The only permission would be a POA. IMO

 

[Megnut]

Did I hear correctly and that Judge Mrazik put no time limit on closing arguments? If so, defense will take days for their closing...

No time limit.

Does the State get the last word? A chance for rebuttal argument after the Defense's closing argument?

 

[arielilane]

Day 14 - Kouri Richins trial in Summit County, Utah. It’s quiet. Jurors aren’t here today. Prosecutors and defense counsel will be here to go over juror instructions at 1 PM. Jurors return Monday at 8:30 AM for closing argument.
See you on @KUTV2News beginning at Noon.



1:49 PM · Mar 13, 2026


Alrighty, we're seated. I'm behind the defense counsel.Eric's family is in the row behind us this afternoon.Quiet courtroom today. I'm surprised by the amount of media here today, actually.

3:05 PM · Mar 13, 2026


And here's your cordial invite to join us this afternoon.

WATCH LIVE: https://youtu.be/1VOBhl6ipGc

https://twitter.com/x/status/2032533641860100147

Per Nester to Bloodworth and Fred Burmester; Judge Mrazik just sent out his working version of the jury instructions.
Judge isn't in the courtroom yet.

3:16 PM · Mar 13, 2026


They're reviewing the documents and Judge Mrazik is here.Let's see how this goes...
We've got some folks participating via WebEx from Kouri's defense team.

3:24 PM · Mar 13, 2026


Alright, we're going page-by-page
.... and just like that we're on page 15!
... and on page 24!

3:30 PM · Mar 13, 2026


Y'all following out there?

3:50 PM · Mar 13, 2026





Well, we just omitted some pages regarding instructions for the jury involving 'motive'.

3:52 PM · Mar 13, 2026




We're on the 'elements' section of the jury instructions.
Looking into 'intent' and what are the aggravating circumstances.

4:04 PM · Mar 13, 2026



"It's confusing," Bloodworth said.
Judge Mrazik smiled.
Bloodworth was talking about separate sentences... which he wanted two of them together.
Neither side wants a confused jury.

4:05 PM · Mar 13, 2026


We've made it thru 50+ pages of jury instructions.
Not complete, but some things will be looked at by Judge Mrazik during a break.We're now on the verdict form.

4:42 PM · Mar 13, 2026



Judge is out of liquid.
So am I. Need liquid.


4:45 PM · Mar 13, 2026


We're back on the record. I'm in the media room.
Heading out shortly for @KUTV2News at 4PM.

5:41 PM · Mar 13, 2026


Judge is trying to accommodate for the family of Eric Richins and Kouri Richins who haven't been able to come to trial (some have been under subpoena).
He'll make a ruling after discussing with Chris Palmer from Utah State Courts.

6:34 PM · Mar 13, 2026




Media stays in row 1.
There will be two rows for each side of the family. No public access beginning on Monday.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2032587480176931060

 

[arielilane]

No time limit.

Does the State get the last word? A chance for rebuttal argument after the Defense's closing argument?

The state goes first, since they bear burden of proof. The defense then follows; and the state has the opportunity to rebuttal, basically addressing points made by the defense.

 

[arielilane]

RE: #KouriRichins NO PUBLIC ACCESS; SEATING RESERVED FOR FAMILIES

Judge Richard Mrazik ruled in court this afternoon that family/friends of Eric Richins and Kouri Richins will be granted additional seating beginning on Monday. Several family members and friends were subject to subpoena and count NOT attend hearings over the last few weeks.

No public seating will be available here in Summit County beginning on Monday.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2032592869769261162

 

[arielilane]

@PrettyLiesAlibi


Judge Mrazik says no time limit on closings for #KouriRichins
6:30 PM · Mar 13, 2026


Judge Mrazik just said if family needs the seats for closing, they get the seats so there may be none or very little for the public. Not counting the media row, there's 4 rows of seating.
6:36 PM · Mar 13, 2026

 

[Megnut]

The state goes first, since they bear burden of proof. The defense then follows; and the state has the opportunity to rebuttal, basically addressing points made by the defense.

That's been my experience but I was surprised by one trial where side only spoke once, per that State/Court's rules.

State's case, State should get the final word.

JMO

 

[arielilane]

Posted three hours ago:


A few observations from the Kouri Richins courtroom - Judge Mrazik's voice is even more Barry White in person - smooth like butter. Kouri is tiny. Small courtroom. AMAZING court staff.
3:55 PM · Mar 13, 2026

https://twitter.com/x/status/2032546165561110947

 

[arielilane]

That's been my experience but I was surprised by one trial where side only spoke once, per that State/Court's rules.

State's case, State should get the final word.

JMO

It's my understanding for a criminal trial.

 

[303gmf]

This is an interview the quite indignant defense attorneys did last October.

The word ‘narrative’ spoken so often I lost count !

 

[Weki]

Posting this here for the comedic effect of the thumbnail. I just bursted out laughing when this showed up on my feed. I never watch on this channel - I think they just livestream trials - so this is not promo just thought this thumbnail was so funny.

 

[303gmf]

Posting this here for the comedic effect of the thumbnail. I just bursted out laughing when this showed up on my feed. I never watch on this channel - I think they just livestream trials - so this is not promo just thought this thumbnail was so funny.

That showed up on mine too!
Loved his cross responses

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

Posting this here for the comedic effect of the thumbnail. I just bursted out laughing when this showed up on my feed. I never watch on this channel - I think they just livestream trials - so this is not promo just thought this thumbnail was so funny.

Their titles are funny.

 

[Cindizzi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2032609509466845343

 

[ttjo]

Motions for direct verdict are so common they are made by the defense in nearly every civil and criminal trial. I'd date say, every single one but I'm no expert. Her defense might be awful, it is just a standard legal procedure made by every attorney. If her attorney hadn't made that motion, it could be ground enough for ineffective counsel and/or possibly a new trial or a complete turnover if she were to be convicted. I wouldn't give it too much thought.

It just feels arrogant to me, Easy for the defence to say the state didnt prove their case. So how about she takes her own advice and let the jury figure this one out.
She chose to have a jury, and they were there everyday, now she wants to send them home basically, no need for your service now, you can go. That is so rude.

 

[fsngruv]

It just feels arrogant to me, Easy for the defence to say the state didnt prove their case. So how about she takes her own advice and let the jury figure this one out.

I completey get that and agree. I was just stating it's a standard I've seen in literally every trial I've watched. I've actually only seen one granted on courtv, it was the Alyssa Turney case, and I was shocked. There was also a case local to me where a judge granted an acquittal on a motion for directed verdict. It's rarely granted, mostly done to preserve the record and for appeal purposes or for the mere chance a judge might agree, thought highly unlikely. It's a strange thing to understand in law for sure, especially considering the strong feelings the public has developed towards the defense and defendant it definitely comes off as a big ego thing to do, like they have the gall and a very "are you seriously, serious" moment. But even great defense attorneys do it. Har har.
Eta: tons of errors!

 

[ttjo]

I completey get that and agree. I was just stating it's a standard I've seen in literally every trial I've watched. I've actually only seen one granted on courtv, it was the Alyssa Turney case, and I was shocked. There was also a case local to me where a judge granted an acquittal on a motion for directed verdict. It's rarely granted, mostly done to preserve the record and for appeal purposes or for the mere chance a judge might agree, thought highly unlikely. It's a strange thing to understand in law for sure, especially considering the strong feelings the public has developed towards the defense and defendant it definitely comes off as a big who things to do, like they have the gall and a very "are you seriously, serious" moment. But even great defense attorneys do it. Har har.
Eta: tons of errors!

I know,
The defence did a lot of things to be on the record. Even when denied they said “ we just want our objection to be on the recod. so they may as well try this long shot. They have to try everything so Kouri doesn’t try to appeal based on ineffective counsel.

 

[Cindizzi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2032609509466845343

View attachment 652316

 

[Luna20]

SLCBA

www.slcba.net

 

[ttjo]

SLCBA

www.slcba.net

View attachment 652358

That judge was awesome. Kind, polite respectful.