UT - Kouri Richins, 33, Author, wife, mom, charged in husband’s unexpected death last year, May 2023 #2

[Seattle1]

Financial forensic investigator Karrington said Kouri received $1.3 million in life insurance payouts after Eric’s death.

Were these payments from policies taken out without ER's knowledge? If not, what is the standing of the Trust set up by Eric (i.e., evidence he removed KR as beneficiary in anticipation of divorce)?

See Defense Motion to Set Conditions of Release dated 6/9/23, pgs 11-12.

Defense states Eric had knowledge of each life insurance policy as evidenced by the medical examination required, signed by physician AND Eric. Exhibits supporting defense claim are noted as under seal and not provided with document.

Motion To Set Conditions of Release | PDF

Motion to Set Conditions of Release

www.scribd.com

Legal expert believes Kouri Richins defense attorneys 'confident' in case

A Utah criminal defense attorney says the lawyers representing a Summit County woman accused of killing her husband are likely feeling confident about the case.

kutv.com

 

[Cindizzi]

Snipped

I can't see an addict taking five times the lethal dose of fentanyl, either. Waste of money just to get high or kill oneself. And how do you take 5x the lethal amount of fentanyl without dying before the fifth dose? It's used as anesthesia, correct? That means it's fast. You'd prolly be out after dose #1. It would be like shooting yourself in the head, and then pulling the trigger 4 more times to shoot yourself in your head. Not conceivable.

Fentanyl is not an anesthetic, it’s a pain medicine. The drug that killed Michael Jackson was propofol which I’ve had during a colonoscopy. KR might have been confused when she allegedly asked for the “MJ stuff”.

My Mother was prescribed Fentanyl patches ( like nicotine patches) called Duragesic back in 1995 for one of the worst kind of pain on Earth- bone cancer. Her doctor told me that Fentanyl is 50 times the strength of Morphine.

I never heard of Fentanyl again until recently when people started dying of overdoses.

Somehow a drug with legitimate uses has now become mixed into illicit street drugs like cocaine and even pressed into pills that look like Percocet (Oxycodone) and Vicodin (Hydrocodone) and that’s why people are dying.

A young teen in my town died from one pill.

Colorado Springs woman sentenced to 20 years for distributing fentanyl resulting in death

Colorado Springs woman sentenced to 20 years for distributing fentanyl resulting in death

krdo.com

The Defense in this case cannot dispute the cause of Eric’s death, so I think they will try to say he was a “ partier” and got some bad stuff.

JMO

 

[Cindizzi]

See Defense Motion to Set Conditions of Release dated 6/9/23, pgs 11-12.

Defense states Eric had knowledge of each life insurance policy as evidenced by the medical examination required, signed by physician AND Eric. Exhibits supporting defense claim are noted as under seal and not provided with document.

Motion To Set Conditions of Release | PDF

Motion to Set Conditions of Release

www.scribd.com

Legal expert believes Kouri Richins defense attorneys 'confident' in case

A Utah criminal defense attorney says the lawyers representing a Summit County woman accused of killing her husband are likely feeling confident about the case.

kutv.com

The Forensic Accountant who testified today was asked how many life insurance policies on ER and she said 6.

in this Motion I see the Defense claiming that 2 of them ( 2014 and 2017 ) they have documents that show ER took a physical and signed for the policy.

Another one they say that the premium payment came out of the joint checking account of KR and ER so should prove the Prosecution failed on that one. I’m not sure about that one.

The most baffling one to me is the one on ER and his business partuner where the beneficiary was changed . They say the Prosecution cannot prove what computer it came from. Who else would change it to Kouri?
jmo

 

[Cindizzi]

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[Seattle1]

Issues from testimony the Prosecutor needs to overcome:

Toxicology reports indicate Eric died of ingested, fentanyl poisoning.

Prosecutor alleges KR placed fentanyl in a Moscow Mule drink she prepared for Eric (per the defendant).

However, the prosecution has no independent evidence of this drink including the cup, and did not test any cup/container in the house for traces of fentanyl.

No fentanyl was ever located in the residence during the search on date of death or later searches.

Investigators presented Eric's best friend identified as J.S. with three possible scenarios: Either Eric had overdosed himself, someone did it to him, or it was accidental. Detective

Investigator O’Driscoll provided J.S. said he couldn’t see Kouri Richins poisoning Eric and that he believed she didn’t have anything to do with his death.

The previous lead investigator left a potential murder case for a patrol position within the department. Hmm.. IMO, sure sounds like a demotion to me! Are rumors true about evidence mishandled and investigator removed from case?

The defense also brought up key witness C.L.’s history with drugs, saying she was on drug probation, and investigators told C.L. about the punishments she could be facing including federal charges and a prison sentence for breaking that probation. (Credibility of star witness).

Financial forensic investigator Karrington said Kouri received $1.3 million in life insurance payouts after Eric’s death.

Were these payments from policies taken out without ER's knowledge? If not, what is the standing of the Trust set up by Eric (i.e., evidence he removed KR as beneficiary in anticipation of divorce)?

MOO

After reading the 31 pg Defense Motion to Set Conditions for Release, dated 6/9/23, I need to append the "additional issues the prosecution may need to overcome."

First, the defense alleges Eric was aware of all the life insurance policies and evidenced by physical exam statements (required by underwriter) signed by the physician AND Eric and/or premium direct withdrawal from joint account. Exhibits in support were filed w/motion but are under seal and not available for viewing.

Defense also makes it sound like the couple seldom did things alone and there was always a group including the trip to Greece and Valentines Day which Eric initiated the group invite not on Feb 14 but Feb 19, and witnesses will account for the poisoning subject coming up when one of the guests first stopped at urgent care before dinner to ask if alcohol permitted after an allergy shot.

On Feb 14, defense alleges the nanny will provide Eric fell asleep in his office above the detached garage and came inside the house to collect the boys for soccer practice -- he's the coach. He wasn't ill and did not use an epi pen or ask for epi pen, and many witnesses at soccer will attest Eric seemed normal and not suffering from poisoning attempt.

Defense also writes as if the only support for the prosecution theory is from the authors of this theory (i.e., Eric's sisters) and not their mutual friends. They definitely want to smear the credibility of Eric's sister and allege she has no evidence to support her opinion about Eric and Kouri's relationship or allegations about their JOINT finances.

Search Warrants were not executed on the home or Kouri's personal electronics until April 13, 2022 (more than a month after Eric's death), and May 8, 2023.

There's also no mention in the Motion of a search warrant for Eric's truck or his electronics but defense makes it sound like nothing of Eric's was searched while still in KR's possession. (Business partner later collected Eric's truck and electronics and no mention if/when searched).

Defense hints at some bad blood between Eric and his business partner after the partner turned Eric in for poaching and using his mother's name/address for additional game tags where Eric lost his hunting privileges 8 years effective June 2019 to June 2027. Eric appealed and received some relief but still was prevented from hunting for more than 4 years, effective June 2019 to March 2024. As an avid hunter, this was devastating to Eric.

Defense also states that on Aug 23, 2022, the business was ordered to pay more than $600K to US Dept of Labor for underpayment of wages after violating overtime rules for piece work.

In other words, without coming out and pointing the finger, the defense wants the reader to know there was a breach of trust and first hint somebody else might have wanted Eric dead and/or the SODDI defense.

No doubt the defense is working it's way to the preliminary hearing and not to prove Kouri innocent but plant some reasonable doubt. MOO

 

[Seattle1]

The Forensic Accountant who testified today was asked how many life insurance policies on ER and she said 6.

in this Motion I see the Defense claiming that 2 of them ( 2014 and 2017 ) they have documents that show ER took a physical and signed for the policy.

Another one they say that the premium payment came out of the joint checking account of KR and ER so should prove the Prosecution failed on that one. I’m not sure about that one.

The most baffling one to me is the one on ER and his business partuner where the beneficiary was changed . They say the Prosecution cannot prove what computer it came from. Who else would change it to Kouri?
jmo

View attachment 428459View attachment 428460

Thanks @Cindizzi. It wasn't clear to me if the value of ALL the individual policies (totaling 6) on Eric's life was around $1.3M (excluding business life policy part of the buy/sell agreement), and if Kouri collected about $1.3M, does this mean the $500K policy where Eric allegedly changed the beneficiary from Kouri to the Trust was paid and to whom.

The defense certainly wants us to believe that nothing alleged by the Richins sisters can be proven true -- beginning with the life insurance! Nonetheless -- medical/physical exams for underwriter are pretty basic requirements for the prosecution to miss here! JMO

 

[Cindizzi]

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[Seattle1]

'What is a lethal dose of fentanyl?': Alleged search history of mom charged with husband's murder

The searches found on Kouri Richins' iPhone include the phrases, "Luxury prisons for the rich in America" and "How to permanently delete information from an iPhone remotely."

abc13.com

6/12/23

​

Allegations of forged documents​

Potentially previewing what may be presented in trial, another filing in the case includes allegations that some of Eric Richins' financial documents may have been forged.

The professional opinion of Matt Throckmorton - a forensic document examiner who looked at three specific documents relating to durable power of attorney and life insurance - is included in the filings.

After comparing those documents with dozens of other documents Eric Richins authored, Throckmorton indicated that signatures on the three items in question appear to have been forged.

"The forgeries in this case are 'simulated forgeries.' That is when someone tries to copy, draw or duplicate another person's characteristics and habits and tries to create a fraudulent signature or set of initials with enough similarities they might get passed off as genuine," Throckmorton explained.

"Eric made and requested several unusual to highly unusual choices and provisions to his estate plan," said attorney Kristal Bowman-Carter, who counseled Eric on estate planning, according to the documents.

Those unusual requests included that his wife not be designated as his health care agent should one be needed and that his wife and children be provided for, but with the caveat that she should be unable to control the financials. Eric chose his father and sister to be trustees on his family's behalf, according to the documents.

Eric sought to "protect the three young sons he and Kouri had together in the long-term by ensuring that Kouri would never be in a position to manage his property after his death," Bowman-Carter said.

In a phone conversation the day after Eric's death, Bowman-Carter explained the trust to Kouri. She said Kouri "became extremely upset. Her behavior (led) me to believe she was learning this for the first time."

In an email included in the filings, Richins wrote to police clarifying information about her previous testimony, including a reference to an affair her husband previously had. "Eric's affair was the same year I 'moved out,' the trust was created as well as him looking into a divorce," she wrote. "Eric and I figured things out like most couples do," she added.

ETA: Defense went full gaslighting in the Motion on the estate plan, alleging Eric's sister, the designated representative by Eric contacted the estate attorney and was allegedly told it was to early to go over Eric's finances.

 

[tmar]

That grinning she did is called dupers delight. Saw that on dailymail.

Welcome Sonnys, with your first post.
You have joined at a good time!!!

 

[Niner]

Judge denies Kouri Richins bail after 4 hour detention hearing

Kouri Richins, the woman accused of killing her husband with fentanyl poisoning then writing a children’s book about grieving, is due in court on Monday, June 12 for a detention hearing.

www.abc4.com

6/12/23

During Monday’s hearing, a judge heard from both parties and three witnesses before making a decision to continue holding Kouri Richins without bail during her pretrial period.

The court will meet again in person at noon on Thursday, June 22 for a scheduling conference. [Defense will advise the court on discovery status to set a preliminary hearing date. Prosecutor denies any discovery to the defense is outstanding].

Upon starting the day in court, attorneys on behalf of the State of Utah said they would bring in three witnesses for the hearing, starting with Det. Jeff O’Driscoll, the lead investigator in the case.

[..]

After a short recess, the defense resumed its questioning of Detective O’Driscoll, asking him about when he took over the case as a lead investigator. She asked if he knew the previous investigator had been removed from the case, to which he said she had stepped down because she moved to the patrol unit to respond to emergency situations.

[..]

For their second witness, the prosecution brought Chris Kotrodimos up to the stand, a private investigator formerly with the Salt Lake City Police Department and Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office who specializes in digital forensics.

[..]

For their final witness, prosecutors brought financial forensics investigator Brooke Karrington.... Karrington said Kouri Richins’ business had a growing business and it was growing significantly, though she said it could have been problematic.

[..]

Finally, Eric’s sister, Amy, stepped up to the podium to make an impact statement.

[..]

Following each party’s closing arguments, where lawyers from both sides recounted evidence submitted and the questioning of the three witnesses, the judge determined Kouri Richins will be held with no bail during the pretrial period.

Kouri Richins could still appeal for bail, though she only has a 30-day window to file the appeal.

The court will meet again in person at noon on Thursday, June 22 for a scheduling conference.

@Niner

ETA: Court TV Youtube links for each witness and victim impact statement uploaded separately, and all four links previously posted here and MEDIA thread.

I am not following this case. Do you want me to keep info on the court dates? If so, I shall have to read backwards to get info on it.
One reason I am not following it - it is in Utah & I have access to court site. And did not want to "bother" someone for updates....

 

[Gardenista]

Welp, the problem about CL not being credible has been solved. Kouri changed her story and now says she bought the drugs from CL for Eric. This doc was just uploaded yesterday

Xchange

 

[Seattle1]

I am not following this case. Do you want me to keep info on the court dates? If so, I shall have to read backwards to get info on it.
One reason I am not following it - it is in Utah & I have access to court site. And did not want to "bother" someone for updates....

No problem @Niner.

It's a case attracting much attention and today was a good preview of the preliminary hearing and I was glad to get the names of prosecutions witnesses in court today for you!

We know this doesn't always happen and we were lucky Court TV was allowed to cover the bail hearing.

 

[neesaki]

Wasn't the life insurance money supposed to be for the kids?

Oh , maybe that’s the policy that paid. I wonder about the ones she took out on him without his knowledge.

 

[neesaki]

Is that BF as in "boyfriend"? Say more!

No, BF for best friend.

 

[Gardenista]

This is from the same document that I clipped from a couple of posts ago

Xchange

 

[Seattle1]

Oh , maybe that’s the policy that paid. I wonder about the ones she took out on him without his knowledge.

The forensic financial witness for the prosecution testified that Eric had a total of 6 individual life insurance policies totaling about $1.3M (excludes the partners life policies for the buy/sell agreement), and KR actually collected about $1.3M in June 2022.

In the defense motion filed June 9, they allege Eric knew about all the policies since the premiums were paid by auto withdrawal from their JOINT bank account, and two of the policies allegedly purchased w/o Eric's knowledge required physical exams where both the physician AND Eric signed for them. In other words, the defense claims any policies allegedly unknown to Eric are false-- and they can prove it.

 

[Gardenista]

The forensic financial witness for the prosecution testified that Eric had a total of 6 individual life insurance policies totaling about $1.3M (excludes the partners life policies for the buy/sell agreement), and KR actually collected about $1.3M in June 2022.

In the defense motion filed June 9, they allege Eric knew about all the policies since the premiums were paid by auto withdrawal from their JOINT bank account, and two of the policies allegedly purchased w/o Eric's knowledge required physical exams where both the physician AND Eric signed for them. In other words, the defense claims any policies allegedly unknown to Eric are false-- and they can prove it.

In the state's bench brief, they say at least one of the policies was forged. It's the $100K policy that she purchased in January. The state knows about the physical exams, I've seen the subpoenas for them.

 

[Niner]

No problem @Niner.

It's a case attracting much attention and today was a good preview of the preliminary hearing and I was glad to get the names of prosecutions witnesses in court today for you!

We know this doesn't always happen and we were lucky Court TV was allowed to cover the bail hearing.

Darn... now you WANT me to follow this?!! LOL! I saw this when it happened - I shall see if I have time to catch up on this one & get all the facts written down.

 

[Seattle1]

This is from the same document that I clipped from a couple of posts ago

View attachment 428489

Xchange

Thanks @Gardenista. I was waiting for this after the financial forensic investigator testified about the large number of checks by Kouri returned by her bank unpaid, and the property deeds in the name of KR's business, a single member LLC. And I think charges for federal income tax fraud will be next. JMO

 

[Seattle1]

In the state's bench brief, they say at least one of the policies was forged. It's the $100K policy that she purchased in January. The state knows about the physical exams, I've seen the subpoenas for them.

Thank you. I just read about this examiner this evening:

After comparing those documents with dozens of other documents Eric Richins authored, Throckmorton indicated that signatures on the three items in question appear to have been forged.

"The forgeries in this case are 'simulated forgeries.' That is when someone tries to copy, draw or duplicate another person's characteristics and habits and tries to create a fraudulent signature or set of initials with enough similarities they might get passed off as genuine," Throckmorton explained.