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

[Tortoise]

Nate Eaton of East Idaho News' coverage of this trial is second to none.

If you go to their website homepage East Idaho News there is a banner at the top for the Kouri Richins trial. Clicking on it takes you to this page, Richins Case Archives - East Idaho News from where you can access -

- his live updates (timed live written updates), excellent for those who maybe can't watch the live stream or are hearing impaired,

- watch trial for live streaming, and

- courtroom insider, which is his nightly live recap of each day of the evidence with video highlights from the witnesses, a boon for those who can't watch 7 or 8 hours of trial.

Plus on EIN youtube channel video tab - East Idaho News - he divides up the daily trial into separate videos for each witness, direct and cross examination.

He surely deserves an award for the work he is putting in for this trial coverage. He'll be attending trial next week, not sure which days.

 

[aamillaa]

Defense also probably didn’t look good repeatedly badgering the witness over changing details or things she couldn’t remember, so maybe it’ll all end in a wash. jmoo.

Snipped by me.

I wonder if this is why prosecution isn’t objecting more. Combined with how long the cross is, etc, it may be smarter to let defense hang themselves. MOO

 

[scorpio24]

Snipped by me.

I wonder if this is why prosecution isn’t objecting more. Combined with how long the cross is, etc, it may be smarter to let defense hang themselves. MOO

I do think this is what they are trying to do, but the prosecution really should have objected more, if only to let the witness know they are looking out for her. She is THEIR witness! If I was on the stand getting hammered for hours, I would appreciate at least a little show of support, even if it was "overruled."

That being said, she has handled herself way better than I could have on the stand. And a part of me hopes she comes out fiery and mad today. I'm pulling for her!

MOO

 

[aamillaa]

I do think this is what they are trying to do, but the prosecution really should have objected more, if only to let the witness know they are looking out for her. She is THEIR witness! If I was on the stand getting hammered for hours, I would appreciate at least a little show of support, even if it was "overruled."

That being said, she has handled herself way better than I could have on the stand. And a part of me hopes she comes out fiery and mad today. I'm pulling for her!

MOO

Agree!!
It will be interesting to see how defense handles the rest of their cross today.

Just looking at social media, everything I’ve seen doesn’t love how yesterday went (even with people who didn’t find Carmen believable).

 

[arielilane]

Continuous coverage

KOURI RICHINS MURDER TRIAL: LATEST UPDATES & VIDEO

LIVE UPDATES | Day 5 of Kouri Richins murder trial​

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three boys, is accused of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, in 2022. She is on trial in Summit County, Utah, on charges of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, insurance fraud and forgery.

Today is the fifth day of the trial. It is scheduled to begin each day at 8:30 a.m. East Idaho News will be posting live written updates all day. Please excuse typos. You can watch the livestream here. The most recent updates are at the top of this page.

8:20 a.m. Carmen Lauber is back on the stand this morning as defense attorney Wendy Lewis continues cross-examination. Carmen is the house cleaner who testified that Kouri Richins asked her to purchase illicit pills for her four times around the time Eric Richins died. She was on the stand for around four hours yesterday and is considered a key witness in the trial.

Richins Digest Archives - East Idaho News

www.eastidahonews.com

 

[arielilane]

Carmen Lauber is back on the stand this morning as defense attorney Wendy Lewis continues cross-examination. Carmen is the house cleaner who testified that Kouri Richins asked her to purchase illicit pills for her four times around the time Eric Richins died. She was on the stand for around four hours yesterday and is considered a key witness in the trial.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027406603125719169

 

[arielilane]

Cathy Russon has officially reposted for Court TV.

Law & Crime now owns Court TV.


Cathy Russon reposted

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027401438633087270

 

[Megnut]

Every point the Defense made yesterday -- about CL's addiction, history, education, intelligence -- really served to underscore why KR used her to acquire drugs.

There is no communication between ER and any fentanyl sources, no texts from ER to CL.
So... we're supposed to believe that CL didn't provide drugs to KR? Then what were those communications about?

It all dead ends.

At KR.

Who had deadly means, opportunity and motive.

JMO

 

[Justice101]

Every point the Defense made yesterday -- about CL's addiction, history, education, intelligence -- really served to underscore why KR used her to acquire drugs.

There is no communication between ER and any fentanyl sources, no texts from ER to CL.
So... we're supposed to believe that CL didn't provide drugs to KR? Then what were those communications about?

It all dead ends.

At KR.

Who had deadly means, opportunity and motive.

JMO

So is Eric's phone records (texts and phone calls) going to be entered into the record by this being the defense's witness????

 

[arielilane]

@NateNewsNow


Jury is seated. Lewis begins by asking about Carmen working for Kouri and her aunt cleaning their homes. Lewis asks if Carmen mostly communicated via text. She says phone and text. Lewis asks about Carmen cleaning the Midway mansion. Carmen went over and cleaned it up for an open house. Lewis mentions Nick Von Savage, Carmen and two others cleaning the home. Kouri paid Nick through Venmo.


10:40 AM · Feb 27, 2026

 

[Justice101]

Every point the Defense made yesterday -- about CL's addiction, history, education, intelligence -- really served to underscore why KR used her to acquire drugs.

There is no communication between ER and any fentanyl sources, no texts from ER to CL.
So... we're supposed to believe that CL didn't provide drugs to KR? Then what were those communications about?

It all dead ends.

At KR.

Who had deadly means, opportunity and motive.

JMO

Kouri shakes her head as if to say "No" to her lawyer in response to when Carmen answers that Kouri bought drugs from Carmen 4 times.

So it was only 3 times???!!! Or was it 5 times???? Doesn't matter, small detail and memory fail. She bought them at least twice.

Off topic, but can you imagine how difficult this is for Carmen? Exposing your troubled life to the world like that and seemingly turning on the woman who hired you regularly? it's got to be hard.. but hopefully she is telling 100% of the truth.

She can't hold back and tell 90% of the truth... even if it makes herself look even worse. This is life and death and her agreement with the prosecution I am sure they told her under no circumstances do you tell even a white lie or leave out something important.

 

[arielilane]

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three boys, is accused of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, in 2022. She is on trial in Summit County, Utah, on charges of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, insurance fraud and forgery.


Today is the fifth day of the trial. It is scheduled to begin each day at 8:30 a.m. East Idaho News will be posting live written updates all day. Please excuse typos. You can watch the livestream here. The most recent updates are at the top of this page.


8:43 a.m. Lewis asks about an interview Carmen did with detectives while she was in jail on May 4, 2023. She points Carmen to a transcript from the interview. The detectives asked her if she has talked to anyone about what’s been going on. She told police she hasn’t told anyone – she’s just said she’s in jail on a drug court violation. Lewis says, “That wasn’t a true statement because you had been telling people in detail that you were cooperating with law enforcement.” Carmen says she doesn’t recall. Lewis says she told Nick Von Savage. Carmen says she spoke with Nick “a little bit here and there” but not that she was cooperating.

8:40 a.m. Lewis mentions the $1,300 check Kouri wrote to Carmen on March 6. Carmen says Kouri wrote the check on March 9 and she picked it up on March 9. Eric died on March 4. Nick and Carmen got paid $25 an hour for cleaning the Midway mansion. Judge pauses testimony because someone needs a pair of reading glasses.


8:37 a.m. Jury is seated. Lewis begins by asking about Carmen working for Kouri and her aunt cleaning their homes. Lewis asks if Carmen mostly communicated via text. She says phone and text. Lewis asks about Carmen cleaning the Midway mansion. Carmen went over and cleaned it up for an open house. Lewis mentions Nick Von Savage, Carmen and two others cleaning the home. Kouri paid Nick through Venmo.

8:20 a.m. Carmen Lauber is back on the stand this morning as defense attorney Wendy Lewis continues cross-examination. Carmen is the house cleaner who testified that Kouri Richins asked her to purchase illicit pills for her four times around the time Eric Richins died. She was on the stand for around four hours yesterday and is considered a key witness in the trial.

LIVE UPDATES | Day 5 of Kouri Richins murder trial - East Idaho News

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three boys, is accused of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, in 2022. She is on trial in Summit County, Utah, on charges of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, insurance fraud and forgery. Today is the fifth day of the trial. It is scheduled...

www.eastidahonews.com

 

[tlcya]

Carmen is a prosecution witness. She held up very well yesterday during cross examination by defense. I had to leave so didn't get to see if Prosecution was able to do their redirect with her yesterday. Assuming they did not if she is back on the stand today.

I agree @Megnut , there will be no records of conversations in ER's digital history, nor with any other person who is associated with the world of illicit drugs. Unlike with KR's records which will show her messages back and forth with Carmen about securing drugs for her alleged "investor"

Court is back in session.

 

[Megnut]

Defense attempts to explain KR's check to CL as a payment which CL would disperse. Nice try. KR paid N by venmo and he dispersed it.

Ouch for the Defense. Sorry, not sorry.

They moved on quickly.

KR was clearly funneling money to CL...

Which fits with CL's testimony and actions, digital record, and ultimately fentanyl in ER's system, whereby HE had zero voluntary access to fentanyl and KR most certainly did

JMO

 

[arielilane]

@NateNewsNow


Lewis asks about a call Carmen had with her friend Nick. In the call, Carmen told Nick she was going to meet with the US attorneys and she was nervous about meeting them. Carmen doesn't recall the details. Lewis presses Carmen about not telling the truth. Carmen texted Nick something to the effect, "I absolutely can't lose my drug court," Lewis says.


10:50 AM · Feb 27, 2026

 

[Megnut]

Defense is trying to trip CL up using complex concepts.

CL may have died at one time but later corrected it and the Defense IMO is trying to entangle her in timeliness.

They are exploiting her learning disability. Pretty shameless.

Like defendant, like Defense.

JMO

 

[arielilane]

Good morning from Park City, Utah. Day 5 of the Kouri Richins Trial. Dunkin has been delivered (native New Englander here).

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027407019129622996

REMINDER to the public & family before going into the courtroom today: "There will be no written descriptions, sketches, etc."

We've got a full house here today. 24 public spots have been claimed.

Eric Richins' family is seated in the second row of the benches.

Kouri's family is in the last row (alternates each day).

I'm seated behind Brad Bloodworth and the prosecution; seated next to Carmen Lauber's attorney Mark Moffat.

Carmen is back on the stand; cross continues from Wendy Lewis.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027410287465517487

 

[tlcya]

Lewis trying to suggest for jury that the 1200 check that came up yesterday from KR was for cleaning the mansion. The prosecution suggests the check was for obtaining the drugs that killed ER.

 

[arielilane]

@NateNewsNow


Lewis shows Carmen a text she wrote to Nick. We see it on the screen. She says she can't lose her drug court and she's worked so hard. Lewis reminds Carmen she was very nervous about meeting with federal agents. Carmen says she was. On May 10, 2023, Lewis says two US assistant attorneys and a federal government agent came to meet with Carmen in jail. At this point, Carmen had immunity from federal prosecution, Lewis says.


10:54 AM · Feb 27, 2026



8:51 a.m. Lewis shows Carmen a text she wrote to Nick. We see it on the screen. She says she can’t lose her drug court and she’s worked so hard. Lewis reminds Carmen she was very nervous about meeting with federal agents. Carmen says she was. On May 10, 2023, Lewis says two US assistant attorneys and a federal government agent came to meet with Carmen in jail. At this point, Carmen had immunity from federal prosecution, Lewis says.

 

[aamillaa]

If I was a juror, my notes on the cross would be:
*CL was dealing with drug addiction.
*has memory issues due to long drug use
*may have difficulty understanding questions and reading/processing evidence due to learning disability
*LE pushed her hard to cooperate

*Defense isn’t able to fully explain the check.

KR made a huge mistake with that check. Nothing else matters, IMO. Any informant has a record and a strong motive to cooperate. Harping so much on that isn’t helping disprove the hard evidence (check). MOO