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

[TwinkieDefense]

Feb 19, 2025 update

Prosecutors in Kouri Richins murder case filed 'snarky screed of personal attacks'

New court filings by the prosecution in the Kouri Richins aggravated murder case paint a picture of strongly worded language prompting Richins defense team to c

kutv.com

[…]

New court filings by the prosecution in the Kouri Richins aggravated murder case paint a picture of strongly worded language prompting Richins defense team to characterize them as a “snarky screed of personal attacks” against them for doing nothing more than complying with their constitutional duty to represent their client. Richins is accused of fatally poisoning her husband Eric Richins with fentanyl in March of 2022 at their eastern Summit County home in Kamas.

[…]

 

[imstilla.grandma]

In their order Feb. 18, however, justices sided with 3rd District Presiding Judge Laura Scott who previously denied the in-person selection request.

And the five-page decision also says Utah law does not allow multi-county juries.

The Utah Supreme Court says it will issue a formal opinion at a later date. It issued its order as soon as possible because the murder trial is two months away.

High court rejects jury selection appeal in Kouri Richins murder trial

The Utah Supreme Court says jurors will only come from Summit County and will be selected via video conferencing.

www.kpcw.org

 

[Seattle1]

5/19/25

5 Fiery Claims in Utah Mom's Poisoning Case​

 

[arielilane]

PARK CITY, Utah (KUTV) — Kouri Richins' jury selection appeal in her murder trial has been rejected by the Utah Supreme Court.

Kouri Richins jury selection appeal rejected by Utah Supreme Court

Kouri Richins' jury selection appeal in her murder trial has been rejected by the Utah Supreme Court.

kutv.com

Updated Thu, February 20th 2025 at 10:12 PM

 

[arielilane]

A bit more info...

High court rejects jury selection appeal in Kouri Richins murder trial
2/19/2025

 

[arielilane]

For anyone interested, the juror questionnaire hearing continues tomorrow, Feb. 21.


Court Calendars - Utah Courts


Case Number 231500139

3:00 PM In Person Hearing
2/21/2025
THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT - SILVER SUMMIT DISTR (Hearing location is in PARK CITY - More Info)
District Court


STATE OF UTAH
vs.
KOURI DARDEN RICHINS

 

[neesaki]

What a show. JMO

 

[arielilane]

@LawCrimeNetwork


Author Kouri Richins, a mother of three, penned a grief-themed children's book following her husband's death. Facing trial soon for his alleged murder, her defense team has accused the lead detective of perjury. Law&Crime’s Jesse Weber
@jessecordweber reports.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1892688178911576325

 

[Niner]

Friday, February 21st:
*Juror Questionnaire Hearing [continued] (@ 9:30am MT) - UT - Eric Eugene Richins (39) poisoned with a lethal dose of fentanyl by wife on Mar. 3, 2022 in Kamas. - *Kouri Darden Richins (33/now 34) arrested (5/8/23) & charged (6/5/23) & arraigned (8/27/24) with 2nd degree aggravated murder & 3 counts of possession of drugs with intent to distribute. [These charges were dismissed on 3/25/24-see recharges]. Re-charged (3/25/24) with 2 counts of 1st degree criminal homicide aggravated murder (DV), 2 counts of 2nd degree distribution of a controlled substance [charges dismissed 11/12/24], 2 counts of 2nd degree mortgage fraud (Iron Bridge Financial & Boomerang Finance), 2 counts of 2nd degree insurance fraud & 2 counts of 3rd degree forgery. Plead not guilty (8/27/24). Held without bond. Bond denied (6/12/23). DA will not seek DP (8/18/23). 3rd Judicial District Court Summit County
*Civil case vs Katie Richins Benson. Property dispute.
Civil case [#221200316]: After Kouri failed to show evidence she complied with the agreement, Justice Court Judge Brendan McCullagh found Kouri guilty of the assault on 5/13/24.
Murder Trial set to begin on 4/28/25 with jury selection on 4/21/25. (Trial thru 5/22/25).
Third District court Judge Richard Mrazik presiding. Prosecutors Patricia Cassell & Deputy Salt Lake County attorney Brad Bloodworth & Defense attorneys Kathy Nester & Wendy Lewis.
Case & court info from 6/5/23 thru 12/12/24 reference post #391 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ted-death-last-year-may-2023-3.711978/page-20
1/23/25 Update: The state would like to admit multiple exhibits for this hearing only. First witness is Detective Maynard. Witness #2 Detective [Deputy] Woody. Attorney Nester is saying that they plan to challenge the sixth amendment rights later today based on O'Driscoll's interview of Kouri when her attorney said not to question her. Prosecution argues there was no judicial case happening at that point, so 6th amendment is not relevant. 3rd Witness on the stand was Lead Crime Scene Investigator [Summit County Sheriff] Gibson. 4th witness Detective O’Driscoll. 5th witness was Mr. Benson, Brother-in-law of Kouri (the husband of Eric’s sister, Katie Richins-Benson.) The state has no further arguments on the first motion to suppress. Sidebar called. Moving into motion to suppress the "Walk the Dog" letter found in Kouri's jail cell. 6th witness was Corrections Sergeant Braxton Ray-Barrett. He participated in the search of the cell after a medical episode she had. Videos of search being played. 7th witness was Sergeant Thomas who is the administrative sergeant of the jail. He was also involved in the cell searches. The State is recalling Detective O'Driscoll to the stand. For more info reference posts 362 to 364, 366 to 380, page 19, thread #3. Next juror questionnaire hearing on 2/3/25 @ 9:30am.
2/3/25 Update: An original draft of the questionnaire the judge provided was rejected by the defense, who took issue with a specific question. One thing being discussed will be that the jury questions, rather than being yes or no, they will ask jurors to answer on a scale of 1 to 5. After about a half-hour, the proceedings were wrapped up for the day & continued on 2/21/25. Judge Mrazik on Monday said he hoped the State Supreme Court's decision on the matter will be issued before parties reconvene on Feb. 21 to resume the questionnaire process. Jury selection is scheduled to begin 4/24/25 & the trial will begin on 4/28/25.
2/19/25 Update: Summit County Attorney Margaret Olson & Deputy County Attorney Brad Bloodworth filed oppositions to the defense teams’ motion to suppress. Those documents are strongly worded & now Richins defense team is accusing Olson & Bloodworth of violating a section of the Utah Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys, calling for sanctions against the Summit County Attorney’s Office & for the prosecution’s filings to be struck from the record. Richins public defenders, Wendy Lewis, Kathy Nester & Alex Ramos appear to assert that Olson & her prosecution team have a problem with the defense doing their job & have made it personal. This stems from a recent disclosure by Olson to the defense. Richins defense team called into question the accuracy & possibly the truthfulness of lead detective Jeff O’Driscoll’s previous testimony on January 23, 2025, when he was asked about going into Richins home on April 14, 2023. On January 8, 2025, the defense filed a motion to suppress the statement that Det. O’Driscoll obtained from Richins during that interview at her home. The defense filing shows the grounds for the motion to suppress concerned whether Richins or her former attorney had asserted her right to an attorney prior to the interview & whether the April 14, 2023, interview violated her Fifth or Sixth Amendment right to an attorney. Richins attorneys also filed a motion to suppress a letter found in her jail cell called, ‘The Walk the Dog” letter for which Richins says is part of a fictional mystery book & asserted it is privileged attorney-client communication, but prosecutors claim that was never invoked by Richins’ previous defense attorney until the day she withdrew as her attorney. Richins defense team is asking Judge Mrazik to re-open the evidence in the Motion to Suppress by asking for a hearing to take further testimony as soon as possible.
2/20/25 Update: The Utah Supreme Court rejects jury selection appeal in Richins murder trial. They say jurors will only come from Summit County & will be selected via video conferencing. The Utah Supreme Court says it will issue a formal opinion at a later date. It issued its order as soon as possible because the murder trial is two months away.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“Jury questionnaires go out to prospective jurors ahead of any selection process,” says Lazaro. “They’re largely form driven in Utah and the basics behind them are to be able to, kind of, be able to assess people's biases.”

“They include things like: are you married? How many children do you have? Your education level, occupation, what kind of news you subscribe to,” says Lazaro.

Attorneys in Kouri Richins case resume process to find jury after Utah Supreme Court loss

The jury selection process for Kouri Richins' murder trial won’t be easy.

kjzz.com

 

[Seattle1]

Really, Skye Lazaro?

Don't you think there's a time and place when the former attorney who suddenly withdraws from a case due to an unclear, internal COF should also pass on doing commentary with local KUTV/2 on your former client's case....
JMO

Attorneys in Kouri Richins case resume process to find jury after Utah Supreme Court loss

The jury selection process for Kouri Richins' murder trial won’t be easy.

kutv.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[Niner]

Judge rejects claim Summit County detectives violated Kouri Richins’ rights

Defense attorneys still contend the Kamas mother wasn't and should have been read Miranda rights.

www.kpcw.org

Feb. 21, 2025

Defense attorneys for the Kamas mother of three had called into question Summit County Det. Jeff O’Driscoll’s truthfulness on the stand during a January hearing to decide what evidence a jury can hear.

They claimed he lied about not knowing Richins had retained an attorney when he interviewed her in April 2023.

But 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik said it doesn’t matter.
[.....]
The ruling settles one of numerous evidentiary battles still being fought ahead of the highly-anticipated April 2025 murder trial.
[.....]
Her defense is expected to make other challenges to law enforcement testimony. They’ve asked the court to order prosecutors to hand over statements pertaining to investigators’ credibility as witnesses.

Mrazik is waiting for more briefings from either side before ruling on that. And the defense is also expected to claim other missteps by investigators, including whether Richins was informed of her Miranda rights in some interviews.

He may take up some of those issues at the next court hearing March 4. That was initially when he planned to decide which evidence can be used in the trial. The judge pushed those hearings back to March 17 and 18.


Okay - from the article above - it says - in RED BOLD IS the next hearing - or did the Judge change that date to BLUE BOLD??? Confused... next hearing on 3/4 or 3/17?? What do you think?

Let's see - I have @arielilane as my "go-to" person for this case - what does the court site say? TIA!

 

[Seattle1]

Okay - from the article above - it says - in RED BOLD IS the next hearing - or did the Judge change that date to BLUE BOLD??? Confused... next hearing on 3/4 or 3/17?? What do you think?

Confirming Court for the State Felony (Case #231500139) is on the Calendar for 3/4, 3/17, and 3/18 at 9:30 AM per OP's quoted MSM.

KR's property rights cases (Case # 220500076 and 230500230) are also scheduled for 3/19 at 1:30 PM.

 

[Niner]

Confirming Court for the State Felony (Case #231500139) is on the Calendar for 3/4, 3/17, and 3/18 at 9:30 AM per OP's quoted MSM.

KR's property rights cases (Case # 220500076 and 230500230) are also scheduled for 3/19 at 1:30 PM.

View attachment 565697
View attachment 565698
View attachment 565699

Thanks a bunch!!

edited to add - I won't be posting about the property rights hearings. At least I can not find any notes that I have on those cases....

 

[Seattle1]

Thanks a bunch!!

edited to add - I won't be posting about the property rights hearings. At least I can not find any notes that I have on those cases....

KR filed civil suits claiming rights to ER's business assets and the marital home placed in trust. She claims she deserves money outlined in their prenuptial agreement. I doubt these property suits will be settled until her criminal case is over.

Kouri Richins files civil lawsuit against deceased husband’s estate

Kouri Richins, charged with the murder of her husband, has filed a civil lawsuit against his estate claiming she deserves money outlined in their prenuptial agreement.

www.abc4.com

 

[Justice101]

KR filed civil suits claiming rights to ER's business assets and the marital home placed in trust. She claims she deserves money outlined in their prenuptial agreement. I doubt these property suits will be settled until her criminal case is over.

Kouri Richins files civil lawsuit against deceased husband’s estate

Kouri Richins, charged with the murder of her husband, has filed a civil lawsuit against his estate claiming she deserves money outlined in their prenuptial agreement.

www.abc4.com

From what little I know about the case compared to many of you, I agree the civil lawsuit cannot be settled until the criminal one is done.

Even if she is found guilty, can she inherit her portion of the estate (the house) if she killed him? I know how that works for life insurance but how about regular tangible assets like this?

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Defense attorneys said O’Driscoll had applied for a search warrant for Richins' phone and computer the day before.

During the hearing O’Driscoll was asked if Richins was the primary suspect in the case when the affidavit was prepared. He responded no.

When asked if he thought Richins was a suspect. O’Driscoll said he “didn’t have definitive information that she was a suspect.”

Judge denies motion to reopen evidence in Kouri Richins murder case

A district judge denied a request by Kouri Richins' defense to reopen an evidentiary hearing regarding potential untruthfulness by the lead detective

kmyu.tv

 

[arielilane]

Old news, however, for the record:

@natalie_wadas


HAPPENING NOW: A hearing regarding the Kouri Richins trial is underway. Today, attorneys on both sides are discussing what the jury questionnaire should look like. We’ll be keeping a close eye on hearings regarding this case as we move closer to the trial in April.

BREAKING: The judge has DENIED a defense motion to reopen an evidentiary hearing regarding potential untruthfulness by lead Detective O’Driscoll. Defense attorneys motioned to suppress statements Richins made to O’Driscoll when he interviewed her at her home.


6:35 PM · Feb 21, 2025

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, March 4th:
*Motions Hearing (@ 9:30am MT) - UT - Eric Eugene Richins (39) poisoned with a lethal dose of fentanyl by wife on Mar. 3, 2022 in Kamas. - *Kouri Darden Richins (33/now 34) arrested (5/8/23) & charged (6/5/23) & arraigned (8/27/24) with 2nd degree aggravated murder & 3 counts of possession of drugs with intent to distribute. [These charges were dismissed on 3/25/24-see recharges]. Re-charged (3/25/24) with 2 counts of 1st degree criminal homicide aggravated murder (DV), 2 counts of 2nd degree distribution of a controlled substance [charges dismissed 11/12/24], 2 counts of 2nd degree mortgage fraud (Iron Bridge Financial & Boomerang Finance), 2 counts of 2nd degree insurance fraud & 2 counts of 3rd degree forgery. Plead not guilty (8/27/24). Held without bond. Bond denied (6/12/23). DA will not seek DP (8/18/23). 3rd Judicial District Court Summit County
*Civil case vs Katie Richins Benson. Property dispute.
Civil case [#221200316]: After Kouri failed to show evidence she complied with the agreement, Justice Court Judge Brendan McCullagh found Kouri guilty of the assault on 5/13/24.
Murder Trial set to begin on 4/28/25 with jury selection on 4/21/25. (Trial thru 5/22/25).
Third District court Judge Richard Mrazik presiding. Prosecutors Patricia Cassell & Deputy Salt Lake County attorney Brad Bloodworth & Defense attorneys Kathy Nester & Wendy Lewis.
Case & court info from 6/5/23 thru 2/19/25 reference post #409 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ted-death-last-year-may-2023-3.711978/page-21
2/20/25 Update: The Utah Supreme Court rejects jury selection appeal in Richins murder trial. They say jurors will only come from Summit County & will be selected via video conferencing. The Utah Supreme Court says it will issue a formal opinion at a later date. It issued its order as soon as possible because the murder trial is two months away. Next Juror questionnaire hearing on 2/21/25. Scott denied the request because the defense did not effectively highlight “extraordinary circumstances” to hold in-person jury selection, and having jurors travel from Salt Lake to Summit County would cause a “significant and unwarranted burden” for the potential jurors.
2/21/25 Update: Judge Richard Mrazik has denied a defense motion to reopen an evidentiary hearing regarding potential untruthfulness by lead Detective Jeff O'Driscoll. Defense attorneys motioned to suppress statements Richins made to two detectives in her murder case. In denying the motion, the judge said their knowledge of whether she did or did not have an attorney was not relevant, because judicial proceedings had not started at that point in the case. The decision allows the case to proceed, with additional hearings scheduled for March. Richins was in court Friday a part of a hearing over the selection of jurors for her trial, which was scheduled to begin in April. Her defense is expected to make other challenges to law enforcement testimony. They’ve asked the court to order prosecutors to hand over statements pertaining to investigators’ credibility as witnesses. Judge Mrazik is waiting for more briefings from either side before ruling on that. And the defense is also expected to claim other missteps by investigators, including whether Richins was informed of her Miranda rights in some interviews. He may take up some of those issues at the next court hearing on 3/4/25 @ 9:30am That was initially when he planned to decide which evidence can be used in the trial. The judge pushed those hearings back to 3/17/25 & 3/18/25 @ 9:30am.