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

[arielilane]

@KPCWRadio


Kouri Richins' defense team wants to move the murder trial to Salt Lake, but Summit County prosecutors don't think that's necessary

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The Summit County Attorney’s Office agrees that locals are more familiar with the case, but it says the court will still be able to find eight impartial jurors among a field of 32,000.

Prosecutors against moving Kouri Richins murder trial to Salt Lake County

A 3rd District judge may rule on the trial venue mere days before it's set to begin in Summit County.

www.kpcw.org

4/2/2025

Jury selection is scheduled to begin in less than three weeks.

 

[Niner]

Monday, April 7th:
*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 4/22/25. (Trial thru 5/22/25). There will be 8 jurors & 4 alternates.
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 3/4/25 reference post #434 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ted-death-last-year-may-2023-3.711978/page-22
3/17/25 Update: In the defense motion [filed Monday, 3/17/25]to move Richins’ trial, scheduled for April, attorneys pointed out multiple news articles about the case. In their argument that Richins could not get a fair trial in Summit County, defense attorneys quoted Malcolm X. In court documents, Richins’ attorneys cite Rule 29 of the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Sixth & Fourteenth Amendments & Article I section 12 of the Utah State Constitution as reasons to move the trial. The Court has not responded yet to motion. Motions hearing continues on 3/18/25.
3/18/25 Update: Third District Court documents filed by lawyers Wendy Lewis & Kathy Nester on Monday argue local, national & international news coverage about the case has “permeated Summit County” & impacts her right to a fair trial. They have asked the Judge to move the trial to Salt Lake County. The motion to change venue comes after the Utah Supreme Court rejected a joint request from prosecutors & the defense to conduct jury selection in person & expand the pool to Salt Lake County. Justices denied the request, requiring the two sides to conduct jury selection virtually amongst Summit County residents. See link for more info: https://www.parkrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/document-3.pdf Next motions hearing on 3/26/25 @ 2pm & then motions hearings on 4/7/25 & 4/8/25 @ 9:30am & motions hearing on 4/14/25 & 4/15/25 @ 9am.
3/26/25 Update: Next motions hearings on 4/7/25 & 4/8/25 @ 9:30am. 3/31/25 Update: Prosecutors responded March 31 re change of venue to Salt Lake County. The Summit County Attorney’s Office agrees that locals [Summit County] are more familiar with the case, but it says the court will still be able to find eight impartial jurors among a field of 32,000. But the way prosecutors interpret state law, they say that wouldn’t be allowed. And county attorneys say the telephone survey the defense team relied on to show the Salt Lake County jury pool would provide more impartial potential jurors “falls well below professional standards.” Utah requires eight jurors & four alternates. It’s one of only six states to seat fewer than 12 official jurors. Judge Mrazik will hear oral arguments later this month before deciding whether to move the trial out of Summit County.

 

[Niner]

Latest Crime and Trial News | Court TV

The latest trial coverage and crime news from Court TV, including breaking news, cold cases and major legal stories.

www.courttv.com

April 7, 2025
A judge denied a request from Kouri Richins' attorneys to move her murder trial to Salt Lake City after pervasive media coverage

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, April 8th:
*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 4/22/25. (Trial thru 5/22/25). There will be 8 jurors & 4 alternates.
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 3/18/25 reference post #442 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ted-death-last-year-may-2023-3.711978/page-23
3/26/25 Update: Next motions hearings on 4/7/25 & 4/8/25 @ 9:30am. 3/31/25 Update: Prosecutors responded March 31 re change of venue to Salt Lake County. The Summit County Attorney’s Office agrees that locals [Summit County] are more familiar with the case, but it says the court will still be able to find eight impartial jurors among a field of 32,000. But the way prosecutors interpret state law, they say that wouldn’t be allowed. And county attorneys say the telephone survey the defense team relied on to show the Salt Lake County jury pool would provide more impartial potential jurors “falls well below professional standards.” Utah requires eight jurors & four alternates. It’s one of only six states to seat fewer than 12 official jurors. Judge Mrazik will hear oral arguments later this month before deciding whether to move the trial out of Summit County.
4/7/25 Update: After hours of testimony & arguments, Judge Mrazik ruled that the difference in the potential pool of jurors between the two counties was negligible, due in part to their proximity. He also cited the logistical hurdles that would come with either transporting Richins to & from Salt Lake County over the course of the trial or having jurors commute from Salt Lake County to Summit County. Judge denies change of venue. The defense says they will appeal the decision. Motions hearing continues on Tuesday, 4/8/25.

 

[cocomod]

Richins trial on hold after judge denies motion to move case to Salt Lake County​

Richins trial on hold after judge denies motion to move case to Salt Lake County

The trial of Kouri Richins is on hold as the defense seeks an appeal to a decision denying their request to move the case from Summit County to Salt Lake County.

www.fox13now.com

As soon as the denial was handed down, the defense filed a motion to stay the proceedings as they seek an interlocutory appeal. Prosecutors did not object, stating they remain prepared to take the case to trial.

Indefinitely on hold waiting for appeal

 

[Niner]

Richins trial on hold after judge denies motion to move case to Salt Lake County​

Richins trial on hold after judge denies motion to move case to Salt Lake County

The trial of Kouri Richins is on hold as the defense seeks an appeal to a decision denying their request to move the case from Summit County to Salt Lake County.

www.fox13now.com

As soon as the denial was handed down, the defense filed a motion to stay the proceedings as they seek an interlocutory appeal. Prosecutors did not object, stating they remain prepared to take the case to trial.

Indefinitely on hold waiting for appeal

Oh geez.....

So - no more motions hearings on 4/14, 4/15, 4/18, jury selection 4/22 - ??!!

 

[cocomod]

Oh geez.....

So - no more motions hearings on 4/14, 4/15, 4/18, jury selection 4/22 - ??!!

Correct. Uugghhh! To be honest, here in Utah I think all of the state has heard of her case. I love the judge, so I hope it stays in Summit County

 

[Seattle1]

Correct. Uugghhh! To be honest, here in Utah I think all of the state has heard of her case. I love the judge, so I hope it stays in Summit County

I agree @cocomod. IMO, the defense could not ask for a better (fair and impartial) Judge to preside over this case!

 

[Seattle1]

We know that Judge Mrazik is on record as being sensitive to the defendant being incarcerated awaiting trial, and I believe has allowed KR three bond hearings...

When deputy Summit County attorney Brad Bloodworth asked Richins to formally waive her right to a speedy trial because she is asking for this delay, Lewis said she declined to waive the rights more than her motion does on its own.

Mrazik questioned whether she had discussed with Richins the "certainty" that she would remain in custody over the course of the appeal, saying he was not inclined to address custody again in the case.

Kouri Richins' trial delayed after judge denies request to move trial to Salt Lake County

A woman accused of fatally poisoning her husband will no longer face trial this month after her attorneys asked to put the case on hold while they appeal a denial of their motion to change the location of the trial.

www.ksl.com

 

[ilovewings]

I hope they show jurors the video of her looking down doiing her best to stifle her laughter, when the prosecutor was quoting what she told her friend about how she tried so, so hard to revive him. That right there would be enough for me to convict her.
She truly disgusts me.

I just saw this case on 48 hours-- Very interesting--- I think she is guilty from just watching this program but they really have to connect the dots in this case. The judge did not think that letter was evidence of witness tampering, but it sure looked like it was to me!!! should be an interesting trial

 

[Seattle1]

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[Niner]

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Well - at least she got her trial delayed....

@arielilane - any hearing updates yet or too soon to ask? TIA!

and edited to add - she just celebrated her 35th birthday 4 days ago...

 

[Justice101]

Well - at least she got her trial delayed....

@arielilane - any hearing updates yet or too soon to ask? TIA!

and edited to add - she just celebrated her 35th birthday 4 days ago...

Delayed doesn't really change things. She is still in jail.

 

[Cindizzi]

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Utah Supreme Court struck down two appeals filed by state prosecutors and defense attorneys, challenging jury selection and the jury pool in the murder trial for Kouri Richins.

The trial for Richins, the Kamas mother accused of using a lethal dose of fentanyl to kill her husband before writing a children’s book on grief, was previously scheduled to take place beginning next week on April 28. However, the trial was continued, and all pretrial hearings were postponed as the appeals were heard by the Utah Supreme Court.

On Thursday, April 24, the Utah Supreme Court unanimously rejected the requests from the state and defense attorneys, ruling that the jury pool would be limited to Summit County and selection could be done virtually.

[…]

https://www.abc4.com/news/utah-supreme-court-rejects-motions-in-kouri-richins-murder-trial/

 

[Niner]

@Cindizzi - I am getting ready to print up my sheets for May - was wondering if there is any movement - i.e. hearings scheduled for this case? TIA!

 

[Niner]

@arielilane or anyone with access - any hearings scheduled yet? TIA!

 

[Niner]

@arielilane - anything happening with this case? Any hearings coming up yet? TIA!

 

[Seattle1]

4/24/25

A new trial date for Richins, who has been held in custody since her arrest in May 2023, has not been set as of noon on Thursday, April 24.

The full opinion from the Utah Supreme Court can be found below:

https://www.abc4.com/news/utah-supreme-court-rejects-motions-in-kouri-richins-murder-trial/

@Niner -- search is limited to 30 days.

You searched for party name "RICHINS KOURI" within the next 30 days in in all locations.​

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Court Calendar Search Results - Utah Courts

 

[Niner]

@Seattle1 - any updates yet for a court date since you were the last person to give me an update? LOL! TIA!

 

[Niner]

Bumping up a bit - @Seattle1 - since I can not access the court links - I am going to bother you again - to see if any hearing dates are coming up! TIA!