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

[MBartok100]

Kouri Richins’ criminal case will return to Summit County’s Third District Court after the Utah Supreme Court denied to hear an appeal filed by her defense team.

Kouri Richins' criminal trial to proceed in Summit County after high court denies appeal - Park Record

The trial, delayed since April, is set to resume as prosecutors and defense attorneys coordinate a new schedule.

www.parkrecord.com

 

[Seattle1]

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! View attachment 592943

6/6/25

Utah Supreme Court Justices denied the appeal on Friday, meaning the case will be remitted back to the Third District Court. The Summit County Attorney’s Office is expected to file a request for a scheduling conference in light of the decision. (See parkrecord.com MSM link).
________________

Nothing is scheduled yet per the docket for any location. Also, Judge Mrazik would have to lift the stay he previously issued before anything can continue in his court.

 

[Seattle1]

Kouri Richins murder case to resume since Utah Supreme Court won't hear second appeal

The Kamas mother of three's defense attorneys wanted Salt Lake jurors, but the trial will happen locally, with a Summit County jury.

www.kpcw.org

6/6/25

June 6, it reaffirmed that jurors will only come from Summit County, and the murder trial will happen at the Silver Summit Justice Center outside Park City.

The four-week trial had been set for May, but Mrazik delayed the proceedings indefinitely to allow for an appeal.

 

[Seattle1]

As of this date, June 9, nothing scheduled in Summit County for the next 30 days:

You searched for party name "RICHINS KOURI" within the next 30 days in THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT - SILVER SUMMIT DISTR.​

Sort By: Judge Name | Case Name | Date/Time

No results found. Try searching again.

Court Calendars - Utah Courts

 

[Niner]

Thanks a bunch @Seattle1 - for checking it out! Will be back in 30 days....

 

[arielilane]

The higher court denied the appeal, allowing Kouri’s case to move forward. Now, her trial is scheduled to begin on February 23, with jury selection starting on February 10.

Trial date set for Kouri Richins, author accused of murdering husband

After years of incarceration and legal wrangling, Kouri Richins is scheduled to stand trial for murdering her husband in Feb. 2026.

www.courttv.com

June 16, 2025

 

[arielilane]

Kouri Richins’ trial is now scheduled for five weeks, from Feb. 23 to March 26, 2026.

Kouri Richins murder trial reset for 2026, extended to 5 weeks

The Kamas mother of three will have been in jail almost three years by the time a jury hears her case.

www.kpcw.org

6.13.2025

 

[Niner]

Kouri Richins’ trial is now scheduled for five weeks, from Feb. 23 to March 26, 2026.

Kouri Richins murder trial reset for 2026, extended to 5 weeks

The Kamas mother of three will have been in jail almost three years by the time a jury hears her case.

www.kpcw.org

6.13.2025

per article:
She’ll be in court next on Aug. 1 for a hearing to restart trial preparations. That will include preparing for jury selection and deciding which evidence will be admissible at trial.

 

[Niner]

So - just to keep my notes up to date - she had a hearing. And I can shorten this up a bit.

Friday, June 13th:
*Status Hearing (@ am 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 35) 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 was set to begin on 4/28/25 with jury selection on 4/22/25 was delayed due to appeal, which was denied on 4/24/25.
Jury Selection set to begin on 2/10/26 thru 2/18/26. Jury will consist of 8 jurors & 4 alternates.
New trial date: 2/23/26 thru 3/26/26.
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 3/31/25 reference post #444 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ted-death-last-year-may-2023-3.711978/page-23
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.
4/8/25 Update: Richins' trial 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. Monday's hearing paid special attention to a pair of "case awareness" surveys conducted in both Summit & Salt Lake counties. One survey was conducted on behalf of the state's prosecutors, while the second survey was commissioned by the attorneys representing Richins. After hours of testimony & arguments, the judge ruled the difference in the potential pool of jurors between the two counties was negligible, due in part to how close they are to one another. 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. 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. Judge Mrazik did take note that Richins is still in jail & her attorneys said they’d ask the judge to consider granting her bail for a third time. He said he’s “disinclined” to do so after denying her twice. Motions hearing on 4/14/25 @ 9am was CANCELLED.
4/24/25 Update: Utah Supreme Court denies Richins' request to expand the jury pool. The Utah Supreme Court struck down two appeals filed by state prosecutors & defense attorneys, challenging jury selection & the jury pool in the murder trial for Richins. The trial for Richins was previously scheduled to take place beginning next week on April 28. However, the trial was continued & 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 & defense attorneys, ruling that the jury pool would be limited to Summit County & selection could be done virtually. 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.
6/6/25 Update: Judge Mrazik would lift the stay that pauses the trial once the case is returned to the Third District Court. Then, prosecutors & defense attorneys would meet to discuss when the trial could resume. There are several factors to consider, including jury selection, which was scheduled to take about a week & witness availability. The two sides created a case-specific questionnaire that was distributed to more than 1,100 prospective jurors & planned to interview about 180 people. Ultimately, eight jurors & four alternates would be selected. However, new jury summons orders will be sent out & a different questionnaire will be distributed to eligible Summit County residents. Judge Mrazik in April was confident there would be “an ample pool” of neutral, impartial people in Summit County to ensure a fair trial.
6/13/25 Update: Hearing on 6/13/25. The higher court denied the appeal, allowing Kouri’s case to move forward. Now, her trial is scheduled to begin on 2/23/26 through 3/26/26, with jury selection starting 2/10/26. Both Kouri’s defense & prosecutors had asked Judge Mrazik to expand the jury pool & conduct in-person questioning of the jurors, but Mrazik denied the request & the appeals court upheld his ruling. The afternoon of June 13, Richins’ defense attorneys told Mrazik they’d like six days to select jurors. The judge says his team will send questionnaires to 2,000 Summit County residents & 240 can be called in for questioning. The juror questioning, which attorneys call “voir dire,” will be Feb. 10 through Feb. 13, plus Feb. 17 & Feb. 18. Utah requires a panel of eight, with four alternate jurors. Her attorneys say she may or may not take the stand in her own defense. She’ll be in court next on 8/1/25 for a hearing to restart trial preparations. That will include preparing for jury selection & deciding which evidence will be admissible at trial.

 

[arielilane]

So - just to keep my notes up to date - she had a hearing. And I can shorten this up a bit.

rsbm

Yes, on June 13, 2025, but havent found live stream of it yet. Maybe someone else has better search efforts than me.

@cathyrusson


The judge has never allowed live streaming in Kouri Richins. We will upload the hearing after.

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[arielilane]

In a pretrial conference on Friday, Judge Richard Mrazik, attorneys for the prosecution, and attorneys for Richins met to set a new jury trial date. Judge Mrazik confirmed that the stay on the trial has been lifted.

https://www.abc4.com/richins/kouri-richins-new-trial-date-set-for-kamas-mom-accused-of-killing-her-husband/

The jury selection has been set for Feb. 10 – 13, and 17 – 18 in 2026. The jury trial will commence Feb. 23 and run for five weeks, Monday through Thursday, until March 26, 2026.

 

[arielilane]

Same article linked above

During the pretrial conference, Ritchins’ attorneys Kathy Nester and Wendy Lewis discussed their thoughts on the timeframe that would be needed for a trial. They asked for two weeks of jury selection and five weeks of trial.

https://www.abc4.com/richins/kouri-richins-new-trial-date-set-for-kamas-mom-accused-of-killing-her-husband/

Judge Mrazik agreed to having a longer jury selection process, and giving them five days over two weeks to complete jury selection. He said that they could interview 20 jurors in the morning and 20 in the afternoon each day.

 

[Cindizzi]

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[Justice101]

Been sort of on the outside of this case, can someone please add to or subtract from the list of evidence against her:

1) Testimony that she bought Fentanyl.
2) Evidence that glass drink was served in was thrown our or dish washed?
3) Any text messages?
4) Evidence of fraud in getting money from him and his life insurance?


Is there anything else of significance?

 

[tlcya]

IMO as with any case, much is circumstantial but it is very compelling in this case:

He told family members, 'If I die, you need to take a look at her because I think she's trying to kill me,'"

He was so concerned about it that he changed his estate plan and created a trust that Kouri could never access or control, to benefit his children, naming his sister as Trustee.

She forged his name to take out a million dollar life insurance policy on him at a time when her house flipping business was tanking.

She was also stealing from his personal and business accounts

She had signed away rights to his business assets under a premarital agreement UNLESS he died while they were still married.

Her google searches contained things like:
Can deleted texts messages be retrieved from an Iphone?
Can FBI find deleted messages?
What is a lethal dose of Fentanyl?

Then there was the jail cell search during which a letter, seemingly addressed to her mother, coaches Kouri's mother on what to tell Kouri's brother to tell authorities - that Eric was a fentanyl addict who was always seeking that drug.

MOO

 

[SteveS]

Been sort of on the outside of this case, can someone please add to or subtract from the list of evidence against her:

1) Testimony that she bought Fentanyl.
2) Evidence that glass drink was served in was thrown our or dish washed?
3) Any text messages?
4) Evidence of fraud in getting money from him and his life insurance?


Is there anything else of significance?

It's been quite a while since this case was active, but there is a TON of evidence. IIRC...
1 She said she was the only one in the house with him that night.
2 He was fentanyled, and it was found to have been done by liquid ingestion.
3 She says she mixed the drinks, drank with him, gave him his drink and says she went to bed.
4 She says she went to check on him and found him dead ... and the quantity of fentanyl would have killed him quickly ... but while she claims she called 911 and was trying to resuscitate him with no idea what was wrong, when others arrived there was no drinking glass in sight ...
5 There was an earlier attempt on his life that he survived, using a sandwich
6 He believed she was trying to kill him, telling family that if he was found dead, she would have done it
7 She bought fentanyl twice, and the dealer and the go-between are both testifying about her actions and words (she specifically said she wanted the stuff "that killed Michael Jackson"), and the timing aligns with the two tries to kill him (with the 2nd being successful) -- as well as testimony that she wanted to make sure she had enough the 2nd time to be sure to kill him
8 She was in dire financial straits, only kept afloat by siphoning money from his assets without his knowledge (fraudulently)
9 The marriage was in trouble, and she was going to be cut off financially if/when it ended, and she told others she would be better off if he was dead
10 She was having an affair and making plans with a future with that guy (which apparently he is testifying to) and the only way she could have money come with her would be via a dead ex,
11 She was UNAWARE how he had set up barriers to keep her from his money, assets, company until she tried to grab them after his death
12 She tried to take out LARGE life policies on his death, without him knowing she had done so
13 Her actions after his death were very sus, where her concern was getting at his money immediately with him gone and unable to stand in the way (but she was found out and stopped)
14 Google searches by her before and after his death on how to kill using fentanyl, how long it stays in the system, on if life insurance pays if death is found to be by poison, on luxury prisons if you are rich and convicted, and so on
15 Evidence in her own writing of trying to alter evidence and tamper with witnesses (in which she concocted a fictitious set of family history "facts" for her family to testify to, to make her look innocent and blame Eric for his death)

That's my list as I best remember it. If you want a longer, more detailed, more reliable set of facts, the state filed in court a 42-page explanation of why she's guilty, and it is outlined precisely with a point-by-point cover list of the particulars. https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24661968/kouri-richins-brief.pdf

 

[Justice101]

It's been quite a while since this case was active, but there is a TON of evidence. IIRC...
1 She said she was the only one in the house with him that night.
2 He was fentanyled, and it was found to have been done by liquid ingestion.
3 She says she mixed the drinks, drank with him, gave him his drink and says she went to bed.
4 She says she went to check on him and found him dead ... and the quantity of fentanyl would have killed him quickly ... but while she claims she called 911 and was trying to resuscitate him with no idea what was wrong, when others arrived there was no drinking glass in sight ...
5 There was an earlier attempt on his life that he survived, using a sandwich
6 He believed she was trying to kill him, telling family that if he was found dead, she would have done it
7 She bought fentanyl twice, and the dealer and the go-between are both testifying about her actions and words (she specifically said she wanted the stuff "that killed Michael Jackson"), and the timing aligns with the two tries to kill him (with the 2nd being successful) -- as well as testimony that she wanted to make sure she had enough the 2nd time to be sure to kill him
8 She was in dire financial straits, only kept afloat by siphoning money from his assets without his knowledge (fraudulently)
9 The marriage was in trouble, and she was going to be cut off financially if/when it ended, and she told others she would be better off if he was dead
10 She was having an affair and making plans with a future with that guy (which apparently he is testifying to) and the only way she could have money come with her would be via a dead ex,
11 She was UNAWARE how he had set up barriers to keep her from his money, assets, company until she tried to grab them after his death
12 She tried to take out LARGE life policies on his death, without him knowing she had done so
13 Her actions after his death were very sus, where her concern was getting at his money immediately with him gone and unable to stand in the way (but she was found out and stopped)
14 Google searches by her before and after his death on how to kill using fentanyl, how long it stays in the system, on if life insurance pays if death is found to be by poison, on luxury prisons if you are rich and convicted, and so on
15 Evidence in her own writing of trying to alter evidence and tamper with witnesses (in which she concocted a fictitious set of family history "facts" for her family to testify to, to make her look innocent and blame Eric for his death)

That's my list as I best remember it. If you want a longer, more detailed, more reliable set of facts, the state filed in court a 42-page explanation of why she's guilty, and it is outlined precisely with a point-by-point cover list of the particulars. https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24661968/kouri-richins-brief.pdf

Thank both of you! Tremendous summary. I really appreciate it.

 

[Cindizzi]

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SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — The Kamas mother who is accused of killing her husband and writing a children’s book about grief is facing new charges involving the fraud that investigators believe led to the alleged homicide.

Kouri Darden Richins, 35, is facing 26 new felony charges, including five counts of mortgage fraud, five counts of forgery, seven counts of issuing a bad check, seven counts of money laundering, one count of communications fraud, and one count of a pattern of unlawful activity.

She had already been facing two counts of mortgage fraud, two counts of insurance fraud, and three counts of forgery as part of her murder case.

[…]

https://www.abc4.com/richins/kouri-richins-fraud-laundering-charges/

 

[Megnut]

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SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — The Kamas mother who is accused of killing her husband and writing a children’s book about grief is facing new charges involving the fraud that investigators believe led to the alleged homicide.

Kouri Darden Richins, 35, is facing 26 new felony charges, including five counts of mortgage fraud, five counts of forgery, seven counts of issuing a bad check, seven counts of money laundering, one count of communications fraud, and one count of a pattern of unlawful activity.

She had already been facing two counts of mortgage fraud, two counts of insurance fraud, and three counts of forgery as part of her murder case.

[…]

https://www.abc4.com/richins/kouri-richins-fraud-laundering-charges/

Gee, I wonder what her motive for murder was. Running her own little pyramid-of-cards scheme, she needed capital to keep the house standing, and she needed not to be found out. Two motives.

 JMO

 

[casesensitive]

Gee, I wonder what her motive for murder was. Running her own little pyramid-of-cards scheme, she needed capital to keep the house standing, and she needed not to be found out. Two motives.

 JMO

I think she perfectly fits the descripion of a psychopath. Every crime that she has done fits that description. Her writing the children's book shows her lack of remorse. She needed to get rid of the person that could have exposed her. That is a classic psychopath.