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

[Weki]

The judge went back and forth with the defense attorney and explained very clearly under what circumstances this evidence can come in and she just wouldn't let it go. Talk about arguing for the sake of arguing. I thought the judge's POV was more than reasonable. If the defense says this just doesn't make sense and this is not how homicides happen, then the state has the right to call this expert in rebuttal to say, "actually....that's not true"

If defense doesn't expect to make that kind of characterization and argument then they have nothing to worry about. But these attorneys are getting paid by the minute so....

JMO

 

[Weki]

Defense and judge are going toe to toe. He is GOOD!

Defense really doesn't like the State's expert.

JMO

I dislike this defense team. They just seem whiny to me. Or did she just want the last word. What he said was clear and reasonable and she just kept whining. Geez. This judge is efficient and direct - love it! JMO

Edited to add: @Megnut did you see how many times he had to tell her to focus?? LOL I love him! He's not playing around!

 

[Megnut]

I dislike this defense team. They just seem whiny to me. Or did she just want the last word. What he said was clear and reasonable and she just kept whining. Geez. This judge is efficient and direct - love it! JMO

He is magnificant. Whip smart. Handled this gloriously.

 

[Weki]

Defense atty - If that report comes in we're gonna ask for it to be redacted

Judge - Reports don't come in. They are hearsay.

Where did these defense attys get their law degrees???

Judge has to say the Serenity Prayer every 5 minutes dealing with these clowns.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

Defense atty - If that report comes in we're gonna ask for it to be redacted

Judge - Reports don't come in. They are hearsay.

Where did these defense attys get their law degrees???

Judge has to say the Serenity Prayer every 5 minutes dealing with these clowns.

JMO

The judge is basically coaching the Defense on how to handle expert testimony.

I guess we have to credit them for earning their keep. They are making arguments, however weak.

I like him. He knows the law and obviously has great respect for a jury to be responsible triers of fact.

 JMO

 

[Weki]

The judge is basically coaching the Defense on how to handle expert testimony.

I guess we have to credit them for earning their keep. They are making arguments, however weak.

I like him. He knows the law and obviously has great respect for a jury to be responsible triers of fact.

 JMO

Yeah the prosecutors basically don't have to earn their keep at this hearing because the judge has to take defense to school on every argument.

 

[Weki]

Uh oh state is in the hot seat now. Why is that other prosecutor who has been lead in many of the previous hearings sitting in the back today? Interesting.

 

[Megnut]

For those who can't watch today's hearing, let's me summarize:

Defense is asking to have every expert testimony thrown out (because it all implicates KR).

Good luck with that.

JMO

 

[Weki]

Judge saying there's no evidence to suggest DV before Eric Richins died. The state has no foundation to introduce DV expert testimony. The question is why did the victim stay when he thought she was trying to murder him. Judge thinks there's no evidence to show he knew/suspected.

State wants judge to reserve ruling on whether Eric knew or not.

Defense starts arguing and judge says "I know but respond to what the state said." LOL we.are.not.wasting.time Ma'am!

JMO

 

[arielilane]

10 min break

 

[Weki]

Defense finally makes a good argument. The state shouldn't get to bring in an expert to explain away inconsistent evidence or lack of evidence. She argued that this DV expert would essentially be testifying to Eric Richins state of mind. She referenced a rape case she had where the victim's statements were all inconsistent and the feds brought in an expert to say 'actually that's an appropriate repsonse to trauma so the fact that her statements were inconsistent actually means she's telling the truth."

 

[arielilane]

Court is in recess
Resumes 10 am MT tomorrow
Court will be closed to the public

 

[arielilane]

Kouri Richins hearing is over. They only discussed one expert today. Tomorrow's hearing is CLOSED to the public/media. There are a number of motions by both sides that were filed under seal. They are going to discuss those tomorrow. They said it involves evidence they are asking the judge not to allow in trial, and therefore, if the hearing were public, it would defeat the purpose of keeping that info from the potential jury Judge: To ensure the integrity of voir dire and juror pool. (I don't like this....at all).

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008998969687605627

 

[Megnut]

My favorite takeaway from today:

The judge saying to the Defense, putting her brakes on, "let's stay focused".

JMO

 

[Weki]

Anyone else get the feeling this case is gonna be kinda messy? The judge is fantastic and I think he will have full control of the courtroom. There will be no shenanigans with him. But I think the evidence could be tricky. I was surprised by the state's confusion when judge asked them about whether Eric knew she had tried to poison him with fentanyl prior to his death. And whether there was any evidence of DV. They had to confer! I would think they would know this like the back of their hands by now. It was an odd moment. Then they came back and said they want him to wait to see how the evidence develops at trial. The things they mentioned where pretty speculative, per the judge.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

Anyone else get the feeling this case is gonna be kinda messy? The judge is fantastic and I think he will have full control of the courtroom. There will be no shenanigans with him. But I think the evidence could be tricky. I was surprised by the state's confusion when judge asked them about whether Eric knew she had tried to poison him with fentanyl prior to his death. And whether there was any evidence of DV. They had to confer! I would think they would know this like the back of their hands by now. It was an odd moment. Then they came back and said they want him to wait to see how the evidence develops at trial. The things they mentioned where pretty speculative, per the judge.

JMO

I don't think they wanted to reveal their strategy, which limits how they answer that.

JMO

 

[Weki]

I don't think they wanted to reveal their strategy, which limits how they answer that.

JMO

They are required to share all the incriminating evidence they have with the defense. Defense attorney said she hasn't seen anything that shows DV or that the victim knew she had tried to previously poison him. Judge agreed with defense. State is not allowed to surprise defense at trial.

 

[Megnut]

They are required to share all the incriminating evidence they have with the defense. Defense attorney said she hasn't seen anything that shows DV or that the victim knew she had tried to previously poison him. Judge agreed with defense. State is not allowed to surprise defense at trial.

I'm not suggesting they withhold evidence. They don't however have to unveil their strategy.

JMO

 

[JosieMae]

The evidence is overwhelming. I'm not concerned about an acquittal.

 

[Seattle1]

1/7/26

LIVE: Kouri Richins Pre Trial Hearing​