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

[Seattle1]

Judge blocks domestic violence expert, closes next hearing in Kouri Richins case

A judge barred a domestic violence expert in the Kouri Richins case and closed day two of evidentiary hearings to the public.

www.courttv.com

 

[Seattle1]

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.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, January 8th:
*Evidentiary Hearing (Day 2 of 2) (@ 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 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). Bond denied (11/18/25). DA will not seek DP (8/18/23).
*Charged (6/27/25) with 5 counts of mortgage fraud, 5 counts of forgery, 7 counts of issuing a bad check, 7 counts of money laundering, 1 count of communications fraud & 1 count of a pattern of unlawful activity. 3rd Judicial District Court Summit County
Jury selection set to begin on 2/10/26 [thru 2/13 & 2/17 thru 2/18/26]. Jury will consist of 8 jurors & 4 alternates.
Murder Trial set to begin on 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 & Alex Ramos.
Case & court info from 6/5/23 thru 11/18/25 reference post #548 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ted-death-last-year-may-2023-3.711978/page-28
12/31/25 Update: Hybrid Virtual/In Person Hearing on 1/2/26 @ 3pm.
1/2/26 Update: Next evidentiary hearings on 1/7/26 & 1/8/26 @ 9:30am.
1/7/26 Update: Defense argued about the State's every expert testimony to be thrown out. Judge said 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. 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. Evidentiary hearing continues on 1/8/26 @ 9:30am.

 

[Niner]

So - is jury selection next? Or?? Another hearing before ? TIA!

 

[arielilane]

INFO about the closed hearing in UT v. Kouri Richins this week - or at least the parts made public: The "Walk the Dog" letter was granted partially, but unclear what portion can be used. Judge will rule at trial whether evidence of Eric Richins' drug use in high school can be shown. Evidence that Eric may have abused Kouri will not be allowed.

READ MORE HERE: https://ksl.com/article/51430654/judge-decides-whether-to-allow-evidence-of-abuse-drugs-and-kouri-richins-writings-in-her-trial
https://x.com/cathyrusson/status/2009635818525380859/photo/1

https://twitter.com/x/status/2009635818525380859

 

[arielilane]

What a wonderful and smart judge.

The judge ordered that hearing closed to the public, citing concerns that potentially inadmissible material could be exposed to future jurors.

Judge limits testimony of FBI profiler in Kouri Richins murder trial

A judge on Wednesday began deciding which expert witnesses will be allowed to testify at the upcoming murder trial of Kouri Richins, as attorneys argued over wh

kutv.com

 

[Niner]

from the article posted above ^^

Judge decides whether to allow evidence of abuse, drugs and Kouri Richins' writings in her trial

A judge made decisions on Thursday about whether jurors will hear about what is in Kouri Richins' notebook, a jail letter, evidence Eric Richins used drugs in high school and other details.

www.ksl.com

....
Court records indicate the judge will address any other motions about what can be brought into trial during a hearing on Feb. 2. The jury trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection on Feb. 10.

 

[arielilane]

So - is jury selection next? Or?? Another hearing before ? TIA!

Of course this is subject to change:

Feb. 10: Next court date is scheduled jury selection.
Feb. 23: Trial is set to begin.


Edit to include Jan. 8, 2026 article posted by @Niner

Court records indicate the judge will address any other motions about what can be brought into trial during a hearing on Feb. 2.

 

[arielilane]

Judge considers which expert witnesses to allow in Kouri Richins' murder trial

Third District Judge Richard Mrazik is making rulings on multiple motions this week in preparation for the jury trial for Kouri Richins, a Kamas mother accused of killing her husband by giving him fentanyl.

www.ksl.com

1/7/2026

 

[arielilane]

LOL, I already had Feb 2 date logged in my calendar. Reading is fundamental

 

[Seattle1]

dbm

 

[Seattle1]

So - is jury selection next? Or?? Another hearing before ? TIA!

See post #582 for court schedule. For some reason, quote feature not working.

 

[Niner]

See post #582 for court schedule. For some reason, quote feature not working.

I saw that - thought there might be another hearing before the Feb. jury selection. She must have more motions??

Never mind - just looked at my notes - Motions hearing on 2/2.

 

[Seattle1]

I saw that - thought there might be another hearing before the Feb. jury selection. She must have more motions??

Never mind - just looked at my notes - Motions hearing on 2/2.

Here you go --from the Court Calendar as of 1/11/26:

9:00 AM In Person Hearing
2/2/2026
THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT - SILVER SUMMIT DISTR (Hearing location is in PARK CITY - More Info)
District Court


STATE OF UTAH
vs.
KOURI DARDEN RICHINS
RICHARD MRAZIK
COURTROOM B
STRIKES FOR CAUSE/ ARGUMENT

Case # 231500139
State Felony
View Case Details

1:00 PM In Person Hearing
2/9/2026
THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT - SILVER SUMMIT DISTR (Hearing location is in PARK CITY - More Info)
District Court


STATE OF UTAH
vs.
KOURI DARDEN RICHINS
RICHARD MRAZIK
COURTROOM B
JURY INSTRUCTIONS

Case # 231500139
State Felony
View Case Details


https://legacy.utcourts.gov/cal/search.php?t=p&c=&p=RICHINS+KOURI&j=&f=&l=&b=&d=all&loc=all

 

[Niner]

Here you go --from the Court Calendar as of 1/11/26:

9:00 AM In Person Hearing
2/2/2026
THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT - SILVER SUMMIT DISTR (Hearing location is in PARK CITY - More Info)
District Court


STATE OF UTAH
vs.
KOURI DARDEN RICHINS
RICHARD MRAZIK
COURTROOM B
STRIKES FOR CAUSE/ ARGUMENT

Case # 231500139
State Felony
View Case Details

1:00 PM In Person Hearing
2/9/2026
THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT - SILVER SUMMIT DISTR (Hearing location is in PARK CITY - More Info)
District Court


STATE OF UTAH
vs.
KOURI DARDEN RICHINS
RICHARD MRAZIK
COURTROOM B
JURY INSTRUCTIONS

Case # 231500139
State Felony
View Case Details


https://legacy.utcourts.gov/cal/search.php?t=p&c=&p=RICHINS+KOURI&j=&f=&l=&b=&d=all&loc=all

Thanks!

 

[Seattle1]

1/14/26

Defense Says Kouri Richins’ Mom Needs a Lawyer — Judge Seals State's Response​

 

[cujenn81]

1/14/26

Defense Says Kouri Richins’ Mom Needs a Lawyer — Judge Seals State's Response​

I’m sure this is about the walk the dog letter. The State plans to call KR’s mom to testify, so the defense is likely worried that her mom might implicate herself or be at risk of committing perjury. Tampering with evidence and possible conspiracy charges come to mind. But that’s just me.

 

[Seattle1]

I’m sure this is about the walk the dog letter. The State plans to call KR’s mom to testify, so the defense is likely worried that her mom might implicate herself or be at risk of committing perjury. Tampering with evidence and possible conspiracy charges come to mind. But that’s just me.

The defense wanted the State to provide her mother an attorney -- most likely a veiled threat " if momma doesn't have an attorney, she's going to plead the 5th." I don't think anybody took the bait since I understand that the defense has withdrawn the Motion. IMO, she likely secured counsel on her own -- wise decision! Just because the State didn't pursue Mrs. Darden doesn't mean she has clean hands! JMO

 

[cujenn81]

The defense wanted the State to provide her mother an attorney -- most likely a veiled threat " if momma doesn't have an attorney, she's going to plead the 5th." I don't think anybody took the bait since I understand that the defense has withdrawn the Motion. IMO, she likely secured counsel on her own -- wise decision! Just because the State didn't pursue Mrs. Darden doesn't mean she has clean hands! JMO

I totally agree. I know jurors aren’t supposed to infer that pleading the 5th is an admission of guilt or a validation of the question, so to speak (Q: Is it true that your daughter sent you a coded letter asking you to destroy evidence? A: I plead the fifth). But I personally believe that most jurors will view it as an admission of guilt anyway. Lucky for those of us who want justice for Eric.