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

[Seattle1]

Summit County prepares for jury selection in Kouri Richins trial - Park Record

About 250 Summit County residents will soon learn whether they’ve been summoned for jury selection in the murder trial of Kouri Richins, where just 12 will be seated for almost five weeks of proceedings. Third District Court Judge Richard Mrazik met with the prosecutors and defense attorneys on...

www.parkrecord.com

2/2/26

About 250 Summit County residents will soon learn whether they’ve been summoned for jury selection in the murder trial of Kouri Richins, where just 12 will be seated for almost five weeks of proceedings.

Third District Court Judge Richard Mrazik met with the prosecutors and defense attorneys on Monday morning to determine which potential jurors would not be summoned. The court’s jury team plans to notify residents this week if they need to appear. Jury selection is set to begin on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and could last six days. Witness testimony and evidence will be presented starting on Feb. 23.

[..]

Monday’s hearing focused on striking potential jurors “for cause,” such as bias or a close familiarity with a key person connected to the case. From the original pool of 449, about 250 people will be summoned.

Around 40 people will be called each day for voir dire in the morning and afternoon. They’ll be asked questions from a court-approved list. Ultimately, eight jurors and four alternates will be chosen.

 

[Seattle1]

Judge denies second request to move Kouri Richins trial to Salt Lake County

The jury trial for Kouri Richins is scheduled to begin with jury selection next week in Summit County. A judge on Monday denied a second request to move the trial to Salt Lake County.

www.ksl.com

2/2/26

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Judge Richard Mrazik on Monday declined a motion to move Kouri Richins' murder trial to Salt Lake County.
• Jury selection is scheduled to begin Feb. 10 with trial starting Feb. 23.
• Richins faces charges including murder and forgery related to her husband's death.

[..]

Richins will face a separate trial for two counts of mortgage fraud, a second-degree felony, and two additional counts of forgery, a third-degree felony.

 

[Seattle1]

2/2/26

KSL NEWS NOW: Critical step in Kouri Richins trial happening today​

Richins coverage begins at about minute marker 2:30

 

[Seattle1]

8:30 AM In Person Hearing
2/10/2026 - 2/18/2026
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
TRIAL-JURY SELECTION

Case # 231500139
State Felony
View Case Details

1:00 PM In Person Hearing
2/19/2026
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

8:30 AM In Person Hearing
2/23/2026 - 3/27/2026* (not to exceed date per Judge Mrazik*)
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
TRIAL-JURY

Case # 231500139
State Felony
View Case Details

Court Calendar Search Results - Utah Courts

@Niner

 

[Seattle1]

@arielilane - I have jury instructions hearing on 2/9/26 @ 1pm next - is that correct? Did not see any next in the article posted above. TIA if you can help me!

@Niner -- Per the court calendar, the jury instructions court date is set for 2/19 at 1pm (not 2/9/26). Hope this helps!

 

[Niner]

8:30 AM In Person Hearing
2/10/2026 - 2/18/2026
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
TRIAL-JURY SELECTION

Case # 231500139
State Felony
View Case Details

1:00 PM In Person Hearing
2/19/2026
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

8:30 AM In Person Hearing
2/23/2026 - 3/27/2026* (not to exceed date per Judge Mrazik*)
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
TRIAL-JURY

Case # 231500139
State Felony
View Case Details

Court Calendar Search Results - Utah Courts

@Niner

Thanks!!

 

[Niner]

@Niner -- Per the court calendar, the jury instructions court date is set for 2/19 at 1pm (not 2/9/26). Hope this helps!

I must have left the "1" [one} off in my notes! Close but no cigar! And again thanks for the dates above!

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, February 10th:
*Jury Selection set to begin (@ 8:30am 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 [2/11, 2/12, 2/13, 2/17 & 2/18/26]. Jury will consist of 8 jurors & 4 alternates.
Jury instructions hearing on 2/19/26 @ 1pm.
Murder Trial set to begin on 2/23/26 [thru 3/26/26].
Third District Court Summit County 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 1/8/26 reference post #617 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ted-death-last-year-may-2023-3.711978/page-31
1/25/26 Docket update: In a motion filed Sunday, Richins' attorney asked 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik to require prosecutors & their investigators to turn over all messages with witnesses in the case. Richins' attorneys allege the prosecution is threatening witnesses ahead of her trial, which begins next month. They want copies of all communications between witnesses & prosecutors. They supported the claim with screenshots of text messages from two witnesses: one who communicated with lead detective Jeff O'Driscoll & another who communicated with the prosecution team's lead investigator, Travis Hopper. The emails were provided to KSL by the defense. Next motions hearing on 2/2/26 @ 9am.
1/30/26 Docket update: Richins' attorneys filed Motion for a change of venue; to move trial out of Summit County due to the belief that she cannot receive a fair trial.
2/2/26 Update: After the defense argued that jury questionnaires narrowed the pool of jurors in Summit County even more than previously thought, the prosecution argued the opposite. The prosecution in Richins’ case argued that the jury questionnaires actually do show that they can find an impartial jury in Summit County & argued that the defense misrepresented their discussion with the judge during the original change of venue hearing. They added that the judge never said that they need to strike all jurors who have heard of the case. On Friday, Jan. 30, Richins’ attorneys made the second change of venue request, asking that her trial be moved from Summit County to Salt Lake County. They reiterated arguments from their previous request & cited recent responses to jury questionnaires. Her attorneys stated that she does not have “a reasonable likelihood” of a fair trial in Summit County. Judge Richard Mrazik denied Richins’ motion for a change of venue [from Summit County to Salt Lake County]. Monday’s hearing focused on striking potential jurors “for cause,” such as bias or a close familiarity with a key person connected to the case. From the original pool of 449, about 250 people will be summoned. Around 40 people will be called each day for voir dire in the morning & afternoon. They’ll be asked questions from a court-approved list. Ultimately, eight jurors & four alternates will be chosen. Next jury selection is scheduled to begin on 2/10/26 @ 8:30am. Jury instructions hearing on 2/19/26 @ 1pm. The trial will begin on 2/23/26 & will conclude by 3/26/26.

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021259594484343183

 

[arielilane]

RE: Kouri Richins Jury Selection

Judge Richard Mrazik ruled at 9 AM; media can observe jury selection unless a prospective juror asked for a closed session. If that’s the case, court will be cleared.

“We will see how this goes.” - Judge Mrazik

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021257312506110330

Judge Mrazik going thru the formalities of jury selection (potential trial length, charges, Richins’ plea). Prospective jurors are appearing virtually in the courtroom.

“No google searches, no social media or other internet searches or searches of any kind, please.” - Judge Mrazik

Now moving on to “follow up questioning” from the jury questionnaire.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021257978159264222

 

[JosieMae]

This sounds promising that the trial will be televised.

 

[arielilane]

Stepped out for a moment to share some additional social content (Instagram/Facebook).

Two prospective jurors have been questioned.

On to prospective juror number 3 who mentioned he’d seen a KPCW social media post about the case, specifically jury selection.

Cross-questioning is taking place on the answers to the questionnaire.

Juror 3 also mentioned liking true crime stories/media and find them “interesting”. He mentioned also wanting to be a detective at one point.

(I won’t update on all prospective jurors, but here’s a feel what’s going on).

Have any questions? Ask away!

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021267466668868064

 

[arielilane]

@brian_schnee


Kouri Richins is present here in the courtroom today. She’s been here since the beginning of the session. She stayed put in her chair and spoke with members of her team while others took a quick, 5 minute break.

Dressed in all black; pulled back hair bun, appears actively engaged in the jury selection process with her defense team. Shes very focused on the prospective jurors as they pop up “virtually” on the screens.
@KUTV2News


12:07 PM · Feb 10, 2026

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021269746310840526

 

[arielilane]

@brian_schnee


Questioning is done for the third juror.

Judge Mrazik thanks the prospective juror for their time and said, “Until then, Please forget about this case, please don’t talk about.”

Moving on to another juror, first question from judge is about seeing media coverage or talking about the case since filling out the jury questionnaire.
@KUTV2News


12:03 PM · Feb 10, 2026

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021268716982501405

 

[arielilane]

Jury selection begins for Kouri Richins, Utah woman accused of poisoning husband

After years of national attention, the Kouri Richins murder case is moving into its next phase.

wjla.com

2/10/2026

 

[arielilane]

Jury selection begins for Kouri Richins, grief book author accused of fatally poisoning her husband

Kouri Richins allegedly poisoned her husband Eric by putting a fatal dose of fentanyl in his drink, leading to his sudden death in 2022.

www.cbsnews.com

2/10/2026

 

[arielilane]

I had to pinch myself to believe this was actually happening...

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021255268655616437

 

[arielilane]

@livkellehernews


1700 jury surveys were returned - the prosecution and defense have called about 250 people to be questioned over the next five days.

The 23 page, 99 question survey asked specific granular questions about potential knowledge of the case, connections to anyone involved in the case, social media activity, news consumption and more.

The question that stood out most to me: what bumper stickers do you have on your car?


11:09 AM · Feb 10, 2026

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021255271520272848

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021272210137399653