• #721

COURTROOM INSIDER | What to expect with the Kouri Richins trial with prosecutor Rachel Smith​

 
  • #722
  • #723
  • #724
  • #725
Oh, my.

Judge and his radio voice --

I won't tire of that.
 
  • #726
@NateNewsNow


DAY 1 of Richins' trial. Richins' attorneys issued the following statement last week:

"Kouri has waited nearly three years for this moment: the opportunity to have the facts of this case heard by a jury, free from the prosecution's narrative that has dominated headlines since her arrest. Now the state must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. What the public has been told bears little resemblance to the truth. We welcome the courtroom, where evidence is bound by rules, not sensational coverage. Kouri is a mother who wants to go home to her children. We are confident this jury will make that possible."


10:36 AM · Feb 23, 2026


Prosecutors and defense attorney discusses the exclusionary rule concerning witnesses - whether some witnesses can/should remain in the courtroom versus others. Judge Richard Mrazik says court will take a short break after opening statements to get it sorted out.


Summit County Dep. Attorney Brad Bloodworth discussing housekeeping items concerning exhibits. State objects to two photos that the defense hopes to admit. Judge says the photos are consistent with the other evidence the defense has. Mrazik asks Bloodworth to "put a little more meat" on his objection. Bloodworth says the photos are of exotic animals that Eric hunted.


Defense attorney Kathryn Nester says the photos relate to the case. Mrazik says the photos are not prejudicial and will allow the photos.


Nester is the same attorney representing Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk.


Defense and prosecution debating over whether certain witnesses can say certain statements during their testimony. Defense attorney Wendy Lewis objects to some statements a witness the state plans to call may say.

Mrazik will allow the witnesses to make the statements. Defense says they are renewing their objection to a final slide. Court stands by its decision to deny the objection. Judge asks Bloodworth and Nester to turn on their portable mics. Jury will be brought in.

Judge says to all spectators, "Every single time the jury comes in or leaves, we all stand."

Jury is sworn in. Judge thanks jury for their patience. He gives instructions on how the trial will unfold and says more instructions will be given at the end of the trial.

Six men and six women are on the jury. Richins sits quietly wearing a white blouse and black suit jacket. Hair is pulled back. Judge reads the charges: Count 1 - aggravated murder. March 3-4, 2022, the defendant is accused of intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Eric Richins. Court 2 - attempted aggravated murder. Count 3 - insurance fraud. Count 4 - insurance fraud. Count 5 - Forgery.

Richins has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies committing the crime. Judge tells jury the prosecution must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. Until then, the defendant must be presumed not guilty. She does not have to testify, call witnesses or present evidence. Prosecution has the burden of proving defendant guilty.

Judge explains that lawyers will present evidence, but neither the lawyers or the judge decide the case outcome. The jury does. Jury must make their decision based on the law and evidence.

 
  • #727
This one's for you @Megnut ;)


@NateNewsNow


Opening statements and closing arguments are not evidence. Jurors are told not to make a decision on guilt or innocence until end of the trial. Sidenote Many people commenting online about Mrazik's deep voice. He could host a radio show! #richins


11:04 AM · Feb 23, 2026
 
  • #728
@NateNewsNow


Courtroom is packed. Judge continues to give instruction. He tells jury not to talk about the case during court recesses. He tells jurors not to speak with attorneys. "The goal is to avoid the impression that people are trying to influence you improperly." Judge tells jurors not to listen to any news reports or visit any locations related to the case.


11:06 AM · Feb 23, 2026
 
  • #729
Mrazik says jurors have caused problems in the past by looking up information on trials on their phones. He tells them they can not use electronic devices to conduct their own investigation on the trial or if they communicate with others about the trial. "Please don't Google the trial, counsel, etc. Don't post updates on social media." He tells them not to look up words they hear in the courtroom because something that simple could result in a mistrial.

The court does not have transcripts of trial testimony so jurors will have to rely on their memory during deliberations. They can take notes. We will now have opening statements. Summit County Deputy Attorney Brad Bloodworth will give the state's opening statement.

 
  • #730
  • #731
Bloodworth begins by showing a photo of the Richins' family. He shows a meme on the screen that Richins' boyfriend sent her that says, "Love you." Bloodworth says Richins made Eric a drink and later went to check on him. He was cold. Bloodworth says Richins pulled out her cell phone several times but didn't call 911 for a whole. Medics respond, they can't revive Eric, her husband, and he is pronounced dead. They think he has been dead a while, Bloodworth says.

Bloodworth says two weeks before Richins murdered Eric, she tried to kill him. And two weeks before that, she took out a life insurance policy on Eric. Defense objects. Judge calls attorneys up for sidebar.

 
  • #732
There will be a lot of evidence at the trial that all put together paints a very telling picture of what Kouri most likely did to her husband. But will there be any real concrete evidence that she actually did it? Or does there need to be any of that?

What is our opinion?

I guess the glass was never found, correct?
 
  • #733
@NateNewsNow


DAY 1 of Richins' trial. Richins' attorneys issued the following statement last week:

"Kouri has waited nearly three years for this moment: the opportunity to have the facts of this case heard by a jury, free from the prosecution's narrative that has dominated headlines since her arrest. Now the state must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. What the public has been told bears little resemblance to the truth. We welcome the courtroom, where evidence is bound by rules, not sensational coverage. Kouri is a mother who wants to go home to her children. We are confident this jury will make that possible."


10:36 AM · Feb 23, 2026


Prosecutors and defense attorney discusses the exclusionary rule concerning witnesses - whether some witnesses can/should remain in the courtroom versus others. Judge Richard Mrazik says court will take a short break after opening statements to get it sorted out.


Summit County Dep. Attorney Brad Bloodworth discussing housekeeping items concerning exhibits. State objects to two photos that the defense hopes to admit. Judge says the photos are consistent with the other evidence the defense has. Mrazik asks Bloodworth to "put a little more meat" on his objection. Bloodworth says the photos are of exotic animals that Eric hunted.


Defense attorney Kathryn Nester says the photos relate to the case. Mrazik says the photos are not prejudicial and will allow the photos.


Nester is the same attorney representing Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk.


Defense and prosecution debating over whether certain witnesses can say certain statements during their testimony. Defense attorney Wendy Lewis objects to some statements a witness the state plans to call may say.

Mrazik will allow the witnesses to make the statements. Defense says they are renewing their objection to a final slide. Court stands by its decision to deny the objection. Judge asks Bloodworth and Nester to turn on their portable mics. Jury will be brought in.

Judge says to all spectators, "Every single time the jury comes in or leaves, we all stand."

Jury is sworn in. Judge thanks jury for their patience. He gives instructions on how the trial will unfold and says more instructions will be given at the end of the trial.

Six men and six women are on the jury. Richins sits quietly wearing a white blouse and black suit jacket. Hair is pulled back. Judge reads the charges: Count 1 - aggravated murder. March 3-4, 2022, the defendant is accused of intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Eric Richins. Court 2 - attempted aggravated murder. Count 3 - insurance fraud. Count 4 - insurance fraud. Count 5 - Forgery.

Richins has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies committing the crime. Judge tells jury the prosecution must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. Until then, the defendant must be presumed not guilty. She does not have to testify, call witnesses or present evidence. Prosecution has the burden of proving defendant guilty.

Judge explains that lawyers will present evidence, but neither the lawyers or the judge decide the case outcome. The jury does. Jury must make their decision based on the law and evidence.

Opening statements on Kouri Richins trial on Court TV channel now. Also live on YouTube: Court tv, Hidden True Crime, and East Idaho News YT channels
 
  • #734
@NateNewsNow


Richins owed over 4.5 million dollars to over 20 different lenders on the day Eric died, Bloodworth says. She kept taking out loans to pay for the other loans. She sold houses and her new credit was drying up. In the five months leading to his death, she overdrew 200 transactions totaling over $300,000, Bloodworth says. On the day Eric died, Kouri was scheduled to close on an unfinished mansion in Midway and would take on an additional $3.2 million in debt. The mansion "was just a facade," Bloodworth says.


11:16 AM · Feb 23, 2026
 
  • #735
Opening statements on Kouri Richins trial on Court TV channel now. Also live on YouTube: Court tv, Hidden True Crime, and East Idaho News YT channels
Correct. Also, Surviving The Survivor.
 
  • #736
@NateNewsNow


On the day Eric died, his inheritance was worth over $4 million, Bloodworth says. Kouri believed she would get it all. A prenuptial agreement would prevent her from getting the money if they divorced, but if he died while they were married, she would get it. "She needed Eric Richins money to get her fresh start at life. The evidence will prove that Kouri Richins was chronically unhappy in her marriage. She thought having children would make her happier, but it did not." Bloodworth says she consulted with a divorce attorney months before his death. Before Eric died, Kouri booked an all-inclusive trip to the Caribbean for Kouri and her boyfriend. They were to check in a month after Eric died. Three weeks before Eric died, Kouri texted Josh Grossman, her boyfriend, and said, "If I were divorced right now and asked you to marry me tomorrow, you would? I just want to lay on the couch and cuddle you. Watch a murder documentary and snuggle." Five days after the death, she texted, "Babe, I miss you. I want you today, every day. Not just sexually, but physically, mentally, every day when I wake up. I do want to be together. I do want you. Live our life out together. If he could just go away, and you could just be there, life would be so perfect. I love you idk what my deal is today. I'm sorry."


11:20 AM · Feb 23, 2026
 
  • #737
@NateNewsNow


Bloodworth reads another message Kouri sent to Josh Grossman about them being together. Sixteen days after Eric's death, she sent a link to a resort/spa to her boyfriend and said, "Are we there yet?" A month after Eric's death, she texted Josh, " I think I want you to be my husband one day."


11:21 AM · Feb 23, 2026
 
  • #738
This opening statement is austere.

I dread the circus the defense will be.

She has got to be one of the coldest, cold-hearted women around, and looks the part.

I'd like to know who in the courtroom she's staring down.

JMO
 
  • #739
Bloodworth now talking about Carmen Lauber, Kouri Richins' housecleaning. Kouri knew Carmen could get drugs, according to Bloodworth. Three days before Eric's death, Bloodworth says Lauber got pills for Kouri. On Valentine's Day, Kouri purchased a sandwich from the Mirror Lake Diner and left it for Eric. She then left Kamas and met up with Josh, her boyfriend, an hour away. At 11:33 that morning, Eric wrote, "I'm gonna lay down for a bit if I don't start getting better I'm gonna head to the hospital." Shortly thereafter, all activity on Eric's cell phone stopped for nearly 90 minutes "in the middle of a busy work day," Bloodworth says. Once activity resumed, Eric called his two best friends. They said he sounded scared, somber, confused, and bewildered. A few days after that, Kouri asked Carmen if she could get "something stronger." Carmen did purchase pills from the same street dealer at Maverik in Draper, Utah. She left those pills that Kouri Richins was finishing up a rehab on. Those pills contained fentanyl. Autopsy showed Eric died of fentanyl poisoning. Seven times the lethal amount in his blood and more in his stomach. "It was intentional, not accidental."

On June 18, 2022, Kouri texted her friend about Valentine's Day. "He never broke out in hives or used an epi pens! No hives, no epi pen!" Bloodworth says Kouri was an hour away with her boyfriend. On the morning of Eric's death, she wrote in a notebook that she entered the room at 3:20 a.m. She wrote that she nudged Eric and nothing happened. She grabbed her phone and called 911. "She first grabbed her phone at least at 3:06 a.m. and delayed calling 911 at least 15 minutes," Bloodworth says.


 
  • #740
Opening statements on Kouri Richins trial on Court TV channel now. Also live on YouTube: Court tv, Hidden True Crime, and East Idaho News YT channels

I am having real trouble hearing the trial..
Is anyone finding "the best site" for volume???

on Court TV channel now. Also live on YouTube: Court tv, Hidden True Crime, and East Idaho News YT channels
 

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