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

[Megnut]

I have been focused on the riveting GA shooter dad trial today but I’m catching up on this trial now and I gotta say Bloodworth trying to enter 900 pages of Carmen’s interview as proof that she’s been consistent and in an attempt rehab her is the most desperate thing I’ve seen a prosecutor do. Even the judge was looking at him like “are you for real?”

The other short witness with the text exchange from the detective who was being extremely out of pocket with her, and the shifty drug dealer with amnesia all signal to me that the state’s case is in trouble at this stage. We’ll see if they can recover next week. Not a good first week imo.

I actually disagree. The difficulty is that these witnesses were themselves addicts, involved in the sale and use of narcotics and they make for questionable witnesses. Which is precisely why KR picked them. She knew they had access, she knew they'd likely do her bidding (money can mean more drugs, for active addicts). The State has to call these witnesses even though their credibility might be questionable --

KR didn't solicit drugs from pharmacists.

JMO

 

[Seni]

They really are like circus characters. They make the prosecution seem so boring.

Lewis has come close to challenging the judge a few times and starts every sentence with "So...", I find it irritating.

And quite boring in general from both sides, IMO slow, longwinded, redundant questions, not fully prepared. Which wastes time and patience.

Kind of a lack of the sharpness we like to see. Hope it livens up next week.

 

[Luna20]

I have been focused on the riveting GA shooter dad trial today but I’m catching up on this trial now and I gotta say Bloodworth trying to enter 900 pages of Carmen’s interview as proof that she’s been consistent and in an attempt rehab her is the most desperate thing I’ve seen a prosecutor do. Even the judge was looking at him like “are you for real?”

The other short witness with the text exchange from the detective who was being extremely out of pocket with her, and the shifty drug dealer with amnesia all signal to me that the state’s case is in trouble at this stage. We’ll see if they can recover next week. Not a good first week imo.

I agree, it was a dud day for the state. Where is the intensity? It’s as though they weren’t even there today. Also yesterday they should have objected to the defense more. Lewis was getting away with so much; its like she had free rein.

 

[Weki]

I actually disagree. The difficulty is that these witnesses were themselves addicts, involved in the sale and use of narcotics and they make for questionable witnesses. Which is precisely why KR picked them. She knew they had access, she knew they'd likely do her bidding (money can mean more drugs, for active addicts). The State has to call these witnesses even though their credibility might be questionable --

KR didn't solicit drugs from pharmacists.

JMO

I have seen very little critical analysis of the state’s case so far. There seems to be a strong anti-Kouri bias that is preventing people from looking at the case objectively. This parade of addicts and drug dealers this week was not compelling. Both sides have performed poorly. Bloodworth started out with a great opening statement but he was desperate today. Anyone who listened to his argument to enter 900 pages of hearsay and thought the state is doing a great job has lost all objectivity. His failure to object to the interview clip of Carmen yesterday is why he was desperate today. These lawyers read the public comments about the trial and I’m sure he saw what the reaction was.

I, of course, understand the state can only work with the witnesses the defendant chose. But the state has the burden here. They still have to convince a jury of 12 BARD. Remember the jury doesn’t hate Kouri like the true crime community.

JMO

 

[Luna20]

I actually disagree. The difficulty is that these witnesses were themselves addicts, involved in the sale and use of narcotics and they make for questionable witnesses. Which is precisely why KR picked them. She knew they had access, she knew they'd likely do her bidding (money can mean more drugs, for active addicts). The State has to call these witnesses even though their credibility might be questionable --

KR didn't solicit drugs from pharmacists.

JMO

I’m glad to hear this perspective. Today was seemed so blah to me.

I don't recall if they were married but they were for sure a couple. The implication was he was a potential source of drugs for KR. I wish we could have learned more, but with him dying, there was little the State could do.

I think they wanted a second example of KR looking for narcotics so it's not just CL's word.

I gather from what the witness did share, the handyman wanted nothing to do with KR's request.

JMO

She was in a position of power over him and she took advantage of that. Too bad that he didn’t have more clients to work for.

 

[Murder She Wrote]

I think, and could be wrong, but she is grieving, and having to her partner memorialized in this way, wasn't something she wanted to discuss, focus on. It would be rough to lose someone you love who is linked even loosely to this horrible story.

She did, in her defense, tell investigators that she would show uo for court, she just want to meet with them. The threat against her pet, really poor form. I wonder if they ever bothered to try to understand her reticence. Fear, grief. All while in recovery fun an alcohol addiction.

KR made a mess of a lot of lives IMO.

jmo

I feel bad for Anna, the handyman's partner. The detective was way out of line with her in the series of text messages they shared in court:

[Gray/incoming]: ...you can make your life easier and answer our calls so we can prep you on what you will be asked. Otherwise the next time I knock on your door I'll have a warrant and a catch pole for your dog.

[Blue/outgoing]: I don't need to be prepped. Give me the time and date and I will appear.

[Gray/incoming]: It's on your subpoena.

[Blue/outgoing]: Is there more an exact date or do I need to be there February 23 through March 28?

[Gray/incoming]: We could have discussed that if you ever replied but since you don't want to, you can just plan on showing up every day at 08:00.

 

[AnyNameIWish]

I feel bad for Anna, the handyman's partner. The detective was way out of line with her in the series of text messages they shared in court:

[Gray/incoming]: ...you can make your life easier and answer our calls so we can prep you on what you will be asked. Otherwise the next time I knock on your door I'll have a warrant and a catch pole for your dog.

[Blue/outgoing]: I don't need to be prepped. Give me the time and date and I will appear.

[Gray/incoming]: It's on your subpoena.

[Blue/outgoing]: Is there more an exact date or do I need to be there February 23 through March 28?

[Gray/incoming]: We could have discussed that if you ever replied but since you don't want to, you can just plan on showing up every day at 08:00.

I'd like to know the context and how the conversation became so escalated. This is just an excerpt from her text exchange with the investigator. I hope we see the context when we see ODriscoll on the stand.


She may be a grieving girlfriend and I'm sympathetic. However, her testimony is important to helping another family's grief as well. A bigger person would, in my opinion, figure this could give more meaning to her own grief- rather than making it about herself and literally sayjng 'I didn't do anything wrong' in the courtroom today. MOO

 

[Knox]

Lewis has come close to challenging the judge a few times and starts every sentence with "So...", I find it irritating.

And quite boring in general from both sides, IMO slow, longwinded, redundant questions, not fully prepared. Which wastes time and patience.

Kind of a lack of the sharpness we like to see. Hope it livens up next week.

Agree with each point you made, specially the ill-prepared part. Carmen's cross was very painful to listen too.

 

[Elisaa444]

I didn't know what to think as far as some of the questioning the state did with Robert C (Robbie).

I was in active addiction to Roxy's 30's in 2008-2010. At the time I had never heard of fentanyl, but at the same time I wasn't buying from different people on the streets. I had one hookup only during those three years. One thing my dealer always reminded me of is that he got the pills from someone else and at the end of the day he could not be sure what they were.

I believe I heard the state question RC as far as him not being sure what he got because he got it from different people, but again (I believe) Robbie said something to the effect of "No, it was Roxy's because I know the people I got it from and they had a prescription." I find that hard to believe coming from a dealer. I don't believe when he picks up the pills he examines the prescription bottle to make sure the pills are what they say they are and even if he did he could never be sure the pills came from the pharmacy since he was getting them from someone else.

I wish the state would have pressed him harder for the jury that at the end of the day he could not be sure what he was selling because he was getting it from other people. To me Robert C was not forthcoming. He seemed to want to distant himself very far from even a chance the pills could have been fentanyl - which I understand - they ended up killing Eric, but since he got immunity- I don't understand why he couldn't be very honest. I don't know. Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe he is being honest, but again I find that hard to believe because if (IMO) he was being honest and forthcoming he would have said: "When I get pills from other people I cannot be sure at the end of the day what they are. I'm relying on what they tell me they are. I don't know if they have messed with them or not." Something to that effect because that would be the truth. IMO.

I hope next week is better for the state. I believe or rather hope as the trial goes on - it will come together better.

Also, I hope they show by Eric's phone that there was NO evidence of Eric getting pills/ fentanyl on his own. Eric passed from an overdose of fentanyl and if Eric did not purchase it - someone did. So far, we have learned by testimony that Kouri Richins was seeking out and buying drugs (pills) illegally and shortly after her husband, Eric, passes from an overdose of fentanyl.....To me unless the defense can show me that Eric was getting fentanyl on his own then (so far) my only conclusion is he got it in his system via his wife, Kouri. (Edit to add: Yes, I know the defense does not have to prove anything. I'm just saying if they had some kind of proof that Eric was using pills and/or buying fentanyl - I am sure they would be thrilled to introduce that to the jury even though legally they don't have to prove anything.)

I guess that's why in Kouri's Walk the Dog Letter she wanted to try to connect Eric to getting drugs from Mexico because otherwise it points to her. The trial just started I believe the state will continue to pile on the evidence. I want Eric and his family to get justice.

(sorry so long)

JMO >

 

[scorpio24]

No matter what they did, these were not going to be the prosecution's strongest witnesses. They were essentially drug addicts/dealers and their stories had changed way too much. Even I could have impeached their credibility. But they knew they had to put them up there, and they got them out of the way early.

Today's folks were just small pieces of the puzzle. I am always a far bigger fan of the technology forensics. That doesn't lie.

Will the location data in the cell phones will put these two together exactly where and when Carmen said? It will also be interesting to see if hers puts her at the house in Midway, at Kouri's house on the 9th when she shrugged her shoulders, etc. There are ways to back up her story that do not involve the dealer.

I think today was laying the foundation for next week.

MOO

 

[AnyNameIWish]

This is a Screencap from Emily D Baker YouTube today, Day 5. The smug SMILE Kouri gave Robert Crosier and the camera when Crosier was like "Michael Jackson stuff? What?"... he himself was laughing in a way I found so disrespectful to this case, especially when he is an admitted DRUG DEALER. I'm sorry I have little patience for grown adults like him.

SMILING as if THAT somehow renders her not guilty???

Is Kouri completely insane or delulu?

 

[cujenn81]

Whatever came of KR's paramour?

Is he on the witness list?

According to the DM, he’s a transient who has been dodging the police and prosecutors for years.

Lover of 'Moscow Mule killer' has secret life in hiding

Kouri Richins - who went on trial this week for allegedly murdering husband Eric Richins with a poisoned cocktail in 2022 - also had a secret lover with whom she exchanged racy texts.

www.dailymail.co.uk

In the end, Grossmann only hung on for another eight months before being kicked to the curb by his former lover, booting him out of a condo she had an interest in Sarasota Springs, Utah.

Iraq war veteran Grossmann has been down on his luck and has had multiple run-ins with the cops since their split.

In police reports he was listed as 'transient' while others note that addresses and phone numbers that had once worked are now invalid.

 

[cujenn81]

I’m not worried about the testimony of the two drug suppliers harming the state’s case — not even a little bit. They were never going to be great witnesses but their testimony was necessary, and the prosecution had to work with what they had. Regardless of what drug was sold or when it was sold or immunity deal or no deal, there are multiple pieces of corroborating evidence that indicate KR asked Carmen for drugs right before Eric got sick on Valentine’s Day and then again right before he died. There’s also cell phone evidence that proves KR asked for “something stronger” than last time. There’s also the check that KR wrote to pay Carmen and the two fraudulent “community service” letters. The minutiae doesn’t mean much in my opinion because it’s common knowledge that nearly all street drugs contain fentanyl these days.

The massive debt and falsified HELOC
The secret boyfriend and their planned vacation to the Caribbean a month after Eric’s death
The life insurance policy on Eric that KR fraudulently obtained a month earlier
The sudden purchase of illegal street drugs in the weeks leading up to Eric’s death
The walk the dog letter

All of this evidence is going to pile up until KR won’t be able to breathe under the mountain of evidence against her — much less secure a verdict of not guilty.

 

[Serononin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027496849091838340

Off-topic, but seeing this picture makes me wonder if something like this could account for the mystery "blue-green substance" that was found in Rebecca Park's stomach during her autopsy

 

[MarciB]

Lewis has come close to challenging the judge a few times and starts every sentence with "So...", I find it irritating.

And quite boring in general from both sides, IMO slow, longwinded, redundant questions, not fully prepared. Which wastes time and patience.

Kind of a lack of the sharpness we like to see. Hope it livens up next week.

I can't stand Lewis and am really growing disappointed in Bloodworth and staff

 

[rescuemom]

I'm sorry to jump in here to change the flow of the thread here. I just started to watch as I was into the GA dad shooter trial also. Does anyone and I could search for it, but, does anyone think the relationship of ERs sister and BIL is really off?? First, she rushes into the house and wants "her boys" and then on the stand can't say it often enough that she and her brother were very close. AND she seemed to control his life, totally dismissing the fact that he had a wife. Is this R family wealthy and very influential??? Im not a fan of KR but I could not live that way. She probly did this but I'm not sure it will be proved. Again, how much weight does this family have???

 

[303gmf]

I'm sorry to jump in here to change the flow of the thread here. I just started to watch as I was into the GA dad shooter trial also. Does anyone and I could search for it, but, does anyone think the relationship of ERs sister and BIL is really off?? First, she rushes into the house and wants "her boys" and then on the stand can't say it often enough that she and her brother were very close. AND she seemed to control his life, totally dismissing the fact that he had a wife. Is this R family wealthy and very influential??? Im not a fan of KR but I could not live that way. She probly did this but I'm not sure it will be proved. Again, how much weight does this family have???

No, not at all
I’m sure the entire family had seen her in action for years and knew more than we have heard, they were longtime community members and most likely heard things about Kouri and certainly could have witnessed her parenting of the kids as less than stellar
As his sister testified she and Eric were very close growing up and continued that close relationship throughout both of his marriage
Being protective of a brother and nephews is what close and loving do
The LDS community is all about family and they may have many reasons we don’t know of to suspect her and help Eric, the prenup didn’t come out of thin air

 

[Weki]

I'm sorry to jump in here to change the flow of the thread here. I just started to watch as I was into the GA dad shooter trial also. Does anyone and I could search for it, but, does anyone think the relationship of ERs sister and BIL is really off?? First, she rushes into the house and wants "her boys" and then on the stand can't say it often enough that she and her brother were very close. AND she seemed to control his life, totally dismissing the fact that he had a wife. Is this R family wealthy and very influential??? Im not a fan of KR but I could not live that way. She probly did this but I'm not sure it will be proved. Again, how much weight does this family have???

I know this is not a popular opinion but I found Katie’s demeanor at the scene and on the stand to be a little off. It had a performative quality to it. It’s not clear to me exactly how close she and the victim were. Her testimony as a “spark of life” witness was disappointing to me. I’m not diminishing her loss and I realize this entire process is overwhelming and stressful so I give her that grace. Her testimony left me feeling deflated.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

I can't stand Lewis and am really growing disappointed in Bloodworth and staff

Like others here, I think the State had to make the best of questionable witnesses. You get what you get.

They knew they might lose some ground with them. But they're about to gain big ground.

The State has the goods. The next witnesses will destroy the Defense. Digital forensics is the new DNA.

That tweezers... that could be a major smoking gun.

ER too. He took telling steps to protect his financial interest from her. He had suspicions... and events bear it out. She WAS stealing from him (line of credit without his knowledge), she was in serious debt... and she had a lovah --

But also -- she told her lovah her dream -- to buy the mansion as a wedding venue -- if she needed to SELL the mansion to halve her debt, just how was she planning to afford KEEPING it?

She knew she was about to come into a great deal of money, or so she thought.

It was MATH to her.

KR, ER, three boys, $4 million in debt, sidepiece. Not acceptable to her.

KR, sidepiece, no debt. Flip the financial script from dining in debt to flush. Perfectly acceptable to her. ER, the means to that end.

Cold as hell.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

Why all the oxys?

1. If she gave them to ER (without his knowledge), maybe she could create a history of addiction?

2. Maybe she didn't want to ask for fentanyl outright. Wanted to establish a path. Get drugs, pay, get more drugs, pay. That's where her "investor friend" came in. Drugs aren't for me, I just want to help my friend.

The jury will have to work at this. It's not a linear case.

ER died of fentanyl. Where did it come from? Either him or not him. There's no digital trail that suggests he had a part in it, no history of hard drugs. No recreational use, no indication of self harm.

If not him, then whom?

Well, there's a conduit for drugs. Was it the avenue for fentanyl? There's an indication that KR may have reached out to multiple sources... there is a nexus there.

Plus there's an actual digital trail that corroborates what the questionable witnesses testified to...

And that check...

Once you start laying it out, to try to reason to an alternate explanation becomes a gymnastics exercise. It gets into the realm outside of reasonable doubt. "It's not beyond ALL doubt." Could fentanyl arrived at the house by unknown means, could it have been taken by ER for unknown reasons, could KR's texts, steps, actions, logs all have alternative, harmless explanations?

Any one of those things, maybe, but ALL od them? That's just fantasy.

I think the jury will get there. They'll have to decide what to believe, what not to believe, but will ultimately conclude that KR did in fact buy drugs to kill ER, for financial reasons, BARD.

jmo