GUILTY UT - Kouri Richins, 33, Author, wife, mom, charged in husband’s unexpected death last year, 8 May 2023 #3

[Elisaa444]

Since the defense likes to reference the gummies so much ...I hope the jury doesn't get distracted by that. I hope the state highlights that Eric did not have THC in his system when he died. I also hope they highlight yet again that the only person who had contact with Carmen about buying pills is Kouri - Not Eric. IF Kouri had been purchasing these pills off the street for one of her 'clients' then I believe there would have been evidence of that. Where is this person? Is his name Zanny by chance?

I'm trying to put myself in the Jurys shoes ..when they go back ...I'm sure there will be a discussion like "Other than Kouri giving Eric these pills and poisoning him...What are some other ways it could have happened based on the evidence presented to us?" I hope the state really drives home that there is absolutely NO evidence that Eric got fentanyl from anyone in Mexico. Furthermore, there is NO evidence that Eric (except the one person saying he heard Eric "popped pills " in HIGH SCHOOL) was a pill popper at the time of his death. Not one family member or friend said that ...in fact...not even Kouri if I recall correctly.

Also, I know a lot of people personally who don't know much about illegal drugs and that includes prescribed pain medication. I hope the state also reminds the jury that just because Carmen said she "doesn't mess with fentanyl because of her daughter's overdose" does NOT mean she "didn't mess with fentanyl."

When you're buying pills off the street from a dealer I do not care how you 'feel' about a particular drug - you NEVER can be sure what you are getting. Unless you are literally getting it from the pharmacy - you cannot be sure! So, Carmen can say that - but when she was purchasing those pills she had NO way of knowing what were in the pills. I really hope someone on that jury is familiar with street drugs. I had this conversation with a few different people this week and they did not know any of what I just said.

One person asked me " Can't you just tell the dealer not to give you pills with fentanyl?" Sure. You can ask your dealer that, but he cannot be sure where he is getting them from either unless it is his own prescription. To be honest, most dealers don't care - they sell what they have to make money. They don't have a lab where they put drugs through testing, so bottom line - you buy street drugs you are taking a risk. I just hope the state explains this.

I only see Kouri as having the motive, means and opportunity to poison Eric. I cannot see a world where he ingested it on his own or someone else gave it to him. I just pray the state remembers not everyone is well-versed in how drugs and dealers work, so I hope they have a plan to make sure the jury understands...or maybe most people do understand and the people I've spoken to this week - are just not knowledgeable in this area. I'm getting so nervous as this wraps up. I really feel for the Richins family.

JMO >

 

[cujenn81]

For the sake of being open minded, I’ll concede a few points to the defense today for making the lead detective appear unknowledgeable about certain aspects of the case. With that said — Nester’s style of questioning and combativeness are so grating that I suspect the jury tuned out for a large chunk of her “precisely re-worded” dog and pony show.

I know I did.

 

[MarciB]

For the sake of being open minded, I’ll concede a few points to the defense today for making the lead detective appear unknowledgeable about certain aspects of the case. With that said — Nester’s style of questioning and combativeness are so grating that I suspect the jury tuned out for a large chunk of her “precisely re-worded” dog and pony show.

I know I did.

I thought O Driscoll handled Nester quite well. She tried to make him look like he was sloppy by asking questions about doing things with evidence that would have been done by other detectives or csi or patrol, etc. It seemed pretty obvious to me - like asking the lead detective why he didn't do canvassing or take evidence to the lab or morgue

 

[tricia]

Look up my friends. See at the top of this thread? I've posted the livestream that Hidden True Crime will be playing tomorrow from the courthouse. You can watch the Richins trial and stay here on Websleuths and continue to post.

 

[Cindizzi]

 

[Cindizzi]

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

I totally agree! You said everything I have been thinking…

The link between kouri buying fentanyl is less than concrete and someone testifying that they were the investor who wanted pain pills would obliterate that.

Psst... there is no investor. It's all made up. Breaking news: Kouri lies. She even lied to her own kids about writing a book for them about their dead father ffs.

Then the link between the fentanyl and kouri giving them to Eric doesn’t really exist because nothing in the kitchen/garbage was tested.

There is a link between KR and fentanyl through CL. Yet there is ZERO evidence of ER obtaining any fentanyl on his own. Defense wants us to believe he is the only junkie who never left any trace of his drug use anywhere, not in his house nor on his phone. No single text about buying street drugs anywhere on his phone. None from his many trips to Mexico (which is not the only place in the world to get street drugs, you can even easily get them in lily white Utah, fyi to certain people). And meanwhile, there were dozens of texts between KR and a known drug dealer during her drug buys. There were texts between CL and RC. Drug users text each other about buying drugs. ER was not a drug user.

The defense even admits KR bought drugs from CL for ER. Their story is she was only buying oxycodone, and since there was no oxycodone detected in ER, it didn't come from KR. This of course ignores all the constant vouching from KR about how clean ER was other than gummies. There were also no texts to KR from ER talking about these drugs she was supposedly getting for him. That's because, obviously, ER did not use hard drugs. That's the one truth KR told after the murder, that ER did not use drugs. She is lying now saying that he did. She is a proven prolific liar.

A big hole in their 'KR buying oxycodone for ER' story is that she made another buy after ER died. Why? It's because CL asked KR whether the drugs she gave her got ER killed, so KR needed to make another buy to pretend they were never for ER. Nobody knew for sure he died of an overdose at that time, except for KR.

 

[Elisaa444]

Psst... there is no investor. It's all made up. Breaking news: Kouri lies. She even lied to her own kids about writing a book for them about their dead father ffs.



There is a link between KR and fentanyl through CL. Yet there is ZERO evidence of ER obtaining any fentanyl on his own. Defense wants us to believe he is the only junkie who never left any trace of his drug use anywhere, not in his house nor on his phone. No single text about buying street drugs anywhere on his phone. None from his many trips to Mexico (which is not the only place in the world to get street drugs, you can even easily get them in lily white Utah, fyi to certain people). And meanwhile, there were dozens of texts between KR and a known drug dealer during her drug buys. There were texts between CL and RC. Drug users text each other about buying drugs. ER was not a drug user.

The defense even admits KR bought drugs from CL for ER. Their story is she was only buying oxycodone, and since there was no oxycodone detected in ER, it didn't come from KR. This of course ignores all the constant vouching from KR about how clean ER was other than gummies. There were also no texts to KR from ER talking about these drugs she was supposedly getting for him. That's because, obviously, ER did not use hard drugs. That's the one truth KR told after the murder, that ER did not use drugs. She is lying now saying that he did. She is a proven prolific liar.

A big hole in their 'KR buying oxycodone for ER' story is that she made another buy after ER died. Why? It's because CL asked KR whether the drugs she gave her got ER killed, so KR needed to make another buy to pretend they were never for ER. Nobody knew for sure he died of an overdose at that time, except for KR.

Yes, I believe you have explained this perfectly. Now, it is my hope that the state drives these points home to the jury especially your last paragraph! I believe that is exactly why she did that last purchase after Eric died.

Also, yes it is unbelievable that Eric had a pill addiction and there was never a trace of Eric communicating electronically about getting said pills. That is just not realistic.

If the state can drive your points home I believe they have proven their case. I believe they have a very strong circumstantial case. I am not convinced (so far) there is another explanation to his death beyond Kouri giving him the fentanyl. I am very interested to see what the defense presents (if anything) when it is their turn.

JMO>

 

[Megnut]

I've talked on the phone with my own mom a lot, and we've never had a conversation like  this.

I continue to question why she's denying the love letter. It was Valentine's Day. What's more credible -- that she picked him up a sandwich, left it in his truck with a VD message, or the she picked him up a sandwich, left it in his truck without one? Her cackle tells me she's lying. But why?

Her venom for ER's sister, on full display.

But she goes global. Now all of America is stupid, they're all wrong, Detective O'Driscoll too. The whole world is wrong and only KR is right. Because she was there. (Except in the case of the truck sandwich, she's saying she left no letter and she didn't eat sandwiches in the office with ER so, KR, is there was a love letter in the truck and someone ate lunch in the office with ER, if it wasn't you, aren't you curious who it was? Maybe they poisoned ER after you left. But if course that didn't occur to her to say. Because she was there and she did leave the note. And you know what else? For the sisters to know that, ER must have told someone. My guess, the friend/s he told he was suddenly sick after eating the food KR provided him.

Who provided the detail that he only ate half the sandwich? (We heard that, didn't we?)

But back to the jail call, like all of her performances, KR wasn't even kind of convincing.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

Today could be a big day.

State, likely to rest.

Will the Defense put on a defense? I say no. As I've said, they did already (or attempted to) through cross.

I hold out the wild card on whether KR will take the stand. It will be spectacular if she does, like if instead of making a bonfire to roast your marshmallow, you torch your property.

 JMO

 

[Niner]

Thursday, March 12th:
*Trial continues (Day 13) (@ 8:30am MT) - UT - Eric Eugene Richins (39) poisoned [allegedly] with a lethal dose of fentanyl by wife on March. 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 1 count of 1st degree criminal homicide aggravated murder (DV), 2 counts of 2nd degree distribution of a controlled substance [charges dismissed 11/12/24], 1 count of attempted aggravated murder, 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 (2/20/26).
*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 began on 2/10/26 & ended on 2/11/26. Jury consists of 8 jurors [2 women & 6 men] & 4 alternates [4 women].
Murder Trial began on 2/23/26 [thru 3/26/26]. Court in session from Mondays to Thursdays.
Third District Court Summit County Judge Richard Mrazik presiding. Prosecutors Lindsay Chervenask, Fred Burmester & Summit County Deputy Attorney Brad Bloodworth & Defense attorneys Kathy Nester & Wendy Lewis & Alex Ramos.
Case & court info from 6/5/23 thru 2/2/26 & Jury Selection Days 1-2 (2/10-2/11//26) & thru 2/18/26 r& Trial Days 1-11 (2/23-3/10/26; no court on 3/6/26) reference post #3681 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ed-death-last-year-may-2023-3.711978/page-185
3/11/26 Wednesday, Trial Day 12: *This morning prosecutors & defense team will discuss interviews Carmen Lauber did with detectives while she was in jail. Jailhouse phone calls involving Richins are also expected to be discussed today during Detective Jeff O'Driscoll's testimony. See post #3717, page 186 for what will be discussed.
*Prosecutors will play video of the jailhouse interviews with text on the screen so jurors can follow along. Judge has denied Richins’ request for a mistrial. Bloodworth says Carmen Lauber will be at the courthouse at 1 p.m. today to testify. State has two witnesses left: Carmen Lauber & Det. Jeff O’Driscoll. That will take today & part of tomorrow. Defense then has witnesses they will call tomorrow. Kathryn Nester says once the state rests, they will need around 30 minutes to talk with Kouri. See post #3744, page 188 for more info.
State witnesses: Carmen Lauber [back on stand]. State defers to defense. Summit County Sheriff's Office Detective Jeff O'Driscoll [lead detective in case assigned in March, 2023]. State showed portions of Lauber's interview to jury. See post 3990, page 200 for more info. Det O’Driscoll will be back on stand. Trial continues on Thursday, 3/12/26.

 

[Megnut]

If the Defense also rests today, it will come to the judge without warning.

He'll recover but he's ever mindful of courtroom schedule, doesn't like to waste anyone's time.

Will he utilize Friday for working our jury instructions with Counsel, while jurors enjoy the long weekend? Then jury instruction and closing arguments on Monday, then verdict watch?!

Or will the Defense extend the agony and put in a Defense after all? Purposely drag out the clock into next week?

I'm eager to see what today brings.

I hope it brings us closer to justice, bringing a measure of comfort -- and if not comfort, vindication at least -- to those who loved ER most and have fought hardest for the truth to come out.

JMO

 

[Warwick7]

Today could be a big day.

State, likely to rest.

Will the Defense put on a defense? I say no. As I've said, they did already (or attempted to) through cross.

I hold out the wild card on whether KR will take the stand. It will be spectacular if she does, like if instead of making a bonfire to roast your marshmallow, you torch your property.

 JMO

Remember Tammy Moore's debacle? Lol! Or worse yet that train wreck Jodi Arias on the stand?

KR parallels their personalities. I will be surprised if she doesn't take the stand.

 

[Kemug]

But isn't Kouri and her mothers' close loving bond a joy to behold?

 

[oakayfine]

Nester - Kouri is relaying and REMINDING something that Ronnie knows from the past - riiiiiight? (I hate her and her one trick pony move of saying Riiiiight? after every question.)

Riiight?


Riiiiight?

in the letter she says at a meeting with Skye next week she talks about Ronnie telling a story about Eric telling him about his trips to Mexico.

I suppose it's better than "amirite?".

 

[Warwick7]

Nester asked O'Driscoll if the letter was ever delivered to Kouri's mother or any member of the family, to which the detective replied, "not to my knowledge."

Wait a minute. If the letter had to be redacted because the jury wasn't supposed to know that she had been incarcerated, then how in the world was O"Driscoll supposed to answer that question??

I mean it's not like he could say, "No it wasn't delivered because it was discovered during a search of KR's jail cell."

 

[cujenn81]

IRT the walk the dog letter, I expect the state will clear up a lot of the false narratives the defense tried to insinuate during their cross.

For example, the defense asked if he ever searched Ronnie’s phone to look for texts from Eric about his trips to Mexico. I expect the state will ask if any texts to Ronnie about buying drugs in Mexico were found on Eric’s phone. The digital forensics expert has already testified that no texts about drugs were found on Eric’s phone (other than the three texts w/ KR that mentioned gummies — and 2 of those texts entailed KR suggesting they take a gummy BTW). She also testified that deletions were not indicated on Eric’s phone.

I expect any gains Nester might’ve made yesterday will be lost on redirect.

 

[Skagirl]

I am hoping that the jury remembers things like KR deleting hundreds of text messages while Eric's phone had no deleted messages-things like that just scream "hey, why would anyone do that if they're not guilty?" JMO

 

[rescuemom]

An acquittal is possible. Jurors are unpredictable; however, I don't see an acquittal in this case. moo

Maybe a hung jury? Is this area heavily Mormon?? I wonder how many Mormons are on the jury. KR was not Mormon ER was, so were they active in the church? I wonder about the R sisters husbands? Are they Mormon?

 

[rescuemom]

Not impressed with O'Driscoll. As lead detective he did little else after he got his marching orders. The video shown was plain to see that the investigators "needed something to convict Kouri" from CL. She at any point was ready to give them what they needed so that she would get whatever for herself. Again, CL said that she did not get fentenyl and RC said he didn't deal fentenyl until a year later.