• #4,601
"In today's hearing, they are showing footage of when the guard found the "walk the dog" letter in #KouriRichins cell. (we'll have this uploaded in full tomorrow. No live streaming allowed)."

 
  • #4,602
Respectfully, IMO Eric’s sisters are heartbroken and rightfully angry, not bitter. They didn’t have to do too much digging because their genius sister-in-law/killer left an evidence trail a mile wide.
Agreed. And to those who find the sisters and their hiring of a stellar PI to be bitter, I have to add that they had 3 innocent little boys to worry about being raised by this possible murderer motivated by greed, who had also taken out insurance policies on the boys. I would hope that if my siblings had the means, they would do everything these sisters did. And they didn’t break the law to do it. In fact, saying that they wanted to wait to hear the results of the autopsy to discuss control of the house was generous IMO. And they went for the PI who didn’t play dirty but insisted on being above board and finding the truth. That is not the PI you hire if you have an axe to grind no matter what. He will not risk his reputation for bitterness.

I see it as pure love to carry on what mattered most to their brother: his innocent, young children. The sister’s concern for them was obvious from the moment she came through the door - unlike Kouri, who seemed to me only to be covering her lying face rather than asking what could be done to save Eric or to spare the children she knew were listening at their door likely terrified.

Does anyone think there would be anything left of the trust today if Kouri had been successful in her attempts to gain control of it all? Would the children know their father’s family? Would they be safe once the money ran out? Why wait on an overburdened police department if you can afford an amazingly thorough PI? Besides, Kouri was suing them to undo what Eric had wanted. I bet every moment of the last few years has been nothing but misery for them to pursue this. I APPLAUD THE SISTERS.
 
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  • #4,603
And just imagine if Eric's boys were now being brought up solely by Kouri and her family?! With their family values?
 
  • #4,604
Agreed. And to those who find the sisters and their hiring of a stellar PI to be bitter, I have to add that they had 3 innocent little boys to worry about being raised by this possible murderer motivated by greed, who had also taken out insurance policies on the boys. I would hope that if my siblings had the means, they would do everything these sisters did. And they didn’t break the law to do it. In fact, saying that they wanted to wait to hear the results of the autopsy to discuss control of the house was generous IMO. And they went for the PI who didn’t play dirty but insisted on being above board and finding the truth. That is not the PI you hire if you have an axe to grind no matter what. He will not risk his reputation for bitterness.

I see it as pure love to carry on what mattered most to their brother: his innocent, young children. The sister’s concern for them was obvious from the moment she came through the door - unlike Kouri, who seemed to me only to be covering her lying face rather than asking what could be done to save Eric or to spare the children she knew were listening at their door likely terrified.

Does anyone think there would be anything left of the trust today if Kouri had been successful in her attempts to gain control of it all? Would the children know their father’s family? Would they be safe once the money ran out? Why wait on an overburdened police department if you can afford an amazingly thorough PI? Besides, Kouri was suing them to undo what Eric had wanted. I bet every moment of the last few years has been nothing but misery for them to pursue this. I APPLAUD THE SISTERS.
I didn't know she'd taken out policies on her children, bloody hell
 
  • #4,605
I didn't know she'd taken out policies on her children, bloody hell
I did wonder about this before, but nobody replied. OMG!!
 
  • #4,606
I didn't know she'd taken out policies on her children, bloody hell
I did wonder about this before, but nobody replied. OMG!!
Yes, this was revealed somewhat early on in the investigation. It's the most haunting and disturbing detail of the case, imo.

The money she would have gotten from Eric's death was barely enough to cover her immediate debts. It's disturbing to consider what she would have done to keep bringing money after that. And it seems she had a plan.
 
  • #4,607
Yes, this was revealed somewhat early on in the investigation. It's the most haunting and disturbing detail of the case, imo.

The money she would have gotten from Eric's death was barely enough to cover her immediate debts. It's disturbing to consider what she would have done to keep bringing money after that. And it seems she had a plan.
So if her plan included marrying her boyfriend and "raising a family" - didn't she write that? - did she hope to have more kids, then insure them and their father? What sort of monster is this??!!
 
  • #4,608
Monday, March 16th:
*Trial continues (Day 14)-CLOSING ARGUMENTS! (@ 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), & 1 count 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 & State rested their case on 3/12/26. Defense rested their without calling any witnesses on 3/12/26. 6. 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 1-12 (2/23-3/11/26; no court on 3/6/26) reference post #4031 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ed-death-last-year-may-2023-3.711978/page-202

3/12/26 Thursday, Trial Day 13: *Defense have a witness (David Norris) who will testify that Eric asked him if he could get him fentanyl, which was denied by Judge Richard Mrazik. This was denied by the court under hearsay. Nester is going back-and-forth with Judge Mrazik about asking Jeff O'Driscoll a specific question about one of the Gifs being sent the day before Eric Richins' passing. Judge doesn't think this testimony is appropriate to be entered thru Det. O'Driscoll with lack of foundation. See posts #4128 & #4135, page 208 & post #4161, page 209 for more info on discussion.
*State witness: Summit County Sheriff's Office
Detective Jeff O'Driscoll [lead detective in case assigned in March, 2023] back on stand.
*State rests their case.
*Defense moves for a direct verdict. Judge is back on the bench. He says his role is to determine if the state has produced believable evidence & he says they have. The motion for dismissal is denied. See post #4269, page 214 for more info.
*Prosecution says the state rests its case [yesterday]. Defense attorney Lewis says after consulting with their client, the
defense rests.
*Judge tells attorneys to have a conference call at 4pm today to talk about jury instructions. Counsel asks to meet with judge tomorrow at 1pm to discuss jury instructions.
*Judge tells jury they don’t need to report back to the courthouse until Monday at 8:30am. He tells jurors not to discuss the case with anyone. They will be given instructions on Monday, 3/16/26.

3/13/26 Friday: Judge & attorneys go over jury instructions. See post #4477 page 224 for more info. Closing arguments start on Monday, 3/16/26.
 
  • #4,609
Yes, this was revealed somewhat early on in the investigation. It's the most haunting and disturbing detail of the case, imo.

The money she would have gotten from Eric's death was barely enough to cover her immediate debts. It's disturbing to consider what she would have done to keep bringing money after that. And it seems she had a plan.
That's horrifying. If I had to guess, I'd bet her next plan was for whichever of the children owned the EpiPens to "accidentally" consume something they were allergic to...
 
  • #4,610
Refresher on Kouri Richins Charges for the Jurors:

THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT - SILVER SUMMIT DISTR

Case # 231500139
8:30 AM - 3/16/2026
COURTROOM B

STATE OF UTAH
vs.
KOURI DARDEN RICHINS

DOB: 4/20/1990

Attorneys:
DEF ATTY: ALEXANDER RAMOS
DEF ATTY: KATHRYN NESTER
DEF ATTY: WENDY LEWIS
PLA ATTY: LINDSAY CHERVENAK
PLA ATTY: JOSEPH HILL
PLA ATTY: BYRON BURMESTER
PLA ATTY: MARGARET OLSON
PLA ATTY: BRADLEY BLOODWORTH

1st Degree Felony - AGGRAVATED MURDER--2022-03-03
1st Degree Felony--ATTEMPTED CRIMINAL HOMICIDE--2022-01-01
2nd Degree Felony--FALSE/FRAUDULENT INSURANCE CLAIM--2022-02-26
2nd Degree Felony--FALSE/FRAUDULENT INSURANCE CLAIM--2022-02-26
3rd Degree Felony--FORGERY--2022-02-26



Imagine if the first attempt (that we know of…) had been successful.
Eric would have been poisoned to death by his own wife on Valentine’s day.

She must have really hated him.

MOO
 
  • #4,611
She has shown that she's willing to murder for anticipated profit. That puts everyone at her risk, no matter how young.

JMO
 
  • #4,612
I have to be in court this morning with a client so I am going to miss the closing arguments and will have to watch and replay. I will try and check in here for play-by-play updates as y’all are watching it live.
 
  • #4,613
A woman who is a member of a Facebook group for widows and widowers sent me the screenshot below. She says Kouri Richins asked to join the group in March 2023 and posted the following message. "Such an incredible breach of all of our trust," the woman wrote me.Weeks later, Kouri was arrested and charged with killing her husband. Closing arguments in her case are scheduled for tomorrow. The jury will then deliberate until a verdict is reached.

 
  • #4,614
Day 15 - #KouriRichinsTrial Jurors will be back after a long weekend.

Closing arguments are scheduled for today (3/16/26).

Reminder, court is only open to family and friends of Kouri Richins and Eric Richins.

1773670972831.webp


Public court watchers have already been removed this morning. Judge ruled that additional seating will be allowed for family/friends.

Keep in mind there are a number of people from both parties that were not allowed to attend the trial due to being under subpoena.

Court gets underway at 8:30 AM.

 
  • #4,615
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  • #4,616
She's one hundred percent cognitively competent.

Deleting text messages shows she knew she was doing something wrong.
 
  • #4,617
8:27 a.m. Packed courtroom this morning. Kouri Richins family received 24 wristbands to attend and Eric Richins family also received 24 wristbands. Ten journalists are on the front row, so the courtroom is full.

LIVE UPDATES | Closing arguments set on day 15 of Kouri Richins murder trial​


 
  • #4,618
Live in the courtroom, jury entering

 
  • #4,619
Starting with jury instructions.
 
  • #4,620
Confirmation that the State gets a rebuttal argument.
 

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