ERIC RICHINS: Utah vs. Kouri Richins - Murder via fentanyl poisoning *GUILTY* (1 Viewer)

Utah mom accused of killing husband with fentanyl in drink tried to poison him multiple times before, family says

Despite the suspicions, Eric Richins stayed in the marriage with Kouri Richins because of his children, his family's spokesperson said.

www.nbcnews.com

May 10, 2023, 6:16 PM EDT / Updated May 11, 2023, 9:18 AM EDT
By Minyvonne Burke, Antonio Planas and Andrew Blankstein

A Utah man who died after his wife allegedly spiked his drink with fentanyl — and then wrote a children's book about grief — had suspected she tried to poison him multiple times and said “she was to blame” if anything happened to him, according to court records.

Despite the suspicions, a family spokesperson told NBC News on Wednesday that Eric Richins stayed in the marriage with Kouri Richins because of his children.


Eric Richins, 39, died March 4, 2022, at his home in Kamas, about 40 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, after he was found unresponsive in his bedroom. Kouri Richins, 33, was arrested Monday on charges of aggravated murder and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

An attorney for Kouri Richins, Skye Lazaro, declined to comment Wednesday.

According to affidavits for search warrants obtained Wednesday from the Summit County Sheriff's Office, relatives of Eric Richins told investigators to look into his wife's involvement.

"They advised he warned them that if anything happened to him she was to blame," the records said. Eric Richins, according to the records, suspected his wife had tried to poison him on multiple occasions.

"According to a sister, Eric and his wife went to Greece a few years ago and after his wife gave him a drink he became violently ill and called his sister saying he believed his wife had tried to kill him," the records said.

"On Valentine’s Day of 2022, his wife brought him a sandwich, which after one bite Eric broke into hives and couldn’t breathe. He used his son’s epi-pen as well as Benadryl before passing out for several hours," according to the records.

He was looking into a divorce and had changed his power of attorney, his will and the beneficiary of his life insurance policy from his wife to his sister, the records said.

Two family members said Eric Richins told them he was worried “Kouri would kill him for money and he wanted to make sure the kids were taken care of financially,” the records said.

<snip>

The medical examiner said that he had five times the lethal dosage of fentanyl in his system and that it was "illicit" fentanyl, not medical-grade. It is also believed he ingested the drugs orally, according to the statement.

It appears she never performed CPR on him as she claimed, the search warrant records said, because of the large amount of blood that came from his mouth.

His family said that Eric Richins never told his wife he had “cut her out of the will” and that the couple were also arguing over buying a $2 million home that she wanted to flip, according to the records.

The family said he was planning to tell her he wasn’t going to sign the papers, but the day after his death, she signed the closing papers on the home, the records said.

After she closed on the home, she invited her friends over for a large party at her home where she was drinking and celebrating, an affidavit for a search warrant said.

 

[Kimster]

In Utah, they don’t release mug shots until someone has been convicted. Here’s a picture of Kouri the day she was arrested.

 

[Guess Who]

There are two more trials awaiting Richins.
In a separate case, Richins faces 26 criminal charges alleging financial crimes: five counts of mortgage fraud, four counts of forgery, seven counts of issuing a bad check or draft, seven counts of money laundering, one count of communications fraud and one count of “a pattern of unlawful activity.” All of these crimes allegedly occurred before her husband’s death, according to court documents.
A civil trial over her husband’s estate was on hold, court documents show, pending the outcome of the murder trial.

Kouri Richins trial: Jury says ‘guilty’ of aggravated murder after about 3 hours of deliberations

A Summit County jury deliberated for about three hours before reaching its unanimous verdict, after more than two weeks of testimony.

www.sltrib.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Juror in Kouri Richins case reveals panel shifted from empathy to a guilty decision, according to reports.

Headline: Juror Reveals Shift in Kouri Richins Trial Verdict In a surprising turn of events, a juror from the Kouri Richins murder trial disclosed that the jury

www.stl.news

Juror in Kouri Richins case reveals panel shifted from empathy to a guilty decision, according to reports.​

In a surprising turn of events, a juror from the Kouri Richins murder trial disclosed that the jury’s initial feelings of sympathy for the defendant shifted significantly during the deliberation process, culminating in a guilty verdict. The trial concluded recently in Utah, where Richins was accused and found guilty of murdering her husband, Eric Richins. This revelation sheds light on the jurors’ decision-making process and the emotional complexities faced during the high-profile case.

The dramatic trial drew widespread attention not just for the crime but for the intricate details surrounding the couple’s relationship. Kouri Richins, who authored a children’s book about grief, claimed she found her husband unconscious after he drank a lethal dose of fentanyl. However, investigations revealed significant evidence suggesting foul play, leading to her arrest.

During the juror’s interview, they described how their initial compassion for Richins as a grieving spouse transformed into skepticism as they uncovered inconsistencies in her testimony and the prosecution’s compelling evidence. The juror explained, “We started off feeling sympathy for her situation, but as we heard more details, it became clear that things weren’t as they seemed.”

This transformation reflects a broader commentary on the emotional weight carried by jurors as they navigate the complexities of high-stakes legal battles. As information unfolded during the trial, the panel began to question the authenticity of Richins’s claims, especially in light of conflicting statements and forensic evidence.

Witness testimonies played a crucial role in swaying the jury’s perception. Colleagues and friends of Eric Richins testified about his character and relationship dynamics, painting a stark contrast to the defensive narrative presented by Kouri. Prosecution evidence, including financial records and communication logs, established a motive rooted in the potential gain of a substantial life insurance policy.

Furthermore, the juror noted that discussions about Kouri’s demeanor throughout the trial contributed to the jury’s shifting feelings. Observations of her emotional responses—or lack thereof—while discussing her husband’s death became a focal point of deliberation. “We couldn’t help but pay attention to how she acted when discussing Eric. It felt off at times, almost rehearsed,” the juror reflected.

 

[Kimster]

Juror in Kouri Richins case reveals panel shifted from empathy to a guilty decision, according to reports.

Headline: Juror Reveals Shift in Kouri Richins Trial Verdict In a surprising turn of events, a juror from the Kouri Richins murder trial disclosed that the jury

www.stl.news

Juror in Kouri Richins case reveals panel shifted from empathy to a guilty decision, according to reports.​

In a surprising turn of events, a juror from the Kouri Richins murder trial disclosed that the jury’s initial feelings of sympathy for the defendant shifted significantly during the deliberation process, culminating in a guilty verdict. The trial concluded recently in Utah, where Richins was accused and found guilty of murdering her husband, Eric Richins. This revelation sheds light on the jurors’ decision-making process and the emotional complexities faced during the high-profile case.

The dramatic trial drew widespread attention not just for the crime but for the intricate details surrounding the couple’s relationship. Kouri Richins, who authored a children’s book about grief, claimed she found her husband unconscious after he drank a lethal dose of fentanyl. However, investigations revealed significant evidence suggesting foul play, leading to her arrest.

During the juror’s interview, they described how their initial compassion for Richins as a grieving spouse transformed into skepticism as they uncovered inconsistencies in her testimony and the prosecution’s compelling evidence. The juror explained, “We started off feeling sympathy for her situation, but as we heard more details, it became clear that things weren’t as they seemed.”

This transformation reflects a broader commentary on the emotional weight carried by jurors as they navigate the complexities of high-stakes legal battles. As information unfolded during the trial, the panel began to question the authenticity of Richins’s claims, especially in light of conflicting statements and forensic evidence.

Witness testimonies played a crucial role in swaying the jury’s perception. Colleagues and friends of Eric Richins testified about his character and relationship dynamics, painting a stark contrast to the defensive narrative presented by Kouri. Prosecution evidence, including financial records and communication logs, established a motive rooted in the potential gain of a substantial life insurance policy.

Furthermore, the juror noted that discussions about Kouri’s demeanor throughout the trial contributed to the jury’s shifting feelings. Observations of her emotional responses—or lack thereof—while discussing her husband’s death became a focal point of deliberation. “We couldn’t help but pay attention to how she acted when discussing Eric. It felt off at times, almost rehearsed,” the juror reflected.

This is interesting to me because don't the judges in these cases tell the defendants to keep their emotions in check? I agree that Kouri was guilty, but basing decisions on her demeanor in court doesn't seem like it should be a factor, IMO. I've even read that in some cases, the defendants have been medicated to keep their emotions in check.

 

[Kimster]

I’m always interested in what jurors have to say about cases. Here’s another juror interview.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

https://www.abc4.com/richins/kouri-richins-sentencing-delay-husband-birthday/

Kouri Richins asks for sentencing date to be moved from late husband’s birthday​

Kouri Richins, the Kamas mother convicted of murdering her husband, has requested that her sentencing be delayed so that her team may have more time to prepare.

“Considering the seriousness of the sentencing options, either 25 years to life, or life without the possibility of parole, additional time is needed to properly research and prepare mitigation evidence and witnesses for Ms. Richins,” the court filing states.

Additionally, Richins is requesting that the sentencing be scheduled for a full day to present evidence and allow family and others to address the court.

Her team also notes that one of her attorneys is scheduled for another trial on May 13, and another will be unable to adequately prepare for the sentencing hearing because of a recent death in their family.

The prosecutors in this case have filed an opposition to this motion, meaning that they do not believe that the sentencing date should be changed.