PARK CITY, Utah — A Utah woman is facing a critical court hearing Monday that could determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial for the alleged murder of her husband. Kouri Richins, 34, stands accused of fatally poisoning her spouse, Eric Richins, 39, with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022 at their residence in the mountains near Park City.
Prosecutors allege that Kouri mixed five times the lethal dose of the synthetic opioid into a Moscow mule cocktail that Eric consumed. In addition to the murder charge, Kouri faces accusations of an earlier attempt to harm him with a spiked sandwich on Valentine’s Day. She consistently maintains her innocence.
The hearing was previously postponed by Judge Richard Mrazik, who noted that prosecutors would require three consecutive days to present their evidence. The process was further delayed when Kouri’s private attorneys withdrew from her case, leading to the appointment of public defenders Wendy Lewis and Kathy Nester to represent her.
In a notable twist, Kouri self-published a children’s book titled “Are You with Me?”—which centers on a father with angel wings watching over his son after his death—just months prior to her arrest in May 2023. This publication may be pivotal for prosecutors, who argue that it suggests a calculated murder and subsequent cover-up, as Kouri allegedly engaged in secret financial activities and procured illegal drugs while her husband grew suspicious.
Both sides are preparing to call witnesses and present evidence to bolster their arguments. The judge will assess the adequacy of the presented evidence after the hearing, determining if the case should advance to trial.
Potential witnesses include family members of both Kouri and Eric, a housekeeper who alleges to have sold Kouri the drugs, and friends of Eric who reportedly recounted conversations from the day he was first poisoned.
Kouri’s former lead defense attorney had suggested that the housekeeper’s credibility was questionable, claiming a motive for deception in exchange for leniency on her own drug charges. Furthermore, Eric Richins’ sisters have been cited as biased during a contentious battle over his estate.
A recent petition filed by Katie Richins accuses Kouri of having financial motives for her husband’s death, highlighting life insurance policies totaling nearly $2 million that Kouri reportedly opened without Eric’s knowledge.
In related legal troubles, Kouri was found guilty of misdemeanor assault against her sister-in-law shortly after Eric’s death, with accusations that she struck her during a dispute about access to his belongings.
Kouri Richins is facing a range of serious charges, including aggravated murder, assault, drug offenses, mortgage fraud, forgery, and insurance fraud linked to alleged fraudulent activities after her husband’s passing. The upcoming court proceedings will further unfold the complex narrative surrounding this tragic case.
