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Utah Author Kouri Richins’ Murder Trial Begins with Explosive Opening Statements
Park City, UT – The highly anticipated murder trial of Kouri Richins, a Utah mother and self-published children’s book author, commenced Monday with prosecutors painting a chilling portrait of a “money-hungry killer” who allegedly poisoned her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl. Her defense team, however, urged jurors to reserve judgment, suggesting the victim’s own struggles with painkiller addiction could be a factor in his death.
Richins, 35, faces a litany of felony charges, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, forgery, mortgage fraud, and insurance fraud, in connection with the March 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, at their home near Park City. She has consistently denied all allegations.
Prosecution’s Case: Debt, Deception, and a Deadly Cocktail
Summit County prosecutor Brad Bloodworth wasted no time in laying out the state’s case, asserting that Richins was embroiled in $4.5 million of debt and falsely believed she would inherit more than $4 million from her husband’s estate upon his death. He further alleged Richins was planning a new life with a man she was seeing on the side.
“The evidence will prove that Kouri Richins murdered Eric for his money and to get a fresh start at life,” Bloodworth declared. “More than anything, she wanted his money to perpetuate her facade of privilege, affluence and success.”
Prosecutors contend Richins slipped five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow mule that Eric consumed. They also allege a prior attempt on Valentine’s Day, just a month earlier, involving a fentanyl-laced sandwich that reportedly caused Eric to break out in hives and black out.
Adding a layer of calculated deception to the narrative, Bloodworth highlighted Richins’ internet search history, which included queries such as “women Utah prison,” “luxury prisons for the rich America,” and “Can cops force you to do a lie detector test?” He also presented text messages between Richins and her alleged lover, Robert Josh Grossman, where she expressed dreams of leaving her husband, securing millions in a divorce, and eventually marrying Grossman.
A key witness for the prosecution is housekeeper Carmen Lauber, who claims to have sold Richins up to 90 blue-green fentanyl pills on three separate occasions. Lauber has been granted immunity in the case. Furthermore, prosecutors revealed that Richins had taken out nearly $2 million in life insurance policies on her husband without his knowledge years before his death.
Defense’s Counter-Narrative: Grief, Addiction, and a Wife’s Despair
Defense attorney Kathryn Nester opened her arguments by playing a recording of Richins’ 911 call from the night of Eric’s death. Richins’ hysterical sobs could be heard, as she struggled to answer the dispatcher’s questions.
“Those were the sounds of a wife becoming a widow,” Nester stated, aiming to humanize her client and portray genuine grief. Richins could be heard crying and admitting she didn’t know what happened or how to perform CPR, though she expressed willingness to try.
Nester countered the prosecution’s claims by suggesting Eric Richins, who suffered from Lyme disease and was addicted to painkillers, may have accidentally overdosed. She presented photos of an empty pill bottle on Eric’s nightstand and bags of marijuana gummies he regularly used, arguing he was dependent on painkillers and had asked his wife to obtain opioids for him.
The defense also painted a picture of a couple who, despite a difficult year and contemplating divorce, had attended marriage counseling and decided to stay together. Nester stated they were happy and celebrating a property deal the night of his death.
Richins’ mother, Lisa Darden, echoed the defense’s sentiments in an interview with “48 Hours,” expressing “a hundred percent” certainty of her daughter’s innocence.
A Community Riveted: The Trial Continues
The high-profile nature of the case was evident outside the Summit County Courthouse, where dozens of people began camping in lawn chairs as early as 4 a.m., hoping to secure a spot to witness the proceedings. Richins, clad in a black blazer and white blouse, sat taking notes on a legal pad alongside her defense team during Monday’s arguments.
The trial is expected to continue through March 26. Among the witnesses slated to testify are the housekeeper, Carmen Lauber, and the man with whom Richins was allegedly having an affair.
The children’s book Richins self-published after her husband’s death, “Are You with Me?”, about a father with angel wings watching over his young son, could prove a crucial element for prosecutors. Bloodworth highlighted Richins’ promotion of the book on local TV and radio, suggesting it was part of an elaborate cover-up.
Richins’ attorneys had attempted to move the trial out of the community due to widespread media attention, but the judge denied the request, believing an impartial jury could still be assembled. Potential jurors underwent an extensive 23-page questionnaire, delving into their news consumption, TV habits, and organizational affiliations, indicating the court’s rigorous efforts to select an unbiased panel.