A Utah woman is accused of poisoning her husband and then writing a children’s book about grief. Kouri Richins, facing multiple felony charges, allegedly used a lethal dose of fentanyl to kill her husband. Her court hearing will determine if there’s enough evidence to proceed to trial.
Woman Faces Court for Husband’s Poisoning
A Utah woman accused of poisoning her husband and then writing a children’s book about grief is set to appear in court Wednesday. This hearing will determine if there’s enough evidence for a trial against Kouri Richins.
Allegations of a Calculated Murder
Kouri Richins, 33, allegedly killed her husband with a fatal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. Prosecutors claim she mixed five times the lethal dose into Eric Richins’ Moscow mule cocktail.
Previous Attempt to Poison
Court documents reveal she allegedly tried to kill him earlier with a spiked sandwich on Valentine’s Day. This detail adds a layer of premeditation to the case.
Children’s Book as Cover-Up
Months before her arrest, Richins self-published a book about a father watching over his son from heaven. Prosecutors argue the book was part of an elaborate cover-up scheme.
Evidence and Witnesses
Both sides plan to present witnesses and evidence to support their arguments. The judge will decide if the case should proceed to trial after this hearing.
Key Witnesses Expected
Witnesses may include family members, a housekeeper, and friends of Eric Richins. Their testimonies could be pivotal in establishing the timeline and nature of the alleged crime.
Defense Challenges Evidence
Defense attorney Skye Lazaro claims the evidence is weak and circumstantial. Lazaro suggests the housekeeper has motives to lie and points to biases within Eric Richins’ family amid estate battles and an assault case.
Financial Motive Alleged
Katie Richins, the victim’s sister, claims Kouri Richins had financial motives for the murder. Prosecutors say she secretly opened life insurance policies worth nearly $2 million and wrongly believed she would inherit his estate.
Conviction for Assault
Kouri Richins was found guilty of assaulting her sister-in-law, Amy Richins, shortly after her husband’s death. Amy testified that Kouri punched her during a dispute over access to her brother’s safe.
Additional Charges
Beyond aggravated murder and assault, Kouri Richins faces charges of mortgage fraud, forgery, and insurance fraud. She is accused of forging loan applications and fraudulently claiming insurance benefits following her husband’s death.
