Trial Recap Of The Kouri Richins Trial!
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Case Summary
The trial of Kouri Richins centers on the 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, in Utah. Prosecutors allege that Eric died from acute fentanyl poisoning and argue that the overdose was intentional. The State’s case focuses on three core areas: alleged drug procurement, financial motive, and evidence of a prior suspected poisoning attempt weeks before his death.
According to charging documents, prosecutors claim Richins obtained fentanyl through an intermediary and administered it in a drink the night her husband died. Toxicology results reportedly showed a lethal level of fentanyl in his system. The State also points to life insurance policies and financial pressures tied to real estate projects as potential motive.
The defense disputes the prosecution’s narrative, challenging the credibility of key witnesses, the interpretation of toxicology evidence, and the inference that financial stress equals intent. Richins has pleaded not guilty.
The case gained national attention after it was revealed that, following her husband’s death, Richins authored a children’s book about grief. Prosecutors suggest this timing is relevant to their theory, while the defense argues it reflects family trauma and coping.
Key Testimonies & Evidence! (Day-by-Day Summaries)
Updated daily!
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Key Testimonies & Evidence! (Day 1)
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Day 1 Summary:
Day 1 of Utah v. Kouri Richins began with both sides delivered sharply contrasting opening statements. The prosecution outlined a theory of intentional fentanyl poisoning driven by financial strain, marital breakdown, and alleged insurance incentive, asserting that no one else was responsible for Eric Richins’ death.
The defence focused on the State’s burden of proof, argued that the manner and mechanism of fentanyl ingestion remain unproven, and characterised the 911 call as consistent with shock rather than premeditation.
Four prosecution witnesses testified, including Eric’s father and sister, who established the early-morning timeline, described marital instability and financial tension, and alleged post-death conduct they considered significant; cross-examination introduced evidence of Eric’s THC use and raised questions about family-driven investigative involvement. The day concluded with testimony from Eric’s brother-in-law regarding financial matters and a responding detective who presented bodycam footage and confirmed no visible drug paraphernalia at the scene, while defence counsel highlighted potential investigative gaps.
Summary Of Key Day 1 Testimonies:
Eugene Richins – Father of Eric Richins
Witness testified that Kouri Richins called him stating Eric was not breathing.
Witness testified that he arrived at the residence at approximately 10:00–10:30am.
Katie Richins-Benson – Sister of Eric Richins
Witness testified she never observed Eric use illicit drugs.Witness testified she received call from father stating Eric was not breathing.
Witness testified defendant showed no reaction upon learning of death.
Witness testified defendant did not respond when asked to check on children.
Clint Benson – Brother-in-law
Direct Examination
Witness testified a line of credit was taken against Eric’s house.
Witness testified Eric was upset upon learning of the credit.
Witness testified Eric hired divorce attorney Christina Miller.
Witness testified defendant discussed plan for T.J. to run Eric’s company.
Deputy Vincent Nguyen – Summit County Sheriff’s Office
Direct Examination
Witness testified no THC gummies observed.
Witness testified no drug paraphernalia observed.
Witness stated such items would have been documented if seen.
Cross Examination
Witness confirmed he was not present when body moved.
Witness confirmed he did not inspect sink.
Witness confirmed he did not instruct others to inspect scene.
Key Evidence Introduced:
- Bodycam footage depicting Kouri Richens upset and crying. Says on audio “why didn’t he just call out if he was in pain – Introduced via Vincent Nguyen
Key Testimonies & Evidence! (Day 2)
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Day 2 Summary:
Day 2 of Utah v. Kouri Richins centered on scene documentation and medical evidence as the prosecution continued its case-in-chief. Law enforcement witnesses addressed timeline details, including an eight-minute dispatch discrepancy and acknowledgment that the scene was only “semi-secured.” Crime scene and medical responders testified that no THC gummies or drug paraphernalia were found in the bedroom, that the decedent was discovered face-up with an AED attached, and that blood was present at the mouth. An EMT confirmed the decedent was cold to the touch upon assessment.
The key testimony came from retired Medical Examiner Pamela Ulmer, who confirmed rib fractures consistent with CPR and no other traumatic injuries. Toxicology revealed fentanyl at approximately 20 mg per mL, which she testified would be toxic for a non-user. However, she stated that the manner of death could not be determined. The autopsy record, reflected in the Day 2 exhibits, shows cause amended to drug intoxication (fentanyl) and manner amended to “not determined”.
Summary Of Key Day 2 Testimonies:
David Pimentel – Summit County Sheriff Office, Responding officer on the day of killing.
Pimentel testified that he did not find any THC gummies nor any drug penephalia
Witness testified defendant showed no reaction upon learning of death.
Witness testified defendant did not respond when asked to check on children.
Andy Crnich – Summit County Sheriff Office
Direct Examination
Crnich confirmed that he the exhibit shown to him were pill bottles found on the night stand.
Pamela Ulmer – Medical Examiner (Retired)
Direct Examination
Ulmer testified that the manner of death could not be determined.
Ulmer testified that Eric had rib fractures that were most likely from CPR
Ulmer testified that Fentanyl should not be present; and the fact that it is found means there is a high likelihood it was consumed and this data is hard to alter.
Ulmer testified that Kouri Richins told her that Eric had no history of drug use other than THC gummies
Key Evidence Introduced:
- Introduced via David Pimentel:
- Did not locate THC gummies.
- Did not locate drug paraphernalia.”
- Introduced via Pamela Ulmer:
- Hydrocodone was prescribed on 20/June/2016
- Did not locate drug paraphernalia.”
Key Testimonies & Evidence! (Day 3)
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Day 3 Summary:
Chelsea Gibson continued testimony as Lead Crime Scene Technician during cross-examination on Day 3
UT v. Kouri Richins Day 3. The focus was on scene documentation scope, item handling, and areas not photographed or searched. Court recessed early due to scheduling conflicts, with cross-examination set to continue on Day 4.
Summary Of Key Day 3 Testimonies:
Chelsea Gibson – Lead Crime Scene Technician, Responsible for photographing and documenting the residence on 4 March 2022.
Gibson acknowledged that she cannot testify to possible pills, if any, that were in the bottle.
Key Evidence Introduced:
- No new key evidence was presented for the day.
Key Testimonies & Evidence! (Day 4)
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Day 4 Summary:
Phase: Prosecution Case-in-Chief
Theme of the Day: Digital evidence authentication, pharmaceutical testing scope, and cooperating witness testimony.
Summary Of Key Day 4 Testimonies:
Chelsea Gibson – Lead Crime Scene Technician: Responsible for photographing and documenting the residence on 4 March 2022.
Cross Exam
•Gibson confirmed that found a sheet when asked if the materials collected would corroborate Richins CPR statements.
•Gibson testified that she collected a black jacket on the February [year not specified] search.
•Gibson confirmed that she didn’t personally note or searched the truck that Eric drove from the day of the murder to present day.
Brianna Peterson – Forensic Toxicologist: Reviewed toxicology data for the decedent.
Direct Exam
•Peterson testified that she screened for Oxycodone and other substances
•Peterson confirmed these substances were not positive after testing.
•Peterson testified that Cedal Fentanyl was detected at 29 ng/mL
•Peterson testified that Cedal Fentanyl is an illicit drug and not prescribed.
Cross Exam
•Peterson acknowledges that it’s a possibility that Peterson could have taken Fentanyl, had a drink, then taken Quetiapine.
Frank Root – Detective, Summit County Sheriff’s Office
Cross Exam
•Root testified that he collected inoperable phones from Grossman.
•Root testified that Grossman’s phones were operable at the time he had collected them.
•Root testified that Grossman informed him that the phones were inoperable because he had broken them.
Carmen Lauber – Detective, Summit County Sheriff’s Office
Direct Exam
Lauber testified that she was informed that they could get hold of Fentanyl; and, she was getting the drugs for Kouri.
Lauber testified that she contacted Kouri telling her it would be pricey; at a rate of $1000+. Kouri had informed her that she would leave the door open.
Lauber testified to the $1,300 cheque paid to her from Kouri Richins.
Lauber testified that when Crozier had reached out to her offering more drugs; she contacted Kouri that she has more drugs she has. Kouri told her she no longer needs them, her investor is done with them
Cross Exam
Lauber testified for the first time that Kouri told her to get Fentanyl when she told her about Crozier having substances. Carmen later confirmed she never told the detectives during her interviews [7] that she requested for Fentanyl after reading the interview transcripts.
Lauber confirms that she told the detectives that she made three purchases for Kouri [instead of four] after she was shown her transcripts interview.
Key Evidence Introduced:
- Introduced via Briana Peterson:
- Cedal Fentanyl is an illicit drug and not prescribed.
- Introduced via Carmen Lauber:
- Deleted text messages due to drug court restrictions.
- Admitted prior drug history and drug court participation.
- Confirmed seven prior interviews.
- Acknowledged prior omissions and inconsistencies.
- Named suppliers: Susan Koller, Robert Draper, Robert Crozier.
- Text messages introduced (Nicole Cummings communication).
- Facebook messages introduced (Robert Crozier communication).
- $1,300 cheque introduced.
Key Testimonies & Evidence! (Day 5)
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Day 5 Summary:
Phase: Prosecution Case-in-Chief
Key Events:
Procurement pathway presented (Lauber → Cummings → Crozier).
Fentanyl-specific request remains contested.
Pill identity ambiguity introduced.
Multiple immunity witnesses now before jury.
Credibility assessment central to prosecution’s sourcing theory.
Summary Of Key Day 5 Testimonies:
Continued – Carmen Lauber – Detective, Summit County Sheriff’s Office
Cross Exam
Former housekeeper for the defendant Carmen Lauber confirmed that she did search for Michael Jackson drug and found out it was Propofol. She added that she is not 100% sure if she said [in an interview with Ms. Whistler] that Kouri told her to get Fentanyl.
Lauber confirmed that Kouri never asked her for Fentanyl when asked the 2nd time and acknowledged that she does not know if Kouri killed Eric.
Robert Crozier – Drug Dealer
Anna Isbell – Knew of Kouri Richins
Cross Exam
Isbell testified that she overheard hearing the conversation where Kouri was trying to procure drugs. She also testified that she believed Kouri was asking for a muscle relaxer. Isbell additionally testified that she didn’t hear Kouri ask for Fentanyl.
Robert Crozier – Drug Dealer
Direct Exam
Crozier, the drug dealer that secured the Fentanyl allegely for Kouri Richins testified that Roxies were blues; it was slang for M30s.
Cross Exam
Crozier testified that the difference between Oxycontin and Oxycodone is that Oxycontins are stronger.
Key Evidence Introduced:
Introduced by Lauber
- Confirmed researching “Michael Jackson drug” and identifying propofol.
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