Utah Mom Accused of Husband’s Murder Seeks Dismissal of Charges
Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three, who wrote a children’s book about grief and is now facing accusations of killing her husband, has asked a Summit County court to dismiss her charges. She claims that prosecutorial misconduct has made a fair trial impossible.
In May, Utah authorities charged Richins, aged 33, with aggravated murder and three counts of drug possession in connection with her husband Eric Richins’ fentanyl poisoning death in the previous year.
Richins’ attorney, Skye Lazaro, filed a motion alleging that the state violated her due process rights by falsely declaring her guilty of “witness tampering” and publicizing this claim. They used inadmissible evidence, including a police report, making a fair trial unattainable, according to the motion.
The motion centers on a letter found in Richins’ jail cell, dubbed the “Walk the Dog (WTD) Letter,” which instructs her brother to testify falsely about Eric’s involvement with drugs from Mexico. Prosecutors have argued that no such connection exists.
Richins’ attorney contends that the state did not properly file the letter and accuses the state of violating ethical standards. A photo of the torn envelope where the letter was found is included in the motion.
Kouri Richins, a mother trying to establish her real estate business, is accused of poisoning her husband to gain control of his life insurance policies worth over $1.9 million. Eric Richins had made his sister the beneficiary before his death, fearing for his life after previous poisoning attempts. Kouri allegedly closed a deal on a mansion after her husband’s death, hoping to flip it for profit.
In a strange turn of events, Kouri Richins wrote a children’s book about death and grief after her husband’s passing, which is listed on Amazon. The book aims to help children cope with loss and grief.
The case continues to unfold, with Kouri Richins maintaining her innocence and seeking a dismissal of the charges.