Kouri Richins Murder Trial Underway in Utah for Fentanyl Poisoning

PARK CITY, Utah (Azat TV) – The high-profile murder trial of Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three accused of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, with fentanyl, is currently underway in Summit County, Utah. As jury selection concludes and initial testimony is heard, prosecutors allege that Richins administered a lethal dose of the synthetic opioid in a Moscow mule drink to her husband in 2022, primarily motivated by substantial life insurance payouts.

Fentanyl Poisoning Allegations Take Center Stage

Kouri Richins, 35, faces charges of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, insurance fraud, and forgery. Prosecutors, led by Bradley Bloodworth, opened the trial by telling jurors that evidence would demonstrate Richins murdered her husband to inherit millions from his business and insurance policies. This, they claim, was to maintain a lavish lifestyle and pursue a new life with a boyfriend. Eric Richins died in March 2022 from a lethal dose of fentanyl. The prosecution’s central claim revolves around Kouri Richins allegedly adding the powerful synthetic opioid to a Moscow mule she prepared for her husband.

Defense Strategy: Circumstantial Evidence and Accusations

Richins has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her defense team, headed by attorney Kathryn Nester, has countered the prosecution’s narrative, asserting that their client is innocent and has been unfairly targeted by vindictive in-laws. Nester argued in her opening statement that Eric Richins may have been self-medicating chronic pain with illicit drugs, potentially obtained during a trip to Mexico weeks before his death. The defense also claims that a key prosecution witness has altered their testimony and that the overall evidence against Richins is largely circumstantial.

Trial Proceedings: Key Testimony and Evidence

The trial, now in its third day, is hearing testimony from various witnesses. On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Chelsea Gipson, a lead evidence technician with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, underwent questioning by defense attorney Nester. Gipson detailed the process of serving a search warrant at the Richins’ home on April 13, 2022, confirming that Kouri Richins was not present during the execution of the warrant. Discussion during Gipson’s testimony included the location and handling of hydrocodone bottles found in the home, the presence of blood on a sheet where Eric Richins was found, and questions about drug paraphernalia. A significant moment occurred when Nester inquired about recordings of ‘jail calls’ between Kouri and her family, prompting a sidebar between attorneys and a judicial instruction to the jury not to speculate about the defendant’s custody status.

Earlier in the trial, on Day 1 (February 23) and Day 2 (February 24), several other witnesses provided testimony. Jurors viewed bodycam video depicting Kouri Richins’ reaction to her husband’s death after she called 911. Eric Richins’ father, sister, and brother-in-law also testified about their observations of Kouri’s behavior that morning. Day 2 saw testimony from Cameron Larson of the Medical Examiner’s office, who observed Eric Richins’ body and found an empty bottle of Cock ‘n’ Bull ginger beer, an ingredient for Moscow mules. K9 officer David Pimentel located prescription drugs but no THC gummies, which Kouri Richins had suggested her husband might have taken. Advanced EMT Margaret Offret and Sgt. Andy Cernich described finding Eric Richins’ body in an unusual, rigid position, suggesting he had been deceased for some time before resuscitation efforts.

Beyond the Courtroom: A Children’s Book and Financial Charges

The case has garnered significant public attention, partly due to Kouri Richins’ actions following her husband’s death. In the months after Eric’s passing, she authored a children’s book titled ‘Are You With Me?’ aimed at helping children cope with grief. The book features a father with angel wings watching over his young son. Separately, Richins faces additional financial charges for allegedly taking out lines of credit on shared property without her husband’s knowledge, further complicating the legal proceedings.

The outcome of the Kouri Richins murder trial carries significant weight, not only for determining her guilt or innocence but also for shedding light on the complex interplay of alleged financial motives, drug-related deaths, and the legal system’s capacity to navigate highly emotional and publicly scrutinized cases.