PARK CITY, Utah (Court TV) — The Utah author convicted of murder in the death of her husband faces sentencing on Wednesday, which would have been the victim’s 43rd birthday.
Kouri Richins listens to testimony during her murder trial. (Court TV)
Kouri Richins, 35, was convicted of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, forgery and insurance fraud in the death of Eric Richins, who died in the couple’s home in March 2022. The medical examiner determined that Eric Richins’ cause of death was a lethal dose of fentanyl, which prosecutors said was put into a cocktail he drank before his death.
At trial, prosecutors argued the defendant killed her husband because he was worth more to her dead than alive: she wanted his life insurance money to solve her debt problems and was involved in a relationship with a paramour.
Jurors who spoke about the trial after it ended said that they were shocked to learn that Kouri Richins authored a children’s book on grief after the murder. “Everyone felt like they were hit with a truck,” Juror No. 2, identified only as Laura, told ABC. “It was so odd and strange.”
Evidence presented at trial included emails showing that Kouri Richins did not write the book herself, and instead had hired a ghostwriter, with plans to hire another to write a second book.
Kouri Richins had sought to delay Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, with her attorneys arguing they needed additional time to prepare. Judge Richard Mrazik denied the motion.
Richins faces a sentence of either 25 years to life in prison or life without the possibility of parole.
