A Utah jury found Kouri Richins guilty of killing her husband by lacing his Moscow Mule cocktail with fentanyl, concluding a 15-day trial in Third District Court in Park City.
Background
Eric Richins died in March 2022 after his wife allegedly prepared him a Moscow Mule containing approximately five times the lethal amount of fentanyl. The marriage had unraveling significantly before the death, according to charging documents. In 2020, Eric Richins discovered what investigators described as ongoing abuse and misuse of his finances by the defendant.
Following that discovery, Eric Richins removed Kouri Richins as the beneficiary from his life insurance policy and transferred his company interest and residence to his sister. The financial rift apparently continued despite the separation attempts.
Prosecutors presented evidence during the trial that Kouri Richins was having an affair at the time of the murder. Her boyfriend testified during the proceedings.
After her husband's death, Kouri Richins authored a children's book titled "Are You Going to Die?" dealing with how children cope with the sudden loss of a parent.
The Charges
The jury deliberated for less than three hours before returning guilty verdicts on all major charges. In addition to finding Richins guilty of killing her husband, the jury also convicted her of attempted murder, insurance fraud and forgery.
The case represents what prosecutors described as a calculated killing driven by financial motive. The defendant is also facing separate charges related to lines of credit she allegedly took out on properties she and her husband owned without his knowledge. A separate trial will be held on those additional financial charges.
Key Takeaways
- Kouri Richins was convicted of killing her husband Eric in March 2022 with a fentanyl-laced Moscow Mule
- The jury deliberated less than three hours before finding her guilty after a 15-day trial
- She was also convicted of attempted murder, insurance fraud and forgery
- Eric Richins discovered financial abuse by his wife in 2020 and removed her as beneficiary from his life insurance
- Prosecutors said she was having an affair at the time of the murder; her boyfriend testified
- A separate trial will be held on additional financial fraud charges
What's Next
Richins is scheduled to be sentenced on May 13. The separate trial on additional financial charges related to lines of credit taken out without her husband's knowledge has not yet been scheduled.