In a dramatic twist to a high-profile case, the legal team representing a Utah woman accused of murder is pushing for a change of venue, contending that the local community is too entrenched in the story for an unbiased jury to be selected. The case in question involves Kouri Richins, a mother of three and author of a children’s book, who is charged with the murder of her husband, Eric Richins. The allegations have captivated the public and the media alike, raising concerns about the potential for a fair trial.
On Friday, defense lawyers submitted a motion highlighting how the intense coverage of the case in Summit County has made it virtually impossible to find impartial jurors. The motion referenced jury questionnaires, which indicated that over 85% of potential jurors were aware of the case, and about 60% had been closely following the developments.
The defense team further argued that after filtering out those who have prior knowledge of the case or express bias, the pool of eligible jurors dwindles significantly. They estimate that only around 72 potential jurors would remain, a number that falls short of the typical requirement for a felony trial, which includes the selection of alternates.
This challenge is underscored in a recent court appearance where Kouri Richins, who penned a book on dealing with grief following her husband’s death, was photographed consulting with her attorney, Kathy Nester. The image, captured during a 2024 hearing, serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding the case.
In their argument, the defense stated, “With a jury pool of less than 100 jurors, it will be nearly impossible for Ms. Richins to receive a fair trial by a jury of her peers.” As the legal proceedings continue, the question of whether impartiality can be achieved remains at the forefront of this unfolding legal drama.
“With a jury pool of less than 100 jurors it will be nearly impossible for Ms. Richins to receive a fair trial by a jury of her peers,” the defense wrote.
The filing also warns that some jurors may not fully realize how familiar they are with the case until specific evidence is discussed in court. Defense attorneys said referencing certain details, including a document referred to as the “walk the dog letter,” could trigger additional jurors to recognize the case during jury selection, further shrinking the pool.
To seat a jury of eight with four alternates, the defense notes, the court must qualify at least 43 jurors, something attorneys argue is unlikely given the number of disqualifications already identified.
The venue request marks the second defense motion filed in the past week, as jury selection approaches. In a separate motion filed last week, Richins’ attorneys accused members of the prosecution team of witness intimidation, alleging a key witness was threatened with arrest and jail time if she did not cooperate with investigators.
Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three who wrote a children’s book about coping with grief after her husband’s death and was later accused of fatally poisoning him, looks on during a court hearing in 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, Pool)
Richins has pleaded not guilty and denies killing her husband.
Prosecutors allege Richins poisoned her husband with a cocktail laced with illicit fentanyl while the couple was celebrating at their home in March 2022.Â
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A medical examiner later determined Eric Richins had more than five times the lethal amount of fentanyl in his system. Charging documents also state his gastric fluid contained 16,000 ng/ml of quetiapine, an antipsychotic medication sometimes used as a sleep aid.
Authorities claim the fatal poisoning was not the first attempt. Court records allege Richins tried to poison her husband weeks earlier on Valentine’s Day 2022 by slipping fentanyl into his favorite sandwich. Eric Richins reportedly broke out in hives and struggled to breathe after eating the sandwich, used his son’s EpiPen and took Benadryl before falling asleep for hours. He survived the incident.
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Utah author Kouri Richins allegedly tried to steal her husband’s life insurance benefits before his death in March 2022. (KPCW via AP/ family handout)
Prosecutors allege Richins killed her husband as part of a plan to collect millions of dollars in life insurance proceeds. Court documents say she purchased multiple life insurance policies totaling nearly $2 million, later changing the beneficiary to herself without her husband’s authorization. Authorities say Eric Richins discovered the change and switched the beneficiary back to his business partner.
Investigators also allege Richins planned to use the insurance money to finish and flip a $2 million Wasatch County mansion, an investment Eric Richins’ family said he did not approve of.
Richins was arrested in May 2023 and later gained national attention after publishing a children’s book about grief following her husband’s death.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Feb. 10, with trial set to start Feb. 23 before Judge Richard Mrazik. The judge has not yet ruled on the defense motion to change venue.
Kathy Nester, one of Richins’ defense attorneys, is also representing Tyler Robinson, the defendant charged in a separate, unrelated Utah criminal case stemming from the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Robinson is scheduled to appear in court this week.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
