topic Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial? in Community Chat

Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

simplyfriends — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:02:12 GMT

They are having closing arguments today. Not sure if we can discuss this.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

Mz iMac — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:08:57 GMT

Not sure if we can discuss this.

@simplyfriends HUH?

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

nwbabs — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:22:17 GMT

@simplyfriends I was not familiar with the name or trial, but just read a few articles including the most recent one in The Salt Lake Tribune. I gather you have been keeping up, so what do you think?

Thanks for mentioning, as I followed the Murdaugh Murders in South Carolina and various other cases over the years. Fascinated by true crime cases. Cheers.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

antlor — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:25:52 GMT

I'm pretty new to this forum so not sure if it's allowed either. But oh my gosh yes, I've been following. Big day for sure.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

simplyfriends — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:32:21 GMT

@nwbabs I’ve watched some of the trial. I think it might be a mistrial. There’s lots of evidence that was presented but some of the witnesses are iffy. The drug dealer had to be called back several times. She was impeached the first time for lying and then she changed her story after she was told by the lead detective ”we need something concrete from you so that we can convict Kouri of murder” Drug dealer came up with a new story and was given a free pass out of jail ticket. Several other witnesses that were paid big bucks to find incriminating evidence (private investigator hired by deceased’s family). I think she’s guilty but it may be a mistrial. I’ll let the jury decide.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

Jk9 — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:35:57 GMT

I've watched the trial. I have mixed feelings about the sufficiency of evidence that she gave the victim fentanyl. That the victim could have taken contaminated thc gummies is possible and I don't trust the drug dealer's testimony. Watching her initial interview concerned me a lot. I was definitely surprised that the defense didn't put on a case.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

nwbabs — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:51:12 GMT

Thanks for the additional info @simplyfriends

The situation reeks of nefarious doings. The outcome will be interesting.

@simplyfriends wrote:
@nwbabsI’ve watched some of the trial. I think it might be a mistrial. There’s lots of evidence that was presented but some of the witnesses are iffy. The drug dealer had to be called back several times. She was impeached the first time for lying and then she changed her story after she was told by the lead detective ”we need something concrete from you so that we can convict Kouri of murder” Drug dealer came up with a new story and was given a free pass out of jail ticket. Several other witnesses that were paid big bucks to find incriminating evidence (private investigator hired by deceased’s family). I think she’s guilty but it may be a mistrial. I’ll let the jury decide.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

simplyfriends — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:12:46 GMT

@Mz iMac. Sorry you had to scratch your head. I wasn’t sure if it had already been discussed and poofed due to being argumentative. I’m not here everyday like some of you.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

Mz iMac — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:15:56 GMT

@simplyfriends Gotcha. Thought you meant the subject matter was taboo or something.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

Nancy Drew — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:12:24 GMT

I have been watching some of it. The lawyers on both sides are not great. The judge is fantastic! I would vote guilty. The state proved their case IMO.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

Kachina624 — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:14:41 GMT

I watch newscasts all day but have never heard this name. Must be a local thing.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

Nancy Drew — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:26:55 GMT

If you are in the true crime social media world it's one of the bigger trials for this year.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

occasionalrain — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:48:21 GMT

There was ample coverage on the news at the time but it's been awhile since then.

I expect her to be found guilty.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

simplyfriends — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:05:53 GMT

@occasionalrain Right, I think the murder was in 2022 in Idaho. She was arrested in 2023 and has been in jail ever since while the prosecutors put together a case.

Looks like the jury is deliberating.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

RaisedOnQVC — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 22:04:09 GMT

It’s definitely a national story. I first heard about it on Dateline. Then about Kouri’s children’s book on the Today Show. As for her guilt or innocence, I say Google searches don’t lie. And her motive was money. I applaud Eric’s sisters for trusting their gut and launching the investigation. Whether 8 people can all agree is another matter. IMO

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

occasionalrain — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:11:45 GMT

For those who don't remember, she's the woman who wrote, used ghost writer, a children's book to help her three children cope with their father's death. She appeared on TV promoting it.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

simplyfriends — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:30:20 GMT

@RaisedOnQVC You mentioned google searches don't lie - I understand what your're saying but anyone could have used her phone to do the google searches. She said she didn't do them (of course) but if she didn't who did? Could have been Eric, could have been one of 2 sisters who hated her from the day she married Eric (at least that's what it appeared). One of the sisters (Katie) said that she and Eric talked every day and that she was trustee of their home that had been in the family for a long time) and she was allowing Eric to live there. She was involved with every move Eric made it seemed. Also, the sister paid a private investigator $100,000 to dig into her affair etc. By the way, Eric was also having an affair and was a frequent user of steroids and pain killers. I don't envy the jury, they will make the right decision. Just wish it didn't take so long (3 years) to bring these cases to trial. Seems a lot of testimony is witnesses trying to remember what happened.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

RaisedOnQVC — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 22:08:43 GMT

I wouldn’t want to be on that jury. But I would like to be a fly on the wall to hear how they sort it all out. Next question - IF she is found guilty, on what grounds will they appeal. Seems like the judge “leaned” more towards the prosecution. We’ll just have to be patient!

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

Klimt — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 22:08:52 GMT

Eric Richins was murdered on 3/4/22, in Iowa.

Re: Anyone watching the Kouri Richens trial?

Etoile308 — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 22:30:43 GMT

I found the defendant so unlikable I really didn't want to follow this case.

I admit I had already made up my mind. I think when someone tells a friend that he thinks his wife has been trying to poison him, then he dies of an overdose it adds weight to my judgment.

From what I remember there was a pre-nup that would not benefit her in a divorce, a record of scamming, a forged POA, and I'm sure other things came up during the trial.

My sympathies go to Eric's family and those children.