Kouri Richins Murder Case

Day 9: Friends of Kouri Richins testify about marital complaints, events after husband’s death during murder trial

The jury trial for Kouri Richins, the Kamas woman accused of killing her husband and writing a children’s book about coping with grief, continues for day nine.

The first day of the trial saw testimony from the family members of Eric Richins, whom police allege Kouri Richins killed using fentanyl to obtain money. Kouri is being tried on aggravated murder, attempted criminal homicide, two counts of fraudulent insurance claims, and forgery.

Eric’s family members testify during day one of the trial. From left to right: Katie Richins-Benson, Eugene Richins, and Clint Benson.
Who’s who in the Kouri Richins murder trial?
During the first week of trial, first responders and law enforcement were called to the stand to testify about the night of Eric’s death. The lead crime scene technician testified regarding evidence from the scene, with additional testimony from investigators and forensic scientists.

The trial resumed Monday morning, and a retired law enforcement agent testified about what information was recovered from Kouri’s cell phone. Web searches, messages, and images recovered from her phone were displayed for the court.

Additionally, Carmen Lauber, the Richins’ former housekeeper who allegedly purchased fentanyl for Kouri, testified over two days of the trial. Additionally, Robert Crozier, who allegedly provided the drugs to Lauber, testified.
Robert “Josh” Grossman waits for the jury to enter during the murder trial of Kouri Richins on March 4, 2026.
On Wednesday, Kouri Richins’ alleged boyfriend testified at the murder trial, and texts exchanged between Kouri and Grossman were displayed for the court. Defense attorney Wendy Lewis then began the cross-examination of Grossman.

The trial continued on Thursday with testimony from a domestic relations attorney, phone call recordings from Kouri following Eric’s death, and testimony from several of Kouri’s friends.

One of Kouri’s friends recalled her saying that things would be better if Eric “were dead,” and another recalled Eric telling a “funny story” about Kouri trying to poison him on Valentine’s Day. A friend of Eric took the stand to testify about a concerning phone call he received from him that day.
What to know: Kouri Richins complete timeline in murder case

Domestic relations attorney

Marie Bramwell (left) testifies at the Kouri Richins (right) trial on March 5, 2026.

The first person to the stand was Marie Bramwell, an attorney for domestic relations with Gordon Law Group.

Bramwell claimed that she met with Kouri on May 3, 2021. While the two only had one in-person meeting, they exchanged email information. Bramwell emailed Kouri five times, and Kouri emailed Bramwell four times, from May 2021 to January 2022.

A copy of a check from Gordon Law Group paid to Kouri was presented to the court.
A copy of a check from Gordon Law Group paid to Kouri was presented to the court on March 5, 2026.

Defense attorney Wendy Lewis asked a few clarifying questions during the cross-examination and concluded questioning. Bramwell was released from her subpoena.

Day 8: Kouri Richins’ alleged boyfriend testifies at murder trial

Jail call objection

The prosecution requested that a jail call between Kouri and Ronnie Darden, Kouri’s brother, be played for the court. However, defense attorney Lewis objected to admitting the call as it was not coming through a witness.

Lewis and Prosecutor Lindsay Chervenak exited the courtroom to discuss the call, and the court entered a recess.

Following the recess, it was agreed that certain parts of the phone call would be redacted. In the played segments, Kouri says that she went in for a consultation, and asks, “Why is that so bad?” Ronnie Darden says that they might be trying to hold something against her. Kouri says that Eric did it first, and that anything she did, Eric did as well, so they cancel each other out.

During the call, she stated numerous times that she was “annoyed” and referenced asking someone else to testify.

Better if “he were dead”

Becky Lloyd testifies at the Kouri Richins trial on March 5, 2026.

After the phone call, the state called Becky Lloyd to the stand. Lloyd is an estimator for C&E Stone Masonry, Eric’s business. She met Eric and Kouri around 2017, and she knew Kouri as a neighbor and friend.

During a 2021 Christmas party for C&E Stone Masonry, Lloyd said that Richins spoke with her about her marriage to Eric. Lloyd stated that Kouri told her she “felt trapped,” and that it would be better if “[Eric] were dead.”

During cross-examination by the defense, an audio clip of Lloyd speaking with an investigator was played, in which she stated that she could not say for certain if Kouri commented on Eric being dead.

However, Lloyd then told the court that she later remembered the statement because what Kouri said was “memorable” to her. Lloyd stated that she would never tell the court anything that wasn’t true, according to her memory.

“No one has supplied words to me. I know that that happened,” Lloyd said when the prosecution asked a follow-up question. “…I don’t want to say it, but I know she said it.”

Lloyd stated that she didn’t believe Kouri was joking when she said that she thought it would be better if Eric were dead. Questioning concluded, and she stepped down from the stand but was not released from her subpoena.
Day 7: Forensic accountant reviews late husband’s estate during Kouri Richins murder trial

Mirror Lake Diner receipt

Gabriel Morin testifies at the Kouri Richins trial on March 5, 2026.

Gabriel Morin, the owner of Mirror Lake Diner in Kamas, was called to the stand.

During Morin’s testimony, a receipt from February 14, 2022, was shown to the court. Notably, investigators believe that Kouri attempted to poison her husband on that day because Eric fell sick after eating a meal purchased by Kouri.

The name on the receipt was “Corey,” since it was a phone order, and the restaurant uses names to track orders. The order, which included a Greek omelet and a bagel sandwich, was called in at 8:55 a.m. and was picked up at 9:07 a.m.
A receipt from Mirror Lake Diner on February 14, 2022, was presented to the court on March 5, 2026.
Kathy Nester, with the defense, asked several questions about the food and how the orders are packaged. The questioning concluded, and Morin exited the stand.

Eric’s alleged call with Kaze

Joshua Kaze testifies at the Kouri Richins trial on March 5, 2026.
After a brief recess, Joshua Kaze took the stand to testify. Kaze met Eric around 2014. They became friends, worked together, played on the same recreational sports teams, and went on hunting trips with one another. Kaze described Eric as having a “magnetic personality” and being dependable.

While testifying, he claimed that he never saw Eric use illicit drugs, prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medications. He also never observed any signs that Eric used drugs.

On February 14, 2022, Kaze received a call from Eric. Investigators believe that on this day, Kouri attempted to poison Eric, but he ultimately survived. Kaze stated that the call was unusual because it felt “somber,” unlike any other call he had with Eric.

“It was very outside the norm,” Kaze said.

During the phone conversation, Kaze asked Eric if he was okay, if he was going to go to the hospital, and what he was planning to do.

The next month, following Eric’s death, Kaze discussed that phone call with Eric’s business partner, Cody Wright. He had a similar call with Eric on that day.

The defense had no questions, and Kaze was released from his subpoena.
Day 6: Evidence from Kouri Richins’ phone reviewed as murder trial enters second week

Chelsea Barney testifies

Chelsea Barney testifies at the Kouri Richins trial on March 5, 2026.
Before a recess, Chelsea Barney was called to the stand. Barney has been friends with Kouri for about 20 years and used to speak with Kouri “all of the time.”

Barney shared that in early October 2020, Kouri told her that Eric was mad at her and took away her credit cards because she took out a loan on a home she wanted to renovate.

Then, an October 14, 2020, text exchange was presented to the court. The texts showed Kouri telling Barney that the loan she took out was $250,000 and that the disagreement over it with Eric was “getting out of hand.” Kouri also told Barney that if she died, “Eric did it.”
An October 14, 2020, text exchange between Kouri and Barney was presented to the court on March 5, 2026.
Day 5: Cross-examination of Housekeeper continues in Kouri Richins murder trial
Barney stated that Kouri told her she ended up paying Eric back after the renovation.

Shortly after the text conversation was displayed, two additional text conversations between Barney and Kouri were presented to the court. In a March 15, 2022, conversation, Kouri told Barney about the morning she discovered Eric was dead.

In a May 7, 2022, conversation, Kouri told Barney that her attorneys had been talking to her about poisoning. Barney responds that it’s crazy that investigators jumped to murder. Kouri stated that Eric’s autopsy would be completed soon.

Jumping back in time, texts from March 15, 2022, are shown, where Kouri says that she needs to get information to her attorney and has hired a law firm that represents the Utah Jazz. She writes that it will cost her around $100,000, but that she will win the case.

After a recess for lunch, questioning continued. Barney testified that she was at the Richins’ house on March 6, 2022, days after Eric’s death. She recalled that Kouri was upset because of an argument with her sister-in-law, and that she was trying to get Eric’s will out of the safe.

Kouri had just been told that Katie Richins-Benson, Eric’s sister, was in charge of everything and was “hysterical and upset.”
Day 4: Key witness who allegedly provided Kouri Richins fentanyl testifies at trial
Purchasing a home from Kouri Richins

Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth then moved on to asking about the home that Barney purchased from Kouri. Barney stated that Kouri presented herself as being successful in her real estate business and was very generous.

Kouri purchased a house to flip, and allowed Barney to move into it with her husband and children. She testified that she was unaware that Kouri was in financial distress.

Barney paid a down payment of $45,000, which she said was her life savings at the time. She stated that Kouri put the money toward a mortgage, and Barney would pay the mortgage every month, although the loan was in Kouri’s name.

The prosecution showed the warranty deed for the house, signed on Jan. 6, 2023, and Barney is listed as the sole owner as the borrower or trustor, and Kouri is the beneficiary or lender. The dollar amount for the deed is $370,000.

Despite signing the deed, Barney says that the document was never recorded with Wasatch County. She thought the house was hers and paid the mortgage, but when Kouri was arrested, learned that a loan was taken out on her house.

Barney contacted the county for copies of the paperwork, which is when she learned it was never filed. She stayed in the house until September 2024, when the new owners kicked her out, testifying that Kouri had given the deed to someone else rather than allowing it to be foreclosed.

The prosecution wants to admit a piece of evidence, but the defense objects. After a sidebar goes on for a few minutes, the judge excuses the jury for a short break because watching the sidebar “must be like watching paint dry.”

The attorneys and judge discuss redactions of messages before they can be admitted into evidence. They come to an agreement on what to remove, and the jury is invited back in.
Day 3: Kouri Richins murder trial continues with further cross-examination
Kouri and Barney discuss the search warrant affidavit

Text from Kouri to Barney on June 17, 2022.

Text from Kouri to Barney on June 17, 2022.

Text from Kouri to Barney on June 17, 2022.

Text from Kouri to Barney on June 17, 2022.

Text from Barney to Kouri on June 17, 2022.

Text from Kouri to Barney on June 17, 2022.

Text from Barney to Kouri on June 17, 2022.

Text from Barney to Kouri on June 17, 2022.

Text from Kouri to Barney on June 17, 2022.

Text from Barney to Kouri on June 17, 2022.

Text from Barney to Kouri on June 17, 2022.

Text from Barney to Kouri on June 17, 2022.

Text from Kouri to Barney on June 17, 2022.

Text from Kouri to Barney on June 17, 2022.

The prosecution admits texts from June 17, 2022, where Kouri and Barney discuss the affidavit for the search warrant that was served at her home. She tells Barney that she got the document, and Katie and Amy (Eric’s sisters) are the reason it was served.

Kouri sends a copy to Barney and explains that her sisters-in-law told investigators that she had been trying to kill Eric for years, and he was going to divorce her. As Barney reads the document, Kouri states that it’s full of lies and that Eric didn’t have anything to do with the Midway property.

Barney notes a mention of the sandwich that Kouri gave Eric on Valentine’s Day, saying, “What would you have put in the sandwich for him to break out in hives?” Kouri says that she bought the sandwiches from a place in Mirror Lake, and that Eric got sick in Greece because the restaurant mixed alcohol into his drink, although he ordered a non-alcoholic one.

Barney agrees that those incidents were due to other causes, like Eric’s Lyme Disease or Crohn’s Disease medications. Kouri tells Barney that she’s going to sue Eric’s sisters for defamation, and she’s not going to let them see her kids.
Day 2: Kouri Richins murder trial continues with testimony from first responders, medical examiner
Phone calls after Eric’s death
Transcript of the call between Kouri, Barney, and Knudsen.
The prosecution then admits a phone call between Kouri, Barney, and Eric’s best friend, Bryce Knudsen. The call begins with Kouri telling Bryce that she’s in a lawsuit with the Richins family, and understands that he is “100% loyal to them.”

Kouri tells Knudsen that she doesn’t care about the money, but she wants to fight for her house. She states that she wants all the life insurance money to go into her childrens’ trust, but the house is hers, and she will make money back to keep it.

During the call, Kouri mentions the money she took from Eric, saying that after that, he never “gave me a f— chance.” She begins crying as she describes that the trust is taking her house from her, and Knudsen says that he knew things were going to get bad, and is choosing to be neutral.

Barney then joins the call, stating that Kouri told her the family can have all of the insurance money if she’s allowed to keep the house. She tells Knudsen that the Richins family believes Kouri was involved in Eric’s death, and Knudsen responds that it’s “a little far-fetched.”

Kouri and Barney explain that Kouri won’t be attending Eric’s celebration of life at the advice of her lawyer and because Eric’s sister was saying she was a bad mom, and the family will just make her look bad. He says that he understands.
Opening arguments delivered in trial of Kouri Richins, family members take the stand
He asks Kouri to call him back later, and the second call between them is then played for the court.

In this call, Knudsen tells Kouri that he feels bad for her, but that he can’t get involved in the dispute. He says that Eric would call him to vent, and he would tell Eric that they should get divorced.

Kouri pushes back, saying that for the last two years, she and Eric were doing well. Eric was working on his anger management, and they were going to counseling and going on dates again. Knudsen replies that Eric’s sisters only heard about the bad things between them.
Transcript of the call between Kouri, Barney, and Knudsen.
Knudsen assures Kouri that Eric loved her and their children, and that he hates what’s happening now because of Eric’s trust. Kouri says that she’s being charged with assault, and the defense stops the call recording to object.

After a brief sidebar, the judge explains that the charge is in reference to civil litigation and not criminal charges. He asks the jury not to take the civil litigation into account.

The phone call continues, and Kouri tells Knudsen that she had a conversation with the medical examiner. She says that Eric tested positive for COVID-19 even though he had it months ago, and mentions that she and Eric are against vaccines and against COVID.

Kouri complains about the medical examiner testing Eric’s lungs and insists that he did not die of COVID. She tells Knudsen that Eric was in great condition.
Jury selection completed early as Kouri Richins trial draws near
Knudsen says he’s sorry for what Kouri is going through, and that if Eric were still here today, he would probably change the trust. She reiterates that she just wants her house, and that the family won’t do anything until the autopsy report comes back.

While discussing the autopsy, Knudsen says that if Kouri wanted to kill Eric, she would have “shot him in the head” years ago. Kouri says she’s asking everyone to write letters of support after Eric’s sister called her a bad mom.

“I lost my husband, my babies lost their dad,” Kouri says when Knudsen says the family is struggling after the loss of Eric.

Barney joins the conversation to say that Eric’s sisters are hurting Kouri and focused on money, and that she doesn’t understand why they want the money when Eric left behind his wife and children. Kouri says they can have all the money.

The phone call is finished playing, and more text messages are displayed for the court. They depict a conversation between Kouri and Barney after Kouri goes to Taylorsville to get Eric’s death certificate on June 6, 2022.

Kouri says that they found a trace amount of fentanyl, and the manner of death is undetermined. Barney says that “it looks like with the silicosis, covid and then fentanyl, it just got his lungs.” Kouri says she thinks it’s all over, and Barney asks if investigators know where he got the fentanyl from.

The defense had no questions for Barney, and she was released from the stand but remains under subpoena.
Attorneys for Kouri Richins release statement ahead of jury trial

Best friend of Kouri testifies

The prosecution called its next witness, Allie Staking, to the stand. Staking grew up with Kouri and said they first met in junior high school. She is one of Kouri’s best friends, and they speak frequently.

Staking and Kouri attended a “Finding True Self” retreat together in Sedona, AZ, in February 2021. While there, they both received an assignment to write their life story in the third person. The prosecution shows Staking the assignment that Kouri wrote, and Staking testifies that she didn’t see it then, but recognizes the logo of the retreat.

When asked if it appeared to be Kouri’s writing, Staking says she thinks so. After some discussion about whether she can confirm the writing is Kouri’s, the defense objects. Following a brief sidebar, the judge denies the entry of the assignment.

The prosecution moves on to ask Staking if she was aware of Kouri’s business, and Staking responded yes and that she believed it to be a successful business. When asked, Staking said that she was familiar with Josh Grossman, and Kouri told her that they were having an affair in June 2020.
Kouri Richins sought fentanyl from multiple sources before husband’s death, new evidence claims
Following a sidebar, the prosecutor, Bloodworth, asked Staking if she had a conversation about “what happened on Valentine’s Day.” Eric told Staking and some friends in front of Kouri that she had “tried to poison him” in a joking way.

Staking said that they were laughing and were poking fun at Kouri. After Eric told the story, Staking recalled that Kouri clarified that it was an allergic reaction.

After a brief discussion between the attorneys and the judge, the full unredacted writing from the retreat was admitted into evidence.

Kouri Richins’ life story, written at a retreat in 2021.

Kouri Richins’ life story, written at a retreat in 2021.

Kouri Richins’ life story, written at a retreat in 2021.

Kouri Richins’ life story, written at a retreat in 2021.

Kouri Richins’ life story, written at a retreat in 2021.

Kouri Richins’ life story, written at a retreat in 2021.

Kouri Richins’ life story, written at a retreat in 2021.

In it, Kouri writes about her childhood, saying that she moved a lot as a child, and that her parents were divorced after her father fell asleep at the wheel and hit a police officer. She says her mother has a gambling addiction.

The letter then details when Kouri met Eric, and she says that even though the relationship was rocky, she was excited to have a baby with him. She continued trying to find ways to be happy, Kouri wrote, until she found out that Eric had an “emotional affair.”

She concludes the letter that she is “exhausted from years of hearing ‘your [sic] selfish, your [sic] not enough, you need me’ from her husband.” She says she is ready to open her heart and find happiness that’s already there.
Children’s author accused of murder allegedly had history of trying to poison husband

Cross-examination of Staking

Allie Staking testifies at the Kouri Richins trial on March 5, 2026.
Defense attorney Lewis then approached for the cross-examination. She asks about a trip that Staking and her family went on with the Richins family in 2018. They went to Hawaii, and on the trip, Kouri found out that Eric had hidden THC gummies in her suitcase.

Staking said Kouri was upset, but she recalled it being a funny story and that Eric found it hilarious at the time. Lewis asked if Staking had taken any of those gummies, and Staking responded not on that trip, but that she had in the past with the Richins.

Staking did not take the THC gummies on that occasion because she was told they were bad, and previously made Kouri very sick. She testified that she was aware the gummies were all being purchased through the same person, but never personally bought them.

Lewis moved on to ask how Staking learned that Eric had died. A friend called her on the day of his death, Staking said. She recalled crying and then booking a flight so she could arrive the next day.

Staking came into town on March 5, 2022. She recalls that Kouri was “distraught and grieving.” She didn’t find Kouri’s behavior unusual, and there was an informal celebration of life for Eric that evening, and the defense entered a photo from that night.
A photo captured on March 5, 2022, following Eric’s death.
The following day, Staking testified that Kouri was trying to get into the safe to see Eric’s will, but didn’t know the code. She contacted a locksmith, but Eric’s sister, Amy, stopped the locksmith. Staking recalled Kouri crying and very upset because she couldn’t get into the safe.

Lewis revisited when Staking was told the story about Kouri “poisoning” Eric. She said that Eric did not seem upset and was joking, and that he didn’t seem afraid. Staking said they teased him and told him not to eat what Kouri gives him.

The defense had no further questions, and the prosecution stepped forward to ask some follow-up questions.

Prosecutor Bloodworth asked about why Eric hiding gummies in Kouri’s luggage was funny, and Staking says it was funny only because Kouri didn’t know. Bloodworth asked if anyone had taken gummies during the informal celebration of life. Staking said she doesn’t know.

When asked if Knudsen took off his pants during the celebration, Staking responded “probably,” but said the photo was taken before that happened because he was still dressed. A photo is admitted into evidence that shows Kouri and another woman in the kitchen.
An image from the informal celebration of life for Eric Richins on March 5, 2022.
The prosecution entered an image from the celebration of life into evidence. After another brief sidebar, Bloodworth had no further questions. Lewis asks about the celebration of life, and Staking responds that they were trying to keep it “light and happy” for the children.

Staking was released from the stand.

The trial wrapped up for the evening and will continue on Monday, March 9. There is no court tomorrow.