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Attorneys representing a Utah woman accused of killing her husband are pushing for a change in the trial’s location, citing concerns that local awareness of the case may compromise the chances of an unbiased jury.
Kouri Richins, a children’s book author and mother of three from Utah, faces charges for the alleged murder of her husband, Eric Richins. The case has attracted significant media coverage and public interest.
On Friday, defense lawyers submitted a motion asserting that the extensive publicity surrounding the case has made it nearly impossible to find an impartial jury within Summit County. According to jury questionnaires referenced in the filing, over 85% of prospective jurors are familiar with the case, with about 60% admitting to closely following developments.
The defense team argues that after eliminating jurors who have prior knowledge of the case or exhibit bias or other disqualifying issues, the potential jury pool is reduced to approximately 72 individuals. This number is significantly lower than what is typically necessary to assemble a jury and alternates for a felony trial.
In a recent court appearance, Kouri Richins, known for writing a children’s book about dealing with grief following her husband’s death, was seen consulting with her attorney, Kathy Nester. The case has captured widespread attention due to its tragic and controversial nature.
“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.
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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.