Kouri Richins’ murder trial begins nearly three years after arrest

PARK CITY, Utah (KUTV) — Kouri Richins, the Utah children’s book author accused of murdering her husband, will face a jury nearly three years after her arrest.

Richins was arrested in May of 2023, a year after her husband, Eric Richins, died in Summit County. She was accused of lacing his drink with fentanyl, a claim she and her family have repeatedly denied.

The trial will begin Monday at 8:30 a.m. with jury instruction and opening arguments.

The investigation began in March 2022 with Eric Richins’ death, but no arrests were made until the following year. During that time, Richins published a children’s book on grief titled “Are you with me?” which was dedicated to her husband.

The court process following her arrest has been marked by several delays from disputes over evidence, representation, and jury selection. Her defense repeatedly asked the court to move the trial to Salt Lake County, saying the excessive media attention would make it challenging to find jurors.

However, the judge denied their requests and a jury was selected in Summit County earlier this month.

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