Utah Author Found Guilty
A Utah mother who published a children's book about grief after the sudden death of her husband has been found guilty of his murder.
A jury found that Kouri Richins killed her husband in March 2022 by poisoning him with a fentanyl-laced drink. The jury deliberated the case for about three hours before reaching its verdict on Monday.
During the trial, the court heard how Richins, 35, had racked up millions of dollars in debt, had taken out life insurance policies on her husband, and was having an extramarital affair.
Prosecutors called more than 40 witnesses, including the woman who said she sold the drugs used to kill Eric Richins.
Richins was also found guilty of fraudulently claiming insurance benefits after her husband's death at their home outside the ski resort town of Park City. Prosecutors said during the trial that she falsely believed she would inherit his estate worth more than $4 million.
The most serious charge, aggravated murder, carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
After the verdict, Summit County prosecutor Brad Bloodworth stated, She wanted to leave Eric Richins but did not want to leave his money.
