LIVE UPDATES | Day 12 of Kouri Richins murder trial

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three boys, is accused of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, in 2022. She is on trial in Summit County, Utah, on charges of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, insurance fraud and forgery.

Today is the 12th day of the trial. It is scheduled to begin today at 8:30 a.m. East Idaho News will be posting live written updates all day. Please excuse typos. You can watch the livestream here. The most recent updates are at the top of this page.

4:44 p.m. Judge says we are going to pause for the day. Questioning will happen tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. Join me tonight at 7 p.m. for “Courtroom Insider” on the East Idaho News YouTube channel for a recap on what happened today.

4:41 p.m. Kouri is rubbing her forehead. Her eyes are closed and she has her fingers up to her eyes.

4:37 p.m. Nester asks about the gifs found on Kouri’s phone the day Eric died. O’Driscoll says the gifs were accessed on his device. Nester asks that O’Driscoll be shown an exhibit. They are texts between Eric and Kouri on March 3, 2022. Judge asks for sidebar.

4:34 p.m. Nester asks how many pills went to Kouri each time. He says 15-30. Nester asks if O’Driscoll gave Carmen rides to meetings with her attorneys. He said they did a few times if she needed their help.

4:32 p.m. Nester asks if any pills were tested in Carmen’s house. O’Driscoll says that would be a better question for Ms. Gipson. She handled all the evidence. Before Eric’s death, he was on a hunting trip to Mexico. O’Driscoll says a Google search was found on Eric’s phone the night he died, checking to see how far it was from Utah to Mexico.

4:29 p.m. Nester asks if any of the pills that Carmen gave to Kouri were ever recovered and tested. O’Driscoll says no. Nester asks if he can say what time Eric died. O’Driscoll says, “I don’t think anybody can.”

4:27 p.m. Nester asks how many warrants were served on Kouri’s home. He says around ten. Nester asks if any fentanyl was recovered during the ten search warrants. He says anything recovered that may have contained fentanyl was sent to the state lab. Nester asks if any cups, straws, glasses were found that had fentanyl on them. He says no.

4:25 p.m. Nester asks if O’Driscoll ever spoke with the realtor of the Midway mansion home. He says he doesn’t know who that is. Nester asks if O’Driscoll went to the people who did the closing of the home and find out if Kouri went. O’Driscoll says he doesn’t know anything about realty. Nester asks if the closing documents were signed via DocuSign or in-person. O’Driscoll says the investigation into the fraud and home issues were done by the prosecutor, not him.

4:23 p.m. Nester asks if drug dealing was still going on between Kouri and Carmen after Eric died. O’Driscoll is aware that there was one drug deal between them after Eric passed. Nester asks if Carmen did any work the week she got a check from Kouri. Carmen says she had done some work for Kouri, but as far as the week she got the check, O’Driscoll isn’t sure.

4:21 p.m. O’Driscoll says he was the lead investigator, but he was not the only one making decisions. Nester asks if they ever found out if Eric was around the Midway house when Carmen left drugs there. O’Driscoll says that’s a broad date range and he does not know.

4:19 p.m. Nester asks what O’Driscoll knows about the whereabouts of Eric on Feb. 14. “You can not tell this jury what Mr. Richins did on the day he was allegedly attempted to be murdered?” Prosecution objects. Judge tells Nester to ask a more precise question. Nester re-asks the question and says O’Driscoll doesn’t know where Eric was on the day he died. O’Driscoll says he can consult with someone on their team because he doesn’t retain all of that information.

4:14 p.m. Nester asks if O’Driscoll investigated Eric’s whereabouts on Feb. 14, 2022. Chris Kotrodimos, the cell phone expert did. Nester asks if O’Driscoll received information from Kotrodimos about Eric’s whereabouts on that day. “I believe so. The truth is I don’t remember 100% for sure if and when I knew about location data from Eric’s device.”

4:12 p.m. Nester says within days of Carmen Lauber agreeing that fentanyl was involved, Kouri Richins was arrested. O’Driscoll says yes. Nester asks if the hydrocodone bottle was ever located. O’Driscoll says it’s been a few locations, but the sheriff’s office doesn’t currently have it.

4:09 p.m. Nester asks if the first people to mention fentanyl in the interview with Carmen was law enforcement. He says yes, they told her that Eric died of a fentanyl overdose. Nester asks about the phrase “you’re the biggest piece” that was said to Carmen. O’Driscoll says Carmen said something like, “Can you just put all the pieces together” and they told her she’s the biggest piece and “you hold all the cards.”

4:06 p.m. Nester asks if any fentanyl was located in Carmen’s house. No. Nester asks O’Driscoll if anyone asked Carmen if she was under the influence during the jailhouse interview. He doesn’t remember. Nester asks if Carmen denied ever being asked by Kouri Richins for fentanyl. Yes, she did. Carmen’s daughter overdosed on fentanyl and she didn’t mess with it.

4:02 p.m. Nester asks if O’Driscoll was aware that she had a previous interview with Det. Woody. He was aware. Nester asks about an interview O’Driscoll did with one of Eric’s friends, named Jake Sorensen.

3:59 p.m. O’Driscoll asked about his interview with Chelsea Barney at the sheriff’s office. O’Driscoll did not interview her at the sheriff’s office, but he spoke with her at her Heber home. It was in April 2023, before Kouri was arrested. Nester asks if O’Driscoll told her he had evidence that she and Kouri had spoken the night of Eric’s death. O’Driscoll says there was interest in their communication the night of Eric’s death. It appeared Chelsea and Kouri texted every day. Then there was a gap between March 2-4. O’Driscoll asked Chelsea why there was a gap. She produced documents from her cell carrier and it matched up. O’Driscoll noticed an unusual gap of communication and he thought maybe messages had been deleted.

3:56 p.m. When he first became the lead investigator, O’Driscoll remembers applying for a search warrant for Kouri Richins. Eric’s medical records had already been obtained. Nester asks about O’Driscoll interviewing Kouri. Bloodworth objects and says it’s beyond the scope. Nester asks about Kouri’s cell phone being extracted.

3:53 p.m. Nester asks O’Driscoll about the “trash rip” at Carmen Lauber’s house around Feb. 1, 2023. This was before he was the lead investigator. Nester asks about the drug paraphernalia found in Carmen’s house and if they were tested. Only meth and heroin were recovered in the garbage, but no fentanyl, Nester suggests. At the end of March, O’Driscoll’s team got a GPS tracker warrant for Carmen’s vehicle.

3:51 p.m. Nester asks if Cody came and picked up the work truck within a few days of Eric’s death. O’Driscoll says he’s not personally aware of it, but he was in the courtroom when Cody testified. Nester asks if the walk the dog letter was ever delivered to her mom, brother, lawyer, anybody. O’Driscoll doesn’t believe so.

3:49 p.m. Nester refers to the part of the letter that says, “Eric told Ronney he keeps an allergy pill bottle in his work truck so I wouldn’t find them.” Nester asks if he had told Kouri he found an empty oxycodone bottle in the nightstand. O’Driscoll says he did not personally find the bottle. It was found the night Eric died and transported to the medical examiner’s office with Eric’s body.

3:47 p.m. Nester asks about the letter where Kouri wrote that Ronney will have messages on his phone that show Eric confided in him that he would get high. Nester asks if O’Driscoll confirmed this story with Ronney. O’Driscoll says investigators tried to speak with Ronney, but he would not speak with them. Nester asks if his phone was ever searched. It was not.

3:44 p.m. Nester asks if O’Driscoll if he ever spoke to Ronney about the portion in the letter that references him. O’Driscoll says they tried to speak with Ronnie, but were unable to. Nester asks about the part of the letter about Eric putting drugs in Kouri’s bags and they would fight. Nester asks Alley Staking testified that it happened. O’Driscoll says he heard Staking say that. Nester asks if O’Driscoll ever spoke with Kouri’s friends about it. He says he had heard about it, but did not speak with her friends.

3:41 p.m. Bloodworth has no further questions. Kathryn Nester will question on behalf of the defense. She wants to begin by talking about the letter. She asks the date it was written. O’Driscoll says either Sept. 12 or 13. Nester asks about the beginning of the letter where Kouri tells her mom to tell Skye, her former attorney, at the meeting next week. “Kouri is relaying something that Ronnie had known in the past when they were watching a football game.” Bloodworth objects based on foundation. Sustained.

3:38 p.m. Prosecutor moves to admit the Walk the Dog letter written to Lisa Darden from Kouri. It was found in a book among Kouri’s personal possessions. The letter is six pages and was written on Sept. 12 or 13, 2023. Investigators recovered it on Sept. 14, 2023. Bloodworth asks the detective to read the letter. There are some redactions. You can hear what is in the letter here:

3:31 p.m. That phone call is over. Bloodworth moves to admit another phone call from Aug. 22, 2023, between Kouri and her brother DJ. We hear Kouri laughing. DJ says “that’s not at all what happened. Where did you get this bull****.” They are talking about the Mirror Lake sandwiches and DJ says he has receipts to prove it.

3:29 p.m. Kouri says O’Driscoll and all the detectives are idiots. Lisa reads from something saying that Eric ate a sandwich and broke out in hives. “It is so f***** sad. Lie, lie.” Kouri says they are ridiculous.

3:27 p.m. Kouri says they come up with some “wild s***.” I put a love note on a poisonous sandwich and put it in his car? What the hell?” Lisa responds, “Yes. On the seat of his truck is what it said.” Kouri responds, “What in the hell. They are nuts.” Kouri says when people get up to testify and I say that was a lie, that did not happen, “You can’t compete with somebody who was actually there.”

3:25 p.m. Bloodworth will now admit a call between Kouri and her mom from Aug. 22, 2023. We hear the call. Lisa asks Kouri who picked up the sandwiches from the diner. Kouri says she did. Lisa says, “That’s enough of that.” Lisa asks about a love letter put on the front seat with the sandwiches. Lisa says she thought the sandwiches were eaten in the office. This call was recorded while Kouri was in jail.

3:23 p.m. Texts between Kouri and her mom are admitted. They are talking about a guy named Hayden and how he’s “another one wanting 15 minutes of fame.” These texts are from May 31, 2023.

3:21 p.m. We now see messages between Kouri and her brother D.J. on May 24, 2023. “Did Eric ever talk about suicide?” Response: “not suicide specifically, he would always say things like if anything ever happened to me you guys will be set for like when he would go hunting or snowmobiling that kind of thing.”

3:19 p.m. We see texts from March 2, 2022. Eric asks if she wants to grab lunch. She says she can’t but celebratory shot tonight!! She has to do paperwork because everyone is funding tomorrow. She promised to go on a walk with Virginia because she didn’t have time yesterday. Eric responds, “Okay, love ya.” She writes back, “Love you.”

3:11 p.m. We now see text messages between Kouri and Eric from Jan. 5, 2022. She’s asking for estimates on a bunch of repair items. He says he has no idea and why is she still awake. She says it has to be done tomrorow. Eric sends back an estimate on all the items. She replies, “Thank you kind sir. That’s what I needed.”

3:09 p.m. We now see another timeline Kouri wrote appearing to show Eric’s activities the night he died – brushing teeth, Moscow mules, January – March 21st gone, funeral (don’t have my phone), kids bed around 9, drink around 9.

3:07 p.m. We now see a timeline Kouri wrote with events of the week Eric died. It includes his death date, trying to get the safe open, the celebration of life the day after Eric died, Eric’s funeral, Kouri starts counseling, boys start counseling, search warrant, Det. Woody calls, private investigator, court motions, Kouri learned Eric had consulted with a divorce attorney.

3:01 p.m. We now see a journal entry Kouri wrote on March 3, 2022 – the night before ERic died. She talked about what she did that day and how Eric was really upset about some hunting situation in Mexico. They had a celebratory drink and then went to bed. She went to sleep with her son who wasn’t feeling well and got into bed around 3 a.m. Eric was cold, she nudged him and he didn’t respond. She jumped out of bed and he was pale/yellow and his mouth was open. She grabbed her phone and called 911. They told her to do CPR. She pulled him off the bed and started compressions. EMTs arrived and as they did CPR, blood was squiting everywhere. She says she screamed at them that they were doing it wrong. She say in the corner of the room rocking back and forth – fading in and out. An EMT asked her to leave the room. They went to the living room where she paced back and forth. She called her mom. The EMT told Kouri Eric didn’t make it. Kouri says she ran to the barthroom and vomited. The kids woke up and she yelled for them to stay in their room. Kouri curled up around the toilet. Kouri’s mom arrived and had no words. The EMT told her that Eric was gone. She told the EMTs she needed to call her father-in-law. She says it was around 3:45/4 a.m. and Gene answered “so perky. It was very strange.”

2:57 p.m. We now see another jailhouse interview from May 12, 2022. Det. Mainord tells Carmen the goal is to convict Kouri. Carmen asks if she has to go to court on Wednesday. It’s for a grand jury proceeding. Carmen asks if she’s going to be charged with someone. Mainord says she won’t be charged. O’Driscoll arrested Kouri after the boys went to school in May 2023. Detectives found an orange notebook next to Kouri’s side of the bed.

2:55 p.m. Detectives say they are nervous about sending paperwork back to her cell. She asks if they can just write it and she’ll sign it. “No, no, no,” they respond. Videotape is over. A man named McKay is mentioned in the video. That’s the prosecutor they were working with.

2:52 p.m. Detectives asking Carmen about the conversation with Kouri. Carmen says Kouri asked for the Michael Jackson stuff. She says she wants to help and she loves Eric. Detectives say they will give her some time and that’s why they are there – to give her a get out of jail free card and there are three little boys who don’t have a dad right now. Carmen says those little boy loved their daddy.

2:48 p.m. The interview continues to play. Detectives tell Carmen that drug court is looking to ask for seven years in prison. The only exception is if she helps the detectives out with the Richins’ investigation. She needs to give up the details that ensure Kouri gets convicted of murder. “Oh my God!” Carmen says. She goes on to say she’s willing to do whatever and she wants to complete drug court.

2:43 p.m. Detectives tell Carmen she has to be more detailed and they ask her for a written statement as far as what she remembers. Detectives say they need her to write her story and she can’t make things up. Carmen recalls it being dark and she had to use the lights on her car to put the drugs in the firepit. She remembers turning right and pulling into the driveway. She says it was a tiny fire pit. Carmen says the money from Kouri was in an envelope. It was unmarked. Nester interrupts and Lewis approaches the bench with Bloodworth.

2:40 p.m. Bloodworth moves to admit video of a jailhouse interview. We see the video. Carmen says she has affected other people’s lives by doing dope. Carmen says if it was done purposely, he didn’t deserve it but she doesn’t know that for sure. “I would never do that ever to anybody,” Carmen says. The detectives say they need to write it down and give them details because she’s being hazy.

2:38 p.m. O’Driscoll told Carmen they needed solid information that could be used in the courtroom. Bloodworth asks about the statement Maynard used about the “get out of jail free” card. O’Driscoll says Maynard was stressing the importance of the investigation into Eric’s death as opposed to any subsequent drug investigations that Carmen was involved in. Bloodworth asks about Carmen saying, “Can you guys write it down and I’ll sign it.” O’Driscoll says they were trying to get a written statement from Carmen to establish a timeline. Carmen was concerned about writing things down in the cellblock and she wanted the detectives to write it down. O’Driscoll told her that’s not the way it works.

2:34 p.m. Detectives repeatedly told Carmen they needed more details. Carmen was interviewed six times, totaling about 10 hours. They were audio- and video-recorded. Transcripts were done, totaling almost 1,000 pages. Bloodworth asks if O’Driscoll heard how the defense characterized the interviews with Carmen and if he feels they were misleading. O’Driscoll says yes, they were misleading. O’Driscoll is the lead investigator so he has been in the courtroom the entire case.

2:32 p.m. Carmen repeatedly said she wanted to help but was having problems remembering. Detectives showed her maps, property records and anything they could find to help establish a timeline showing the events. O’Driscoll repeatedly told Carmen to say what she remembered and what was truthful. She was told not to make things up and they needed details.

2:30 p.m. The detectives met with Carmen and told her they might be able to help her with her charges if she was willing to help with the Richins’ investigation. O’Driscoll says Carmen had trouble remembering details and had a history of self-preservation, so she tended to minimize her involvement and hold back as much as she could. O’Driscoll says drug dealers won’t give you any more than they have to. Originally Carmen minimized her involvement – she said she knows a little and then ultimately said Kouri reached out to her to get pain pills.

2:23 p.m. Carmen was found driving and she was arrested for driving on a suspended license. She was booked into the Wasatch County Jail. O’Driscoll and Detective Maynard knew Carmen might offer information in exchange for a reduction in charges. Once O’Driscoll found Richins’ obituary in Carmen’s room, he figured she might feel guilty about Eric’s death.

2:21 p.m. We see photos showing a poster featuring inspirational quotes, photos of loved ones, her family, and in the dead center of the poster was Eric Richins’ obituary. This was found in Carmen’s room. Also found was a C&E logoed hat.

2:16 p.m. Back in session. Bloodworth asks O’Driscoll if they were led to Carmen Lauber and how. Detectives looked at text messages and call logs. Eventually they were led to Carmen and learned about her case. Carmen was involved with Nick Von Savage. O’Driscoll says they learned of a call between Von Savage and Carmen where Carmen said she had made a bunch of money buying illicit street drugs. This was on the day Eric died. They got a search warrant and went to Carmen’s home. They found THC products, drug paraphenelia and a firearm under her bed. Carmen was a convicted felon and cannot have a firearm. Detectives also found a copy of Eric Richin’s obituary.

2:03 p.m. Judge tells the jury to take a short restroom break. Court is in recess until 2:10 p.m.

1:58 p.m. Bloodworth moves to admit more texts between Kouri and her brother. Defense objects. Judge overrules. These texts are from March 22, 2023. He asks how much she makes per book. She makes $5.35 a book on Amazon. They print and ship. She is looking to launch her own website. She says her goal is to sell 100,000 books by the end of the year and the next 30 days are marketing. Bloodworth asks to approach on legal issue.

1:56 p.m. Bloodworth moves to texts between Kouri and her mom. We see them. Her mom asks the name of the book. Kouri says, “Where are you?” It’s not on Amazon yet, she says. Then later responds, “Are you with me?” She says she doesn’t know what she was thinking (by giving the wrong name of the book). End of exchange. Kouri’s mom is in court today on the back row.

1:50 p.m. Bloodworth now moves to admit text messages between Kouri and Book Writing Lane. O’Driscoll says Kouri discussed the book with her family in text messages. Bloodworth moves to admit texts between Kouri and her brother DJ. We see the texts. Kouri appears to sent him a copy of the book cover and says it turned out so cute. Her brother asks when it’s on Amazon. She says they are submitting it and should be soon. He tells her he’s proud of her. She says thanks and she’s excited – and she has already spoken to a writer about writing her book. He asks about costs and says she would have to change names. She responds that she would have to change names and get an attorney to avoid defamation It would cost her $10,000 to write the book. DJ asks about a book launch and she says not yet. He responds that she has nothing to worry about and to “stay calm.”

1:46 p.m. The sheriff’s office learned, after serving a subpoena to Amazon, that the book came from Lisa Darden, Kouri’s mother. Bloodworth asks O’Driscoll who wrote the book. “We found text messages in Ms. Richins’ phone between her and a contact named Book Writing Lane, who is a book writer/publisher of some type, regarding them writing the book for her.” The company is a ghostwriting firm.

1:45 p.m. Judge overrules the objection and the screengrab of the radio station website showing Kouri appearing as a guest is shown. Bloodworth asks about the sheriff’s office receiving an anonymous package containing the book and a note. The notes says “There are two sides to every story. This is a true Kouri, a devoted wife and adoring mother. Thought you should know. From Anonymous.

1:44 p.m. The book appears to have been removed from Amazon, but a description says it’s a “heartwarming and reassuring book that gently guides children through the difficult experience of losing a loved one. Written by a loving mother who personally faced this challenge, this book is designed to offer comfort and solace to young minds in a way that is both accessible and engaging. With vivid and colorful illustrations, “Are You With Me” follows the story of a child who has lost their father, but who is reminded that his presence still exists all around them, just like an angel watching over them. Whether it’s playing at the park or simply enjoying a quiet moment at home, the child is comforted by the knowledge that their father is always by their side. As a book that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, ‘Are You With Me’ is a must-read for any child who has experienced the pain of loss, and for parents who want to provide their children with the emotional support they need to heal and grow. A story of hope, healing, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child.”

1:42 p.m. Bloodworth moves to admit documentation showing the interview. Defense attorney Kathryn Nester objects based on authenticity. Judge asks attorneys to approach the bench for sidebar.

1:40 p.m. A week or so later, Kouri writes back with talking points and a promo code for people who want to order her book on Amazon. She then writes back that the promo code won’t work, so anyone who wants to download the Kindle version of the book can for free for two days. The email exchange is over. O’Driscoll is aware that Kouri also promoted the book on a radio website.

1:36 p.m. We now see the emails between Kouri and the “Good Things Utah” team. She writes that she want to come on and talk about a children’s book in their studio. She writes that she has just written what appears to be the first children’s book about losing a parent. Her husband passed away and she wants to share their story. A producer writes back and says they want to feature Kouri on the show. Kouri says she is so excited and she can share three tips about helping kids cope with losing a parent. The producer asks if she can be in their studio on April 6 for a live interview. Kouri says she can and asks how long the conversation will be. The producer sends back talking points, dress code, and other information.

1:33 p.m. Bloodworth asks O’Driscoll how he learned about Kouri’s childrens’ book “Are you with me?” about dealing with death. O’Driscoll watched Kouri talk about the book on the “Good Things Utah” program. O’Driscoll says a subpoena was submitted to ABC4 to find out how Kouri got on the show. She applied through the program’s website.

1:31 p.m. We see texts from Jan. 31, 2022. Eric says the boys are wondering when Kouri is coming home. She responds, “No, you are wondering. Not them.” Followed by another text saying she will call him when she’s on her way. Eric responds, “No I would never go hang out with girls and miss the boys games and scouts. Sorry but that’s not something I would ever think about doing.” Kouri says, “Can you bring me home some soup please?” And he says, “What do you want beautiful?” She tells him what she wants from Dairy Keen or Kneaders. Eric replies, “Gummy time?” And she says, “Yes!”

1:28 p.m. We see the text exchange. Kouri and Eric chat back and forth about Eric going to a rodeo with some people. Kouri tells Eric to take a gummy. He responds that he wants to get some grub first if gummies are in the forecast. Kouri responds with steak and says it sounds good.

1:25 p.m. O’Driscoll obtained Eric prescription drug history. We see a letter showing there were no prescription records found for Eric between March 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022. Investigators searched Eric’s phone for evidence of THC gummy use. They found two messages between Eric and Kouri talking about THC gummy use from Nov. 20, 2021.

1:23 p.m. O’Driscoll knew that fentanyl was found in Eric’s blood. When he came into the case, he wanted to start with fresh eyes. He said there were three likely possibilities in how he died: accidental overdose, he intentionally ingested fentanyl to die by suicide or someone else administered the fentanyl in order to kill him.

1:20 p.m. Summit County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff O’Driscoll is sworn in. He has been with the sheriff’s office for ten years. O’Driscoll became a detective in July 2022. O’Driscoll was assigned as lead detective in the Richins case in March 2023. He took over from Det. Woody. O’Driscoll has investigated other deaths, but this was the first case that became a full-blown homicide case.

1:18 p.m. Carmen wrote the letter in February 2024. She said she had been 100% compliant in her probation, but she had not been and the statement was not true. Lewis has nothing further. Bloodworth follows up with a quick clarifying question. Questioning is complete. Defense asks the subpoena to remain in effect. She could get recalled.

1:15 p.m. Lewis tells Carmen she also violated her curfew by going to the concert. Carmen says she didn’t stay the entire concert, but she did return home late. Carmen says she had an ankle monitor on and officers would know where she was. Lewis says an officer caught her drinking at the concert. Lewis asks about Carmen writing a letter to Judge Mabey in 2024. Carmen asked for permission to visit her boyfriend once a month in Las Vegas. Lewis asks for a sidebar.

1:12 p.m. Lewis asks Carmen if she violated probation in October 2023 with an alcohol violation. Carmen says instead of paying her buddy back for the ticket, he asked if she would buy the drinks and snacks. She says she didn’t drink, but was seen holding a drink. Lewis says she told a detective that she consumed the beverage. Carmen says she didn’t drink it. Lewis shows Carmen a document that shows she told Det. Maynard that she drank alcohol. Carmen says she doesn’t recall telling him that.

1:09 p.m. Lewis moves to admit a document showing the terms of Carmen’s probation. It’s shown on the screen. Lewis asks Carmen if she has violated any of the conditions since she signed the paper in May 2023. Carmen says, “No.” Lewis responds, “You haven’t violated any conditions?” Carmen asks if Lewis is talking about the weapons condition. “If there was a weapon found in my room, if that’s what you mean,” Carmen says. She says a weapon was found in her room. Lewis asks if the alcohol condition was violated. Carmen says she went to a concert and violated it. Lewis says it was in November 2023. She went to the concert with a bunch of friends.

1:07 p.m. Carmen takes the stand. Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth says, “I understand the defense has some questions for you.” Defense attorney Wendy Lewis asks about Carmen being released from jail in 2023. She was then released on probation and it was transferred to Summit County from Wasatch County. Det. Maynard became her probation officer. Carmen says she usually texted him every day, but sometimes she would forget. Lewis asks if Carmen texted him about everything related to probation. Carmen says yes, but sometimes they would talk on the phone.

1:03 p.m. Carmen Lauber, the woman who says she picked up street pills for Kouri Richins 3-4 times, is back on the stand this afternoon. Richins’ defense attorneys are expected to grill Lauber as they say her story has changed and she doesn’t remember key facts. Prosecutors hope by calling Lauber again, they’ll be able to show that she has been reliable and her version of events remains consistent.

12:56 p.m. Court is back in session. Waiting on two jurors to arrive.

9:23 a.m. State has two witnesses left: Carmen Lauber and Det. Jeff O’Driscoll. That will take today and part of tomorrow. Defense then has witnesses they will call tomorrow. Kathryn Nester says once the state rests, they will need around 30 minutes to talk with Kouri. Court is in recess until 12:45 p.m.

9:18 a.m. Discussion over Carmen Lauber violating drug court because she was observed holding an alcoholic drink. Lewis says she drank it. Judge says that information comes from an unsigned affidavit. Judge says Lewis can ask Carmen about it when she’s on the stand. Lewis says she also has screenshots of text messages between Carmen and a detective that she wants to ask Carmen about.

9:13 a.m. Prosecutors will play video of the jailhouse interviews with text on the screen so jurors can follow along. Judge has denied Richins’ request for a mistrial. Bloodworth says Carmen Lauber will be at the courthouse at 1 p.m. today to testify.

9:04 a.m. Lewis and Bloodworth discuss other parts of the jail interviews. Judge rules what can be admitted. They are going through the transcript and discussing different portions.

8:56 a.m. There is some confusion over page numbers in the transcript of the interviews and what exactly the prosecution wants admitted.

8:49 a.m. Regarding the first interview exhibit Bloodworth wants to admit, defense attorney Wendy Lewis objects to having all of it admitted. She goes through portions she opposes.

8:43 a.m. Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth is seeking to admit some jailhouse interviews with Carmen. Judge wants to review each interview one at a time. FYI: My EastIdahoNews.com colleague Jordon Ormond is in the courtroom today.

8:30 a.m. This morning prosecutors and defense team will discuss interviews Carmen Lauber did with detectives while she was in jail. Jailhouse phone calls involving Richins are also expected to be discussed today during Detective Jeff O’Driscoll’s testimony. He is on tap to testify this afternoon. Jurors will not arrive until 1 p.m.