LIVE UPDATES | Kouri Richins sentencing hearing underway

The sentencing hearing for Kouri Richins begins at 9:30 a.m. MDT in Summit County, Utah. The mother of three will be sentenced on five felony convictions, including aggravated murder. A jury found her guilty of killing her husband, Eric Richins, and other felonies, including insurance fraud, forgery and attempted murder. Richins could face 25 years to life in prison or life in prison without parole. EastIdahoNews.com reporter Nate Eaton is in the courtroom and will post live updates during the hearing. The most recent updates are at the top of this page. Please excuse typos.

2:22 p.m. Kouri Richins is now in custody of the Utah State Prison. We have live coverage with reaction on the East Idaho News YouTube channel outside the courthouse. Join me tonight at 7 p.m. MDT on the East Idaho News YouTube channel for Courtroom Insider.

2:21 p.m. Judge says he will extend the deadline to 28 days. The defense has file a motion to extend but it must be filed with 14 days.

2:19 p.m. Nester says they plan to appeal and ask for a new trial. She asks the judge for 90 days to file due to travel and other issues. State objects and says the defense has 14 days based on Utah law.

2:18 p.m. Kouri Richins sentenced to life in prison without parole.

2:18 p.m. Judge says he has genuine concern for the boys 30 years from now and he can’t predict the future. He doesn’t know how the view of those young men will evolve over the next several decades. Judge hopes everyone affected by Eric’s death finds his way to a state of peace. Judge says he has to make a weighty, long-lasting decision based on the best information available today. Judge says Kouri Richins was convicted of attempting to murder Eric Richins and then spent 17 days preparing to try again to kill him. She succeeded. And for what? “Money,” judge says.

2:14 p.m. Judge says that under 25 years to life, Kouri likely wouldn’t get parole until she is around 66 years old at the earliest. Judge says Kouri will be unable to harm anyone for the next three decades or much longer. Judge says it’s difficult to predict the impact this will have on Eric’s sons.

2:10 p.m. Judge reminds everyone in the courtroom not to show any emotion. He explains what he has considered when it comes to sentencing. He has considered each of the factors in Utah law when it comes to sentencing. “Having considered the gravity and circumstances, the number of victims, and available information, the judge says the sentences in counts 2-5 are to be imposed consecutively.”

Count 5 — prison up to five years
Count 4 — prison 1-15 years
Count 3 — prison 1-15 years
Count 2 — attempted aggravated murder — prison 5-life

2:09 p.m. Kouri tells her boys to listen to their little hearts and their little bellies for the truth. She tells them to remember who they are and says she will continue to call them every day, even if her calls are blocked “just so you know I’m here.” “The cards, the letters, will never stop. I will never stop. I love you forever. Mom.” Kouri turns around and walks back to the defense table.

2:06 p.m. Kouri says she loves her boys, she misses them and wishes they could have their family back. She says this isn’t fair to anyone, especially her boys. She reminds her boys they are strong and loved by so many. “I wish I could count the freckles on your little cheeks, read you books before bed, and help you with all your homework. I wish I could help you on the toughest nights and hear your laugh on your happiest days, but for not that’s just not the way it is. We have to be strong. We have to remember that our strength grows in these moments.”

2:03 p.m. Kouri says she would have never taken their dad from his boys. “I’m so sorry I can’t bring him back,” she says. She is wiping her eyes and nose with a tissue. “I can beat myself up all day about how I could have been a better person or made better personal choices…but murder? No. Absolutely not. And I will not be blamed for something I did not do. I will appeal and fight these charges for as long as it takes…I do have something to prove to you three. I do care what you boys think and I need you boys to know the truth. Because of that, I will never quit or give up this fight for justice…I know right now you may not believe me, that you believe I took dad from you. I still and will always love you. I’m asking that you please don’t give up on me. I’m coming home. Not today, not this year, but we’re going to make this right. Our justice system will get this right, although this courtroom can’t seem to.”

2:01 p.m. Kouri says God did not put her in this world to take a life. He put her in this world to create life and it’s absurd to think that she murdered Eric. “Your dad was in physical pain. A lot of physical pain,” she says. “I would have never him from you – from us. He was the glue that held us all together, that made us us. Every little boy needs their father. He’s supposed to teach you the things I could never explain. He’s supposed to teach you and do things with you that only a dad can do. And only he could give you those life lessons between a father and a son.”

1:59 p.m. “This grief will outlive us all. The hundreds of lives this has affected. The lifelong trauma you boys have suffered the past four years will outlive us all. You haven’t had to just endure losing one parent, but losing two, and no child should ever have to go through that,” Kouri says. “Your dad’s memory will always be the kind that’s a physical hurt. A tightening in your chest when you think of him, particularly on days like today – his birthday.”

1:57 p.m. “I’m so sorry you guys are being pulled through the middle of this absolute chaos between two families fighting who love you very much. Trust and assets, our home, none of it matters. You boys are what matters. Your safety, your health. I will and always have prioritized your safety. I am your mother. For anyone to scare you otherwise is cruel and heartless. I’m sorry that eight people from a jury who have never met you or me or our family had the right to determine our future and they did that in less than three hours,” Kouri says.

1:55 p.m. Kouri says it’s a lifetime of what-ifs and if-onlys. “He’s supposed to walk through life with you. With us. With our family. I do know what that’s like. So murder and attempted murder, four years later, and it’s still hard to say those words out loud. They get caught in my throat. They turn my stomach and I try to avoid them as much as possible because it makes my physically sick to think about. But still to this day, I can’t believe this is real. That this is our life. That this is my life – convicted of taking the love of my life.”

1:53 p.m. Kouri says she and Eric would give the boys everything they had. “But the one thing I can’t give you boys are the answers that you want the most because I can’t give you something I don’t have. An explanation that I just don’t know. I’ve never lost a son, I’ve never lost one of my brothers, a nephew or a best friend. But I did grow up with a single mother and I have lost my father. I do know what it’s like to wonder, ‘What if dad could have watched me graduate college? Walk me down the aisle? Be there for the birth of one of you boys?'”

1:52 p.m. “Choose forgiveness. Choose love. Choose happiness. Be a loyal brother, be a loyal son, be like your dad,” Kouri says. “Have the hobbies that bring you excitement and joy – that give you a break from life. Build a family that makes you happy to come to every day with a career that makes you hold your head high. Be the friend everyone wants to be friends with. The dad that everyone wishes they had. Be like your dad.”

1:50 p.m. “Love the outdoors. Find your peace, your therapy, your heart and soul on the top of a mountain somewhere where it’s quiet, it’s calm and you’ll be able to feel the spirits of those you love and miss the most. Be like your dad,” Kouri says. She tells her sons to laugh and have a laugh that everyone recognizes.

1:49 p.m. “Don’t ever settle for just good. Go for great,” Kouri says. She tells her sons to exceed expectations and be like their dad. “Be generous, be charitable, stay humble, give when you have too much, give more than you take, help when others are in need, serve your community, be like your dad.”

1:47 p.m. “Your dad and I raised you boys that if you care about nothing else in this world, you care about each other. Your brothers will always be there for you. They’ll always be your brothers. You love them, you protect them, you be there for each other,” Kouri says. “You be loyal to one another and you keep each other safe and healthy and happy. You stay together no matter what.”

1:46 p.m. “Forgive those who turn your back on, but never forget. Don’t hold hate in your heart. It only brings you down. Apologize when you’re wrong. You can’t change the past, but you can take accountability when you mess up. Be honest with yourself and those you need to. But never apologize for something you didn’t do,” Kouri says. “Don’t take the easy way out. Always stand up for what’s right, even if you find yourself standing alone or with a small group of people who love you.”

1:44 p.m. Kouri says there will always be people who judge them and take their words out of context. “You may show too much emotion, you may not show enough. They will judge you on your demeanor. All of this will get misinterpreted into something that it’s not. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, it doesn’t make it true.”

1:42 p.m. “Always be the friend that walks into someone’s life when others walk out. The only people you owe your loyalty to is those people who never made you question yours,” Kouri says. “Every day you wake up, you get a second chance at life. Take the day and run with it. It’s a blessing. Don’t take it for granted.”

1:41 p.m. “Don’t let anyone choose the direction of your life by their opinions or their judgments. Resentment can get the best of others. Don’t let it get the best of you. Live your life the way you choose to live it. Be safe and be healthy and be happy. That’s all that matters,” Kouri says, continuing to address her sons.

1:39 p.m. The judge is not looking at Kouri as she speaks. He is looking down, at the gallery or at his computer screen. Kouri goes on to say that love is enough and one day her boys will meet someone and fall in love.

1:38 p.m. “Your love is all you need to ignore the noise and your love never fails,” Kouri says. She says Eric or her would want to throw in the towel on their marriage, but they never did and always found their way back to each other. “We stopped keeping track of each others wrongdoings and we forgave and move on and we loved.” Kouri says she would relive all of her all days. “Our love was enough.”

1:36 p.m. Kouri tells her boys they will achieve and succeed in life. “Use those opportunities to grow and to learn. They do not define you. Don’t ever let other people think that they do. You boys are ever evolving.” Kouri says secrets diminish self-respect. “I fell in love with someone who wasn’t your dad. Your dad fell in love with someone who wasn’t me.” She says she did things behind her dad’s back and he did things behind her back. She tells her boys they made mistakes that she regrets.

1:35 p.m. Kouri apologizes that her kids have had to go through this. “Your feelings are completely valid and one day, when this is all over, we can sit down and talk about all of this and sort it all out. I promise you boys one day it will be over.” Kouri says she isn’t perfect. She has succeeded and she has failed. “I have done plenty of things I am not proud of. Some I regret. Some I don’t.”

1:32 p.m. Kouri talks about the custody battle. She says the Darden side of the family fought for custody, but were denied. She says Eric’s sister denied visits and called. All mail was returned or rerouted. Kouri says all of her contact was cut off more than two years ago. “Please ask them for your cards, your letters. Please just ask them whether it’s now or in ten years.” Kouri says she did not abandon them regardless of what anyone tells them.

1:29 p.m. Kouri wants to stand at the podium with her attorneys. She begins, “My sweet baby boys. I know today you don’t want to speak with me or have a relationship with me. You may think you hate me. That’s ok. When the day comes that you’re ready, I will be here for you. I need you boys to know and understand that I have been desperately trying to get in contact with you. That all of my communication has been cut off from you. Now I will use every opportunity I can to get to you.”

1:28 p.m. We are back in the courtroom. Kouri Richins is about to speak before Judge Richard Mrazik issues his sentence.

12:56 p.m. Lewis is done speaking. We are taking a break until 1:25 p.m. Kouri Richins will then address the court. Bloodworth stands up and asks if the court wants to hear from the state. Judge says he does not – “I have this firmly in hand.” Judge says he is denying the defense’s request to strike the memo. We are now on break.

12:53 p.m. The Board of Pardons would decide whether Kouri should be released once the 25 years are up. Lewis says this day will be one more day that haunts the boys if they one day change their minds and want to have a relationship with their mother. A sentence without the possibility of parole tells the world there is no hope, Lewis says.

12:51 p.m. “A sentence that allows for parole is a sentence that allows for a path to forgiveness,” Lewis says. Lewis says she doesn’t discount what Kouri’s boys have said. “People change,” Lewis says. “If the day comes her children want to see her face to face, a 25-year-to-life sentence will make that easier for them.”

12:48 p.m. Lewis says imposing consecutive sentences, like the state wants, would abuse the judge’s discretion. Lewis says the sentences should be concurrent. Lewis says it’s almost unheard of for someone to be paroled on their first offense on serious crimes. Lewis says Kouri had no criminal history, was involved in the community, was a friend, daughter and mother. “There is no reason to hold her in prison for life.” Lewis asks for 25 years to life.

12:46 p.m. Lewis says in all of her time practicing law, this is the first time she’s had a client convicted who she actually believes is innocent. Lewis says her team has gotten to know Kouri over the past two years. “Kouri, every time she calls, asks how we are,” Lewis says. They have discussed losing children under the age of 10. Lewis’s husband died of heart failure years ago.

12:45 p.m. Lewis asks the court to strike anything in the sentencing memo that was not previously admitted into court. Lewis says Kouri has remorse and regrets that we will hear about when she speaks. She maintains her innocence and has every right to do, Lewis says. Lewis says the judge should sentence her on what she was convicted of, not what the prosecutors say about her.

12:41 p.m. Lewis says the state’s sentencing memo should be stricken because there are untruths and falsehoods. Lewis references parts she has problems with, including a statement made by one of the boys and a report concerning health and welfare. Lewis references the life insurance policies on the kids and says Kouri has not paid on them. Kouri only discovered yesterday that two of the policies are still active, Lewis says. “Now that Kouri knows these policies are still active, she will cancel them.”

12:38 p.m. Lewis says there are only a handful of individuals serving life without parole who killed their spouse – and all but one of them killed a child or someone other than their spouse. Lewis says there are people serving 15 years to life who did acts more heinous than Kouri Richins. She lists some of those cases.

12:36 p.m. Wendy Lewis now speaking. She says you have to look at the entirety of the person when it comes to sentencing. You have to look at the totality of the circumstances. Lewis says if we treated our dogs like we treat someone locked down for 23 hours a day in prison, the dogs would be taken away. Lewis says life in prison without parole should be for the worst of the worst and Kouri is not in that group. There are currently 72 people in Utah serving life in prison without parole, Lewis says. She states some of the cases.

12:34 p.m. Emery says she’s not sharing her story to tell people how to feel. She says people can change. She works with domestic violence victims. Losing both of her parents so young made her very sad. “Hold tightly of the good memories of your father and in time, perhaps your mother too. Cling to your family for love and support. Let love reside in your hearts and not hate.”

12:32 p.m. Emery talks about wanting to see her father when she was 18. She was able to visit him in prison, and he apologized. They cried and embraced. She says he killed her mother, but she still needed her dad. Some years, Emery did not visit her dad in prison. Other years she did. She learned to let go and forgive. “This is when I truly mastered empathy and compassion.” Emery’s dad died last year in prison – four days before his 81st birthday.

12:30 p.m. The next person is named Emery and is appearing via WebEx. Wendy Lewis introduces Emery. When Emery was 13, her dad killed her mom while she and her brother were in the next room. He was convicted and her father was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. Emery says her dad murdered her mom Patty in Park City in 1995. Emery says at the time of the murder, she wanted her dad to go prison for a long time. “I was afraid for my life and safety as well.” Family members raised Emery.

12:27 p.m. The prosecutor was in charge of the case of a man who killed someone. He was sentenced, and years later, the prosecutor was working for the state when he visited the state prison. The former prosecutor learned of a reconciliation between the victim’s family and the perpetrator. They asked if the prosecutor could help get the man out on parole. The man then died from suicide when he was falsely accused of accessing a computer system in prison. The former prosecutor says prison sentences without the possibility of parole should be reserved for the most serious of crimes.

12:25 p.m. The woman says the man who killed her son became one of the best people she knows. He wrote her a letter, apologized and it deepened the mother’s forgiveness. The woman says she believes in second chances and a life sentence destroys hope. The woman hopes Kouri decides to make her life better. Nester has a letter from a former prosecutor who imposed these types of punishments. Nester is keeping the name private.

12:23 p.m. Nester reads the letter from a woman whose son was murdered 30 years ago in a random act of violence. The lady who wrote the letter says she is not criticizing any of Eric’s family. “The criminal justice system needs more humanity. It needs more mercy,” the lady says. She says sending someone to prison without parole should be reserved for the most heinous crimes. She says her son’s killer spent the first 18 years in maximum security.

12:19 p.m. Ramos says hope can remain by giving a sentence that isn’t life in prison. A real measure of justice is not what we do when mercy is easy, it’s what we do when we preserve humanity when mercy is hard, Ramos says. Nester is back at the podium and says they are going to do something a little bit different by calling three people who don’t know Kouri but have been through a horrific journey.

12:17 p.m. Defense attorney Alex Ramos now speaking. He says he disagrees with the verdict, but respects the jury’s decision. He says the rule of law needs to be honored even in moments of pain. “As a Catholic, there is one authority higher than any courtroom or government power. That is God.” Life without parole is just a death penalty in disguise because it extinguishes hope, Ramos says, quoting Pope Francis.

12:15 p.m. Ronnie says he misses Eric’s family and misses their family. Ronnie says we don’t know what happened to Eric, but Kouri had nothing to do it and everyone knows that. He says the prosecution did not prove its case. Ronnie says the injustice that occurred in the courtroom will be righted in time and when the day comes, Kouri is going to change a lot of lives that need her help. “Until then, little sister, just know I’m right by your side. I love you.” Ronnie is done speaking.

12:12 p.m. The last letter is from Ronnie, Kouri’s brother. He begins by saying, “Little sister, I love you. I miss you. I miss our random banter. I miss our calls. I miss your constantly over-the-top attitude every time we speak. I miss our game nights. I miss our holidays. I miss you sending the boys to wake me up on Christmas morning. I miss our Sundays together. I miss our backyard games. I miss me and boys running all over you at sports in the backyard and Eric getting mad because you weren’t competitive enough.”

12:09 p.m. The next statement is from a pastor in the jail. He is one of four pastors who lead the services with inmates at the jail. He says Kouri has been coming for three years and participates in discussions. She is a help to other inmates, the pastor says, and her Bible doesn’t look new anymore. “It looks like a well-read book.” Final letter from the jail is from a volunteer named Heidi. She taught Kouri in the addiction-recovery program and taught her in a yoga class. Heidi says Kouri was a leader and a peacemaker who stayed above the pettiness that sometimes happens in jail.

12:06 p.m. Nester will now read several short statements from people who volunteer in the jail. The first is from an art facilitator. The person says that Kouri is full of grace and she hopes Kouri’s heart will lead her to faith and transformation. The next person teaches a Bible class in the jail. He says Kouri regularly goes to class and encourages other inmates to attend church. The teacher says he has witnessed Kouri’s kindness with other inmates.

12:03 p.m. The next letter is from someone who invested with Kouri and lost money. This person worked with Kouri on 10 or more houses. “I told her once in a text message that I was unofficially adopting her as my daughter,” the letter writer says. This person never met Eric. Kouri listed a house and had it sold in three days. The person says they didn’t feel the prosecution proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt. “May I appeal to the court that her sentencing may grant her the possibility of parole at some future time.”

12 p.m. Nester says the next two letters are from investors who worked with Kouri. The first letter implores the judge to impose the lowest sentence possible. The letter writer says that because the defense rested, the world only heard all the negative stuff. The person says Kouri never asked them to invest with them; rather, they asked her to invest. The person says that even in prison, Kouri could contribute positively to society. The letter writer says we all need to have hope and please don’t take that from Kouri. The person did not leave their name.

11:58 a.m. Kouri goes to church, studies late into the night and prays for her boys every day. She writes to her sons “though her letters are returned to her unopened. She has not stopped trying to contact them.” Greg says the Kouri he talks to “each day” is still filled with goodness and kindness. “I’m not here to argue with the verdict of this court. I’m here to tell you the person I have known for over seven years is still there. Still trying.”

11:57 a.m. Greg says Kouri would often forego commission for families who couldn’t afford a home. He says Kouri’s kindness has not gone away. When new inmates arrive frightened or disoriented, Kouri steps in to help. She has tutored inmates to further their education and helps them write letters. “When women in her unit receive bad news from their home, she is the first to sit with them and comfort them. She has used her time inside to study and she takes her studies very seriously.”

11:54 a.m. Greg Hall will now address the court. He begins by expressing his deepest sympathy for the Richins and Darden families. Greg says he has known Kouri personally and professionally for over seven years. They have stayed in contact by phone or text throughout her incarceration. Greg says before being arrested, Kouri looked for people who are struggling. Kouri volunteered with her boys at the soup kitchen to teach them about service and kindness.

11:51 a.m. Next letter is from someone who did not want their name used. Nester is reading it. The person who wrote the letter talks about babysitting for the young boys. “The home was beautifully decorated. The walls were lined with photos of the boys at different ages and they had a wonderful play room over the garage.” The letter says Kouri left detailed meal plans once when she went out of town and the babysitter loved the recipes so much she used them herself. The letter-writer says she doesn’t want to minimize the tragedy of this case. The person writing the letter asks for 25 years to life rather than life in prison for Kouri.

11:50 a.m. Doreen says this conviction does not erase the years of compassion and humanity. “The woman I know is compassionate, intelligent, nurturing and deeply human.” Doreen says whatever sentence is imposed will affect Kouri and her children. “Her children still need their mother’s guidance, love, and presence.” Doreen asks for mercy and compassion.

11:47 a.m. Bree says there have been inconsistencies in the investigation, and Kouri is an imperfect person fighting for grace. Kouri’s Aunt Doreen wrote a letter that Nester is now reading. Doreen says this is heartbreaking to speak about someone she cares deeply about. “I believe you in Kouri and I’m very proud to be your aunt,” Doreen’s letter says. “The woman I know is not the monster these proceedings made her to be.” Doreen says she thinks about the mother Kouri was and that Kouri’s children were her entire world.

11:45 a.m. Kathy Nester will now read a letter from Bree Darden, Kouri’s sister-in-law. She recently had a baby and can’t be here. Bree says she met Kouri and her family eight years ago. “Their family wasn’t perfect. No one’s is. But those boys were loved beyond belief…My heart goes out to the three boys as they don’t deserve to be going through all this.” Bree says she misses the boys every day and that Kouri is one of the most selfless people she knows.

11:44 a.m. Renee asks the judge to see the whole picture. “Please leave room for hope of a life with her boys. The impact of this tragedy will remain with Kouri and her children for the rest of their lives…I love you Kouri and I will always stand by you.” Renee returns to the gallery.

11:42 a.m. Renee says she is speaking as Kouri’s sister and recognizes the loss of Eric. She does want to minimize the loss and says this has been a tragedy for the family. Renee says Kouri writes to her boys every week and reaches out to her sons every holiday and birthday. Renee says Kouri has been beside her throughout her life and been the glue that held the family together. She hosted every Christmas, every family vacation, and made sure nobody felt forgotten or left behind.

11:40 a.m. Lisa says she does not believe Kouri did what she was convicted of. She asks the judge to have mercy and ask “from a mother’s heart ask that Kouri be given a sentence that will allow her to have a presence in her children’s lives.” Lewis is done reading Lisa’s letter. We will now here from Renee Odom.

11:37 a.m. “Kouri is not a perfect person,” Lisa says. Lisa says Kouri supports therapy and counseling for her sons. Kouri’s concern for her sons remains “constant and unwavering,” Lisa says. Lisa writes that Kouri is grieving the loss of the man she loves. Lisa says like many marriages, Kouri and Eric faced challenges. They went to marriage counseling and their relationship was strengthened.

11:34 a.m. Lisa says Kouri provided assistance to Eric’s family after his mother died in Hawaii. Kouri routinely provided childcare for her sister-in-law’s children, Lisa wrote, and Kouri always participated in family milestones. Kouri was a source of calm and connection in the Richins family, Lisa wrote in her letter. Kouri’s compassion extended beyond family, Lisa wrote, and maintained close supportive friendships.

11:32 a.m. Kouri says three weeks after Eric died, her uncle passed away. Lisa says she and Kouri are profoundly close. “Our relationship is built on mutual reliance, trust and love.” Lisa says she helped care for the boys and Eric. Kouri also shares a strong bond for her brother, Lisa says.

11:31 a.m. Lisa says the book Kouri wrote was not for profit, but was meant to help children dealing with grief. Lisa says Kouri is a great aunt who organizes family gatherings. Lisa says Kouri regularly attended church with her children. “These are not isolated gestures. They reflect a longstanding pattern of generosity and care for others.”

11:29 a.m. Lisa says Kouri volunteered at school, served as a scout leader, coached sporting teams, and was involved in activities. Lisa says Kouri consistently showed compassion for others. She assembled care kits for those in need and donated 100 pairs of snow boots to kids at the local school.

11:27 a.m. Lisa asks the judge to consider Kouri as a whole person “beyond the headlines.” She talks about Kouri getting her education, marrying Eric and building a family. Lisa says Kouri had profound grief after Eric’s death and wrote the children’s book. While in jail, Kouri earned a paralegal certificate and then earned her MBA. “She continues to seek opportunities for further education.”

11:25 a.m. Lisa writes about the boys and how involved they were. She says they first lost their father, then their mother, who helped them grieve. “She even found creative ways to help them cope emotionally during this period.” Then they lost their mother, Lisa wrote. She says the boys had a positive relationship with their mother. All the transitions compounded their grief. “As a grandmother who helped raise their children, I have also lost daily contact with them.” She says the separation has been devastating.

11:22 a.m. First letter is from Kouri’s mother Lisa Darden. Defense attorney Wendy Lewis is going to read it. Kouri’s mom is here in the courtroom. She was concerned about her ability to read them. “Your honor, Kouri is my daughter. First and foremost, I want to acknowledge my loss of Eric. He will never be forgotten by many people whose lives he’s touched, or me. Eric once saved my life and I will carry that gratitude with me every day.” Darden’s letter says she wants to speak about her grandsons. “Whatever sentence is imposed will shape their lives forever. I will continue to watch the boys grow. I will keep them in my prayers.” Lisa says Kouri is more than the worst day of her life.

11:19 a.m. Nester says we will hear from three people who don’t know Kouri. One is a woman whose son was murdered, another is a woman whose father killed her mother, and the other is a former prosecutor who witnessed the rehabilitation of someone he put behind bars for life. Nester says the decisions made by this court today can reflect humanity and hope and belief in forgiveness. Nester says Kouri will speak for about 30 minutes. “Her allocution is unusually long. She has worked very hard on it.”

11:18 a.m. Nester says we will hear good things about Kouri and she can contribute positively to society. Nester says if given life without parole, Kouri would be locked down for 23 hours a day. “For all intents and purposes, they are treated as death row inmates.” There are no in-person visits; they have no hope of any reunification with the people they love, Nester says.

11:14 a.m. Nester says Kouri did not do what she was convicted of. Nester says the defense team is committed to their duty throughout this trial. “It is our privilege and honor to stand beside Kouri. We believe in her innocence completely.” Nester says she recognizes that the court has a sacred duty in administering its sentence. “We have a prayerful hope that mercy will prevail over retribution.”

11:13 a.m. We are back in court. Kathryn Nester will have some opening remarks and then she has some letters that will be read. Nester says due to publicity, several people have asked that only the judge and prosecutor know their names. They did not want to appear on camera. Nester says Alex Ramos will then have brief remarks. Three witnesses will then be called. Wendy Lewis will then speak. Then Kouri will speak.

10:55 a.m. The state has no further victim statements. We are now in recess until 11:10 a.m.

10:53 a.m. C.R. says he feels annoyed to have to go to counseling and tell the story about what happened “55 million times.” He would like to not have to go to counseling and not worry about anything after the trial is over. He says he wants Kouri to be convicted of a life sentence. “I miss my dad. I don’t miss Kouri, I will tell you that.” Sarah is now done.

10:51 a.m. Sarah is now reading a statement written by C.R. He is now 13. “I think the judge should know that my dad was a good person and very thoughtful and helped whoever needed help. He was always taking the extra mile to help people.” C.R. says he was sleeping and went to get a drink of water. He says he believes Kouri gave Eric fentanyl in the living room. C.R. says he is sad. He feels mad that he feels sad. Kouri was always drunk or gone and he was locked in his room. Kouri threatened to kill his lizard because they didn’t want to watch a show with her, C.R. says.

10:49 a.m. A.R. says he won’t be able to go camping or fishing with his dad. “You took away everything from me and my brothers. I don’t want you out of jail because I will not feel safe if you are out. You have never said sorry for anything you have done. With you in jail, I will be able to feel safe without worrying about your hurting me or anyone I love.”

10:47 a.m. W.R. says he wants his mom to go to prison forever. Christina Green will now read a statement for A.R. “You took away my dad for no reason other than greed. You only cared about yourself and your stupid boyfriends. I had to be a parent for W. You were not concerned about our health. When we got hurt, you didn’t even care. When C got run over by a side-by-side, you made him to a soccer game without taking him to the doctor. You shamed us when you didn’t want to eat uncooked lasagna that you made. Then you made us watch videos of children starving in war areas. You wanted to scare us into eating something that wasn’t cooked.”

10:45 a.m. Jessica Black now approaches. She is a registered therapist and is reading a victim impact statement on behalf of one of the boys. She says she will read their words exactly as the boys said. This is from W.R. “I woke up to sirens and there were a lot of people at our house. I was scared. I was in a bedroom with my brothers.” W.R. says that after his dad died, Kouri put him in the basement with her brother and would take her to places that smelled really bad. “She took away my dad. It’s made me have a hard time trusting people. I was scared that Kouri’s family would come to my school and take me.”

10:42 a.m. Amy says she didn’t just lose her brother, she lost her sister-in-law. They were friends. She says she has to grieve someone who is still alive, and the grief sits there heavy every day. “This crime has fractured our family in ways outsiders don’t understand.” Amy says she never knew evil like this existed. Kouri danced on Eric’s grave for profit, Amy says. “Eric died trying to be his children’s shield. He can no longer protect them, so now the responsibility is on this court.” Amy asks judge to sentence Kouri to life in prison without parole.

10:39 a.m. Amy says she begged Eric to leave Kouri. She feels guilty that he didn’t. She says trauma has crept into every aspect of her family’s lives. They have lived in a constant state of grief. Amy says she lost her job as a professor in Montana on the day she was subpoenaed to appear in court. “The most devastating loss is one that isn’t in any police report…I suffered a traumatic miscarriage of twins. We lost our children. We lost the future we were building. Kouri’s actions didn’t just end one life. They reached out and stifled the loss of our unborn children as well.”

10:37 a.m. Amy says that she couldn’t see the monitors or exhibits during the trial. When she approached the court about it, she says she was told she could watch the trial on Court TV. She still has not seen all the evidence that was presented, she says. “Some day, those boys will grow up and look back at the records of this trial. I need the truth to be the only thing they find. The claims made against Eric’s character were not legal defenses…they were lies.”

10:34 a.m. “What makes this crime uniquely heinous is that their grief will never pass (referring to Eric’s boys),” Amy says. She says there are the years of childhood where a boy learns to be a man. “Eric’s death didn’t end the harm; it began a grinding process of retraumatizing,” Amy says her family was forced to grieve under public scrutiny. She received a message one day from a burner phone that said, “You think you’re funny? Kouri will get the last laugh. Your jealousy is as disgusting as your family.” Law enforcement later confirmed through warrants that the message came from Kouri, Amy says.

10:33 a.m. Amy talks about being in school and getting a text from Eric that said, “Come outside.” She walked out and he had flowers for her. Amy had just bought her first truck and Eric said, “We need to get some mud on your tires.” They went up to the mountains and took the truck off-roading. “It was exhilarating and terrifying, but I felt safe because he was there. That was Eric. He made life bigger. That is the brother I lost and that is the father his boys lost.”

10:31 a.m. Amy Richins approaches the podium. She says today is Eric’s 44th birthday. “Today is a cruel reminder of another year Eric will never see and a reminder of the fatherhood that was stolen from his three sons.” Amy says Eric was outgoing, confident, funny, competitive, dependable, driven and fiercely loyal. He was a leader, a hard worker, a coach, a businessman, a best friend, a brother, and a son. “But more than anything, people describe him as a phenomenal father.”

10:30 a.m. Clint says Kouri chose greed, lust, adultery, and murder. Clint asks judge to impose a sentence of life without parole.

10:28 a.m. “Kouri has demonstrated zero accountability or remorse. She continues to portray herself as the victim. She has used the legal system as part of her schemes,” Clint says. He says there is continued hostility from Kouri and her family to Eric’s family. “Statements they have made about going to war and ‘getting the Richins’ rather than remorse or acceptance of responsibility,” Clint says.

10:26 a.m. Clint says Eric’s death caused fear, suffering and pain. “Kouri was fantasizing about a dream life without Eric.” Clint thanks law enforcement, experts, jurors, the judge, and everyone who worked tirelessly to uncover the truth. He also thanks the community for showing unwavering support for Eric’s boys. “The boys are succeeding and thriving because of the people around them to continue to provide support.”

10:24 a.m. “Please do not let my brother’s life be worth more than a 25-year prison sentence. Please do not create a possibility for Kouri to endanger Eric’s sons, my daughters. Please sentence Kouri to life in prison without the possibility of parole.” Katie is done speaking. Clint Benson, her husband, will now speak.

10:22 a.m. Katie says this case has been covered my media outlets around the world. She says Kouri is now famous – she’s famous because she poisoned her husband, she Googled luxury prisons in America, and she victimized her own children. “The fame and attention are directly proportional to the evil that has gone on here,” Katie says. “Kouri did not only harm Eric, she permanently harmed three children under the age of 10.”

10:20 a.m. Katie says when Eric told her he had changed the trust agreement, she begged him to leave Kouri. Eric told Katie his son did not like her and wanted to be far away from her, but he knew divorce carried a significant risk. “He could never allow his children to spend half their time away from him because of what they would be exposed to.” Eric believed Kouri was deeply dangerous, Katie says. Kouri’s mouth falls open as Katie says this and speaks with her attorney.

10:18 a.m. Katie goes on to say that Kouri has made their lives horrible. Katie mentions the Walk the Dog letter and how Kouri planned to target Katie’s daughters. “It takes a sick mind to target kids.” Kouri is staring at Katie while she speaks and seems surprised by what is being said. She shakes her head. Katie: “I am not the only one who is afraid. There are three little boys who worry constantly that Kouri might show up one day and take them away. Eric’s sons deserve so much better. They are not bargaining chips or cash cows for some twisted children’s book about grief.”

10:16 a.m. Katie says Kouri drained the bank accounts that Eric had set up for the boys. Kouri sued Katie three times to get access to Eric’s assets. “She knows that none of Eric’s assets are going to me, my dad or Eric’s sister. She knows the money is going to his boys and for four years, she has been trying to take their inheritance from them.” Katie mentions that Kouri’s civil lawsuits live on. She says they have been grueling and expensive. “Every dollar on those lawsuits is a dollar Eric’s boys won’t get.”

10:13 a.m. Katie says almost immediately after Eric died, she cut off the boys from their family. “She used them as a bargaining chip” and used them to get access to the trust assets, Katie says. Katie says the boys were led to believe that she hated them and was trying to take Eric’s money for herself. Kouri told the boys they would be homeless and starving, Katie says. “Prior to Eric’s death, our families were very close. Our daughters and his sons were very close.”

10:10 a.m. Eric was very close with his mom, Katie says. She says Eric’s life and actions tell a story of goodness, strength and character. “The saddest part for me, in all of this, is that I got something with Eric that his kids never did. Time.” Katie says the eldest son told her that he didn’t even get ten years with his dad. Katie says it’s devastating that his sons will live nearly their entire lives without their dad. “By the time they are 44 years old, which is how old Eric would be today, they will have little to no actual members of Eric because their mother planned and carried out his murder. She could not have done anything more selfish or more cruel for those boys.” Katie says Kouri gave the boys permanent trauma.

10:09 a.m. “Today is Eric’s birthday. I stand before you because he can’t,” Katie says as she begins to cry. “Nearly every aspect of our lives has been permanently changed.” Katie says Eric was a phenomenal person and they were extremely close. “Wherever Eric went, I usually tagged along right behind.” Eric was nicknamed Richey and she was nicknamed Little Richey. Katie says Eric made sure his kids were always having fun, taught them how to be respectful and kind and everything he did was for his boys.

10:07 a.m. Katie Richins now approaches the lectern. She begins by saying that multiple people deserve credit and appreciation. Prosecutors, detectives, friends and others. “To all of you, please know this would not be possible without your efforts, your support, and the strength of the community that has stood beside us.” Katie thanks the judge and the jury.

10:04 a.m. Gene asks the judge to sentence Kouri to life in prison without parole. Gene thanks everyone who has investigated and worked on the case. “We are deeply thankful to the prosecution team,” Gene says, naming all the prosecutors. “We also want to recognize and thank Todd (Gabler – the PI) for his dedication.” Gene thanks the family advocate, Grace. Gene thanks the sheriff’s office and detectives. “We thank you, your honor, for your patience, professionalism and stewardship of this process.” Gene thanks all the jurors. “Nothing can bring Eric back. Nothing can restore what has been taken from his sons, from our family and from this community, but accountability matters here. Justice matters. Eric mattered. His life, his love mattered. His example mattered. He will always be remembered as a devoted father…and a man who made lives of those around him better. We miss him every day and will continue to honor his memory.”

10:02 a.m. “Eric’s boys lost a father. I lost my son. His sisters lost their brother. Our family lost a man who represented the very best of what a person could be. The ripple effects of this loss extend beyond our family. The children he coached lost a mentor, a role model,” Gene says. People sitting with Eric’s family are wiping tears from their eyes.

10 a.m. Gene says the sports teams still break their huddle by saying, “1-2-3 Eric.” “I miss watching him grow into a man I was so proud of. One of the greatest joys of my life was seeing the kind of father he had become.” Gene says Eric was fully present in his kids’ lives. “Eric was also an amazing brother two sisters.” Gene says Eric was a trusted business partner, colleague, and member of the community. “He treated people with respect, showed gratitude even for the smallest acts of kindness, and gave freely of himself because that’s simply who he was.”

9:58 a.m. Gene Richins approaches the podium. “Eric was first and foremost an incredible father. To his three boys, his sons were his world and he was theirs also. They didn’t just see him as a dad, they saw him as their best friend, their coach, their mentor. He was present in every part of their life.” Gene says Eric would coach and support every child on his boys’ sports teams. “He built character and friendship. He gave him time freely because he cared deeply about helping young people grow into strong, kind and capable individuals.”

9:56 a.m. Bloodworth asks that Richins be ordered to pay restitution to the insurance companies and repay Summit County for the trial. “Kouri Richins earned this.” Bloodworth says fathers are not meant to bury sons. Gene Richins will speak first. Katie Richins Benson, Clint Benson and Dr. Amy Richins will then present their victim impact statements. “There are no greater victims in this case than Eric’s three young boys. The defendant took both of their parents from them.” Three of the counselors will present the boys victim impact statements.

9:53 a.m. Bloodworth now takes the stand and says that on Valentine’s Day 2022, Kouri Richins tried and failed to murder her husband and father of their kids. “She used poison and for money. Such a person should never again lurk among the rest of us. Her children should never worry that they may one day encounter her. For these reasons, the reasons set forth in the state’s sentencing memorandum, and for boundless other reasons, the state requests the court impose a sentence of life in prison without parole on count one.”

9:52 a.m. Judge says Eric’s family could qualify for a stalking injunction in the future and mentions the juvenile court could put in restrictions between Kouri and her kids. Judge asks Nester if she’s had a chance to review the pre-sentence report with Kouri. Nester says there are inaccuracies related to the factual recitations that happened during the trial.

9:50 a.m. Judge says he doesn’t like what he’s about to say, but under the law, he cannot legally grant a protective order against Eric’s family and their children. He says the legislature needs to take a hard look at the law “to fill this gap explicitly, but they haven’t done it yet.”

9:48 a.m. Defense attorney Kathy Nester agrees with the judge and says he can’t legally grant the order. Nester says Kouri could never send her sons a birthday card. Judge says to take the kids out of it and only talk about Eric’s siblings. Judge says Kouri has not lost her parental rights and that would be handled in juvenile court. Nester says Kouri has no plans to contact Eric’s family.

9:43 a.m. Judge addressing Bloodworth’s request for a continuance protective order. Bloodworth asked the judge to rule that Kouri cannot have contact with her children unless they initiate it. Judge Mrazik says he isn’t sure he can legally grant the order. Bloodworth says even though Utah law considers Eric as the only technical victim, the kids and other family members are victims too.

9:40 a.m. Judge discussing the need to set a restitution hearing. It will be at 1:30 p.m. on July 31 and the hearing will be in-person.

9:36 a.m. Judge explains how today will go. He will address some administrative issues, the prosecutor will call victims to speak, Kouri can speak if she wants to. Judge says everyone in the courtroom deserves respect while in the courtroom so there can be no outward reactions to what it said today. “This is an emotionally charged situation reasonably so, but no outward reactions.”

9:34 a.m. The two rows for Eric’s family are full. Each of the two rows reserved for Kouri’s are half empty. Judge Richard Mrazik has entered the courtroom and is on the bench.

9:30 a.m. I am in the courtroom. Kouri Richins is sitting at the defense table in a lime green jail uniform. Her mother and other supporters are on the back two rows of the courtroom. Eric Richins family and friends are on the first two rows. Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth and his team are at the prosecutors table.