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.

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.