KAMAS, UTAH: Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against Kouri Richins, a Utah widow who wrote a children’s book about coping with grief after killing her husband Eric Richins.
The 33-year-old children’s book author was arrested on May 8 after she allegedly poisoned Eric with fentanyl at their Kamas home.
An autopsy later confirmed that Eric had died from an overdose of fentanyl on March 4, 2002, with the medical examiner claiming the level of the drug in his system was approximately five times the lethal dosage.
Richins has since been charged with counts of criminal homicide, aggravated murder, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Why Kouri Richins won’t face the death penalty in Eric’s death?
A court filing on Friday, August 18 noted that prosecutors have decided to not seek the death penalty against Richins after conferring with the victim's father and two sisters.
“The State of Utah hereby provides notice of its intent not to seek the death penalty in this matter,” stated a notice of intent from the Summit County Attorney’s Office filed with the court.
“This decision was made in careful consultation with Eric Richins’ father and his two sisters, who are Eric Richins’ Personal Representative and Victim Representative, respectively,” the statement continued, according to ABC News.
Richins’ aggravated murder charge will now be handled as a noncapital first-degree felony. She can now face 25 years to life in prison if she is found guilty.
Why Kouri Richins planned Eric's murder?
This development came after a judge denied Richins’ bail and a pretrial release due to the “substantial evidence” against her in June.
Prosecutors previously claimed that Richins planned her husband's murder for a long time, arranging financial arrangements and buying medicines that were detected in his system following his death in March 2022.
Richins’ attorneys point out that no drugs were found at the family home after her husband's death. They've also suggested that a witness, a housekeeper who claims to have sold Richins the drugs, had the motivation to lie as she sought leniency in the face of state and federal drug charges.
Meanwhile, the mother is also facing a lawsuit seeking over $13 million in damages for alleged financial wrongdoing before and after Eric’s death.
Katie Richins, Eric's sister, filed the lawsuit in state court accusing Richins of stealing money from her husband's accounts, diverting funds intended to pay his taxes, and applying for a false loan among other things before his passing.
Following a June hearing, Katie also called Richins “desperate, greedy, and extremely manipulative.” She has even filed a petition against the accused to remove her from the estate but no action can reportedly be taken unless she's found guilty.
