![L’affaire avait fait grand bruit dans l'Utah. [Melissa MAJCHRZAK / AFP]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/107227453/eb265d0a8ee864da7d59513722b59d0d6a28ed3cf71e66feff239160405cd875)
Overview
- Jurors heard opening statements Monday in Summit County as the monthlong trial began, nearly four years after Eric Richins was found dead in the couple’s Kamas home.
- The state alleges Kouri Richins served her husband a celebratory cocktail laced with fentanyl, with toxicology indicating a concentration about five times a lethal dose.
- Prosecutors highlight earlier warnings, including a severe illness on February 14, 2022, after food from his wife, when Eric allegedly told a friend he feared poisoning.
- Investigators cite deleted messages, incriminating web searches, and a housekeeper who says she supplied fentanyl and received immunity to testify.
- The defense counters that Eric may have overdosed given health issues and possible painkiller use, notes no fentanyl was found in the home, and plays the 911 call to portray a grieving spouse; Richins pleads not guilty and faces up to life in prison, with proceedings expected to run through March 26.