Overview
- Deliberations lasted about three hours, and the foreperson said the panel was unanimous with no consideration of not guilty on any element.
- Prosecutors presented a financial motive involving more than $2.2 million in life insurance and argued Richins was in severe debt, with jurors finding the crimes were for financial benefit.
- Key testimony came from housecleaner Carmen Lauber, who said she obtained pills for Richins; cell-phone location data placed phones linked to Lauber and supplier Robert Crozier at a gas station on relevant dates.
- Digital and behavioral evidence included deleted messages, internet searches about lethal fentanyl and poisoning, and a jail-cell “Walk the Dog” letter prosecutors said outlined a fabricated narrative.
- The medical examiner found roughly five times a lethal dose of fentanyl, and Richins, convicted on all counts including attempted aggravated murder, forgery and insurance fraud, is set for sentencing on May 13, 2026.