PARK CITY – After several delays, the preliminary hearing in Kouri Richins’ case is scheduled to take place in late August.
Richins is accused of killing her husband Eric Richins (39) in March 2022. According to prosecutors, he had a five-lethal dose of fentanyl in his body.
While police were investigating his death, Richins wrote a children’s book about coping with grief, which featured her children. She was not charged until more than a year after his death in May 2023.
On May 15, the Park City courtroom was packed for her preliminary hearing. Her then-attorney, Skye Lazaro, expressed her intention to contest all evidence.
Summit County Assistant Prosecutor Bradley Bloodworth said he was not prepared to argue whether those pieces of evidence were admissible, saying they had received no warning and the hearing had been postponed.
A few days later, Richins’ lawyers decided to withdraw from the case, and the preliminary hearing was postponed again as the newly appointed lawyers were given an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the proceedings.
One of those lawyers, Wendy Lewis, said Friday that she had discussed those pieces of evidence with prosecutors and would be ready to move forward in a few months.
Attorneys agreed that the hearing could last two to three days, and 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik scheduled it for August 26, 27 and 28.
During a preliminary hearing, a judge decides whether there is enough evidence to put the defendant on trial.
Richins is charged with aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder (first-degree felonies), two counts of trafficking in controlled substances, two counts of insurance fraud and two counts of mortgage fraud (second-degree felonies), and three counts of forgery (third-degree felonies).
