Topline: A housekeeper and a drug supplier disagreed on whether the Utah mom purchased fentanyl or oxycodone before her husband’s death.
Published: March 2, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Robert Crozier (via CourtTV)
SUMMIT COUNTY, UT — Conflicting testimony from a housekeeper and an alleged drug supplier capped the first week of the Kouri Richins murder trial.
The week of testimony in 3rd District Court focused on the origin of the illicit drugs that killed Eric Richins. Prosecutors alleged Kouri Richins obtained fentanyl through her housekeeper, Carmen Lauber, to facilitate the murder.
Lauber testified she sold Kouri Richins what she believed was fentanyl shortly before the March 2022 overdose, as reported by KPCW. However, defense attorney Wendy Lewis challenged Lauber’s memory and credibility during a cross-examination that lasted two days.
Lewis suggested Lauber was pursuing immunity. She highlighted differences between Lauber’s current testimony and statements she made to investigators in 2023. When asked if she failed to remember the events of 2022, Lauber answered, “Yes and no.”
Chief prosecutor Brad Bloodworth acknowledged that the witness appeared confused by the various dates and interviews. Bloodworth told the court that while Lauber was confused, she remained truthful.
The prosecution’s narrative faced further complications when Robert Crozier took the stand. Prosecutors identified Crozier as the original source of the drugs.
Crozier previously backed Lauber’s account but has since recanted, according to reporting from KSL. He testified Friday that he sold Lauber oxycodone, not fentanyl. He agreed with Bloodworth’s summary that the “blues” he sold in 2022 were believed to be oxycodone at that time.
“It is fair to summarize your testimony today that you sold Carmen Lauber, on at least one, maybe two occasions, M30s and ‘blues,’ and you believe that M30s and ‘blues’ referred to — at that time [2022] — oxycodone?” Bloodworth asked Crozier.
Medical experts, including a medical examiner and a toxicologist, testified earlier in the week regarding the autopsy of Eric Richins. They reported his cause of death was an overdose involving high levels of fentanyl.
The defense and prosecution also addressed the presence of marijuana gummies in the Richins’ home. Body camera footage showed Kouri Richins telling officers her husband took a THC edible before going to bed on March 3, 2022.
Attorneys noted that none of the edibles seized from the home tested positive for fentanyl. Defense attorney Kathy Nester pointed to an empty hydrocodone bottle found in Eric Richins’ bedside drawer by a first responder.
The bottle was prescribed to Eric Richins in 2016. Nester said the container was never tested for drug residue or other substances during the investigation.
Kouri Richins faces five felony charges. The current trial is scheduled to last five weeks, with the aggravated murder charge serving as the primary focus of the proceedings.
Before dismissing the jury on Feb. 27, 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik disclosed that a motion for a mistrial had been filed during the week. Mrazik did not provide details regarding the grounds for the motion but confirmed he denied it.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Kouri Richins Trial: Alleged Drug Dealer and Housekeeper Give Conflicting Testimony
A housekeeper and a drug supplier disagreed on whether the Utah mom purchased fentanyl or oxycodone before her husband’s death.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 2, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Robert Crozier (via CourtTV)
SUMMIT COUNTY, UT — Conflicting testimony from a housekeeper and an alleged drug supplier capped the first week of the Kouri Richins murder trial.
The week of testimony in 3rd District Court focused on the origin of the illicit drugs that killed Eric Richins. Prosecutors alleged Kouri Richins obtained fentanyl through her housekeeper, Carmen Lauber, to facilitate the murder.
Lauber testified she sold Kouri Richins what she believed was fentanyl shortly before the March 2022 overdose, as reported by KPCW. However, defense attorney Wendy Lewis challenged Lauber’s memory and credibility during a cross-examination that lasted two days.
Lewis suggested Lauber was pursuing immunity. She highlighted differences between Lauber’s current testimony and statements she made to investigators in 2023. When asked if she failed to remember the events of 2022, Lauber answered, “Yes and no.”
Chief prosecutor Brad Bloodworth acknowledged that the witness appeared confused by the various dates and interviews. Bloodworth told the court that while Lauber was confused, she remained truthful.
The prosecution’s narrative faced further complications when Robert Crozier took the stand. Prosecutors identified Crozier as the original source of the drugs.
Crozier previously backed Lauber’s account but has since recanted, according to reporting from KSL. He testified Friday that he sold Lauber oxycodone, not fentanyl. He agreed with Bloodworth’s summary that the “blues” he sold in 2022 were believed to be oxycodone at that time.
“It is fair to summarize your testimony today that you sold Carmen Lauber, on at least one, maybe two occasions, M30s and ‘blues,’ and you believe that M30s and ‘blues’ referred to — at that time [2022] — oxycodone?” Bloodworth asked Crozier.
Medical experts, including a medical examiner and a toxicologist, testified earlier in the week regarding the autopsy of Eric Richins. They reported his cause of death was an overdose involving high levels of fentanyl.
The defense and prosecution also addressed the presence of marijuana gummies in the Richins’ home. Body camera footage showed Kouri Richins telling officers her husband took a THC edible before going to bed on March 3, 2022.
Attorneys noted that none of the edibles seized from the home tested positive for fentanyl. Defense attorney Kathy Nester pointed to an empty hydrocodone bottle found in Eric Richins’ bedside drawer by a first responder.
The bottle was prescribed to Eric Richins in 2016. Nester said the container was never tested for drug residue or other substances during the investigation.
Kouri Richins faces five felony charges. The current trial is scheduled to last five weeks, with the aggravated murder charge serving as the primary focus of the proceedings.
Before dismissing the jury on Feb. 27, 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik disclosed that a motion for a mistrial had been filed during the week. Mrazik did not provide details regarding the grounds for the motion but confirmed he denied it.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Kouri Richins Trial: Alleged Drug Dealer and Housekeeper Give Conflicting Testimony
A housekeeper and a drug supplier disagreed on whether the Utah mom purchased fentanyl or oxycodone before her husband’s death.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 2, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Robert Crozier (via CourtTV)
SUMMIT COUNTY, UT — Conflicting testimony from a housekeeper and an alleged drug supplier capped the first week of the Kouri Richins murder trial.
The week of testimony in 3rd District Court focused on the origin of the illicit drugs that killed Eric Richins. Prosecutors alleged Kouri Richins obtained fentanyl through her housekeeper, Carmen Lauber, to facilitate the murder.
Lauber testified she sold Kouri Richins what she believed was fentanyl shortly before the March 2022 overdose, as reported by KPCW. However, defense attorney Wendy Lewis challenged Lauber’s memory and credibility during a cross-examination that lasted two days.
Lewis suggested Lauber was pursuing immunity. She highlighted differences between Lauber’s current testimony and statements she made to investigators in 2023. When asked if she failed to remember the events of 2022, Lauber answered, “Yes and no.”
Chief prosecutor Brad Bloodworth acknowledged that the witness appeared confused by the various dates and interviews. Bloodworth told the court that while Lauber was confused, she remained truthful.
The prosecution’s narrative faced further complications when Robert Crozier took the stand. Prosecutors identified Crozier as the original source of the drugs.
Crozier previously backed Lauber’s account but has since recanted, according to reporting from KSL. He testified Friday that he sold Lauber oxycodone, not fentanyl. He agreed with Bloodworth’s summary that the “blues” he sold in 2022 were believed to be oxycodone at that time.
“It is fair to summarize your testimony today that you sold Carmen Lauber, on at least one, maybe two occasions, M30s and ‘blues,’ and you believe that M30s and ‘blues’ referred to — at that time [2022] — oxycodone?” Bloodworth asked Crozier.
Medical experts, including a medical examiner and a toxicologist, testified earlier in the week regarding the autopsy of Eric Richins. They reported his cause of death was an overdose involving high levels of fentanyl.
The defense and prosecution also addressed the presence of marijuana gummies in the Richins’ home. Body camera footage showed Kouri Richins telling officers her husband took a THC edible before going to bed on March 3, 2022.
Attorneys noted that none of the edibles seized from the home tested positive for fentanyl. Defense attorney Kathy Nester pointed to an empty hydrocodone bottle found in Eric Richins’ bedside drawer by a first responder.
The bottle was prescribed to Eric Richins in 2016. Nester said the container was never tested for drug residue or other substances during the investigation.
Kouri Richins faces five felony charges. The current trial is scheduled to last five weeks, with the aggravated murder charge serving as the primary focus of the proceedings.
Before dismissing the jury on Feb. 27, 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik disclosed that a motion for a mistrial had been filed during the week. Mrazik did not provide details regarding the grounds for the motion but confirmed he denied it.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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