Topline: A witness testified about a secret affair with the Utah mom accused of killing her husband with a fentanyl-laced drink.
Published: March 11, 2026 6:00 am ET
Must Read
Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Robert Josh Grossman (via Court TV)
PARK CITY, UT — The former lover of Kouri Richins wept on the witness stand as prosecutors revealed emotional text messages between the pair before the March 2022 killing.
Robert Josh Grossman testified at the Summit County Courthouse on March 4 in the murder trial of the Utah mother. Richins, 35, is accused of lacing her husband Eric Richins’ Moscow mule with five times a lethal dose of fentanyl.
Grossman, a military veteran who served in Iraq, wiped away tears during his testimony as the state presented evidence of their romantic relationship. According to NBC News, the two began an affair in early 2020 after he moved to Utah to work with Richins on her real estate business.
Court records show Richins allowed Grossman to live in a house she was flipping. During the trial, prosecutors displayed a text exchange where Richins asked Grossman if he would marry her if she were divorced.
“Yes. In Love with Y O U! Of course I would,” Grossman responded, as reported by KSL.
In another message sent days later, Richins allegedly wrote to Grossman that life would be “perfect” if her husband would “just go away.”
The emotional weight of the testimony led Judge Richard Mrazik to ask Grossman if he required a break. Grossman told the court “I don’t know what I need,” according to NBC News.
Prosecutors allege Richins was motivated by a desire to collect on life insurance policies to pay down business debts. Court documents state Richins owed lenders at least $1,847,760 at the time of her husband’s death, per court documents.
Following the death of Eric Richins, the defendant wrote a children’s book about grieving a lost parent. As per KSL, Grossman testified about a conversation he had with Richins during that period.
“We sat there and talked for quite a while. … I had never seen her that way, obviously, and it was a heavy conversation, and I’m not used to that with her. She’s not used to being open like that,” he said to the jury. “She asked if I had ever killed anybody. … She asked me how it made me feel or something along those lines. And then I answered her.”
The couple ended their relationship a few months after Eric Richins died. Grossman testified he did not suspect Richins was involved in the death at the time of their breakup.
Since her arrest, Grossman said he has been overwhelmed with sorrow regarding his infidelity and his actions. He told the court he felt guilt over his involvement with the defendant, according to NBC News.
Richins has remained in custody since her arrest. The trial continues to examine the timeline of Richins’ finances and the murder of Eric Richins.
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 Picks
Latest Articles
Kouri Richins Murder Trial: Ex-Boyfriend Breaks Down in Court
A witness testified about a secret affair with the Utah mom accused of killing her husband with a fentanyl-laced drink.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 11, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Robert Josh Grossman (via Court TV)
PARK CITY, UT — The former lover of Kouri Richins wept on the witness stand as prosecutors revealed emotional text messages between the pair before the March 2022 killing.
Robert Josh Grossman testified at the Summit County Courthouse on March 4 in the murder trial of the Utah mother. Richins, 35, is accused of lacing her husband Eric Richins’ Moscow mule with five times a lethal dose of fentanyl.
Grossman, a military veteran who served in Iraq, wiped away tears during his testimony as the state presented evidence of their romantic relationship. According to NBC News, the two began an affair in early 2020 after he moved to Utah to work with Richins on her real estate business.
Court records show Richins allowed Grossman to live in a house she was flipping. During the trial, prosecutors displayed a text exchange where Richins asked Grossman if he would marry her if she were divorced.
“Yes. In Love with Y O U! Of course I would,” Grossman responded, as reported by KSL.
In another message sent days later, Richins allegedly wrote to Grossman that life would be “perfect” if her husband would “just go away.”
The emotional weight of the testimony led Judge Richard Mrazik to ask Grossman if he required a break. Grossman told the court “I don’t know what I need,” according to NBC News.
Prosecutors allege Richins was motivated by a desire to collect on life insurance policies to pay down business debts. Court documents state Richins owed lenders at least $1,847,760 at the time of her husband’s death, per court documents.
Following the death of Eric Richins, the defendant wrote a children’s book about grieving a lost parent. As per KSL, Grossman testified about a conversation he had with Richins during that period.
“We sat there and talked for quite a while. … I had never seen her that way, obviously, and it was a heavy conversation, and I’m not used to that with her. She’s not used to being open like that,” he said to the jury. “She asked if I had ever killed anybody. … She asked me how it made me feel or something along those lines. And then I answered her.”
The couple ended their relationship a few months after Eric Richins died. Grossman testified he did not suspect Richins was involved in the death at the time of their breakup.
Since her arrest, Grossman said he has been overwhelmed with sorrow regarding his infidelity and his actions. He told the court he felt guilt over his involvement with the defendant, according to NBC News.
Richins has remained in custody since her arrest. The trial continues to examine the timeline of Richins’ finances and the murder of Eric Richins.
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 Murder Trial: Ex-Boyfriend Breaks Down in Court
A witness testified about a secret affair with the Utah mom accused of killing her husband with a fentanyl-laced drink.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 11, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Robert Josh Grossman (via Court TV)
PARK CITY, UT — The former lover of Kouri Richins wept on the witness stand as prosecutors revealed emotional text messages between the pair before the March 2022 killing.
Robert Josh Grossman testified at the Summit County Courthouse on March 4 in the murder trial of the Utah mother. Richins, 35, is accused of lacing her husband Eric Richins’ Moscow mule with five times a lethal dose of fentanyl.
Grossman, a military veteran who served in Iraq, wiped away tears during his testimony as the state presented evidence of their romantic relationship. According to NBC News, the two began an affair in early 2020 after he moved to Utah to work with Richins on her real estate business.
Court records show Richins allowed Grossman to live in a house she was flipping. During the trial, prosecutors displayed a text exchange where Richins asked Grossman if he would marry her if she were divorced.
“Yes. In Love with Y O U! Of course I would,” Grossman responded, as reported by KSL.
In another message sent days later, Richins allegedly wrote to Grossman that life would be “perfect” if her husband would “just go away.”
The emotional weight of the testimony led Judge Richard Mrazik to ask Grossman if he required a break. Grossman told the court “I don’t know what I need,” according to NBC News.
Prosecutors allege Richins was motivated by a desire to collect on life insurance policies to pay down business debts. Court documents state Richins owed lenders at least $1,847,760 at the time of her husband’s death, per court documents.
Following the death of Eric Richins, the defendant wrote a children’s book about grieving a lost parent. As per KSL, Grossman testified about a conversation he had with Richins during that period.
“We sat there and talked for quite a while. … I had never seen her that way, obviously, and it was a heavy conversation, and I’m not used to that with her. She’s not used to being open like that,” he said to the jury. “She asked if I had ever killed anybody. … She asked me how it made me feel or something along those lines. And then I answered her.”
The couple ended their relationship a few months after Eric Richins died. Grossman testified he did not suspect Richins was involved in the death at the time of their breakup.
Since her arrest, Grossman said he has been overwhelmed with sorrow regarding his infidelity and his actions. He told the court he felt guilt over his involvement with the defendant, according to NBC News.
Richins has remained in custody since her arrest. The trial continues to examine the timeline of Richins’ finances and the murder of Eric Richins.
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
