Topline: Prosecutors near the end of their case against a Utah woman accused of fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl.
Published: March 12, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Private Investigator Todd Gabler (via CourtTV)
PARK CITY, UT — On March 9, Eric Richins’ longtime business partner testified in the murder trial of Kouri Richins, along with a private investigator and a handwriting expert.
Cody Wright, who co-founded C&E Masonry with Eric Richins in 2010, told the jury his partner was “the life of the party” and never used illicit drugs. According to KSL, prosecutors moved toward closing their case during the third week of the trial for Kouri Richins.
Kouri Richins, 35, is charged with aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder for the March 2022 death of her husband. Prosecutors allege she previously attempted to kill him on Valentine’s Day too that same year.
Wright described a phone call he received from Eric Richins on Valentine’s Day in 2022. He testified his partner sounded urgent and had fear in his voice, a tone he had heard only twice before: when Richins’ mother died and after a serious accident.
Under cross-examination, Wright acknowledged reports of Eric Richins using THC or pills during high school but maintained he never saw the victim use drugs as an adult. Defense attorney Kathy Nestor argued Eric Richins’ alleged drug history would prove her client’s innocence.
Nestor asked to impeach Wright or have his testimony stricken, claiming he changed his story regarding the drug history. Third District Judge Richard Mrazik denied the request, ruling Wright did not contradict his prior statements.
The jury also heard from George Throckmorton, a crime scene technician and handwriting expert. He testified about a signature on a 2022 application for term life insurance in Eric Richins’ name.
Throckmorton said Eric Richins probably did not sign the document. He described the signature as a simulated forgery written by someone with access to the victim’s handwriting in an attempt to pass it off as genuine.
Todd Gabler, a private investigator hired by the Richins family, testified he spent more than 900 hours reviewing cellphone and billing records, as reported by KPCW. Gabler said he documented the home on May 8, 2023, immediately after the sheriff’s office released the scene.
Gabler testified he found hundreds of texts between Kouri Richins and Carmen Lauber, a witness who previously testified she provided drugs to the defendant. He said Kouri Richins communicated with Lauber more than anyone except her husband and mother.
The prosecution played the 911 call Kouri Richins made to report her husband was unresponsive. On the recording, she told dispatchers she had been sleeping with her children and found her husband “cold” in their bed.
In the recording, Kouri Richins told the dispatcher her husband was “dead weight” when asked to move him for CPR. She was heard telling her children to leave the room during the call.
Summit County Sheriff’s Detective Jayme Woody, the initial lead investigator, testified that Eric Richins’ sister expressed suspicions about Kouri Richins immediately. Woody said an initial search of the kitchen trash did not find evidence of drugs.
Woody testified that after toxicology reports confirmed a fentanyl overdose, police obtained warrants for the home and vehicle. No fentanyl was found, but investigators seized the cellphones of both the victim and the defendant.
Detective Jeff O’Driscoll, who later took over the lead role in the investigation, is expected to be the final witness for the prosecution. The defense informed the court it plans to recall certain witnesses during its portion of the trial.
Kouri Richins also faces felony charges for insurance fraud and forgery. A separate case involving financial charges against her will be handled later.
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 Murder Trial: Court Hears From Business Partner, PI and Handwriting Expert
Prosecutors near the end of their case against a Utah woman accused of fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 12, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Private Investigator Todd Gabler (via CourtTV)
PARK CITY, UT — On March 9, Eric Richins’ longtime business partner testified in the murder trial of Kouri Richins, along with a private investigator and a handwriting expert.
Cody Wright, who co-founded C&E Masonry with Eric Richins in 2010, told the jury his partner was “the life of the party” and never used illicit drugs. According to KSL, prosecutors moved toward closing their case during the third week of the trial for Kouri Richins.
Kouri Richins, 35, is charged with aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder for the March 2022 death of her husband. Prosecutors allege she previously attempted to kill him on Valentine’s Day too that same year.
Wright described a phone call he received from Eric Richins on Valentine’s Day in 2022. He testified his partner sounded urgent and had fear in his voice, a tone he had heard only twice before: when Richins’ mother died and after a serious accident.
Under cross-examination, Wright acknowledged reports of Eric Richins using THC or pills during high school but maintained he never saw the victim use drugs as an adult. Defense attorney Kathy Nestor argued Eric Richins’ alleged drug history would prove her client’s innocence.
Nestor asked to impeach Wright or have his testimony stricken, claiming he changed his story regarding the drug history. Third District Judge Richard Mrazik denied the request, ruling Wright did not contradict his prior statements.
The jury also heard from George Throckmorton, a crime scene technician and handwriting expert. He testified about a signature on a 2022 application for term life insurance in Eric Richins’ name.
Throckmorton said Eric Richins probably did not sign the document. He described the signature as a simulated forgery written by someone with access to the victim’s handwriting in an attempt to pass it off as genuine.
Todd Gabler, a private investigator hired by the Richins family, testified he spent more than 900 hours reviewing cellphone and billing records, as reported by KPCW. Gabler said he documented the home on May 8, 2023, immediately after the sheriff’s office released the scene.
Gabler testified he found hundreds of texts between Kouri Richins and Carmen Lauber, a witness who previously testified she provided drugs to the defendant. He said Kouri Richins communicated with Lauber more than anyone except her husband and mother.
The prosecution played the 911 call Kouri Richins made to report her husband was unresponsive. On the recording, she told dispatchers she had been sleeping with her children and found her husband “cold” in their bed.
In the recording, Kouri Richins told the dispatcher her husband was “dead weight” when asked to move him for CPR. She was heard telling her children to leave the room during the call.
Summit County Sheriff’s Detective Jayme Woody, the initial lead investigator, testified that Eric Richins’ sister expressed suspicions about Kouri Richins immediately. Woody said an initial search of the kitchen trash did not find evidence of drugs.
Woody testified that after toxicology reports confirmed a fentanyl overdose, police obtained warrants for the home and vehicle. No fentanyl was found, but investigators seized the cellphones of both the victim and the defendant.
Detective Jeff O’Driscoll, who later took over the lead role in the investigation, is expected to be the final witness for the prosecution. The defense informed the court it plans to recall certain witnesses during its portion of the trial.
Kouri Richins also faces felony charges for insurance fraud and forgery. A separate case involving financial charges against her will be handled later.
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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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Kouri Richins Murder Trial: Court Hears From Business Partner, PI and Handwriting Expert
Prosecutors near the end of their case against a Utah woman accused of fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 12, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Private Investigator Todd Gabler (via CourtTV)
PARK CITY, UT — On March 9, Eric Richins’ longtime business partner testified in the murder trial of Kouri Richins, along with a private investigator and a handwriting expert.
Cody Wright, who co-founded C&E Masonry with Eric Richins in 2010, told the jury his partner was “the life of the party” and never used illicit drugs. According to KSL, prosecutors moved toward closing their case during the third week of the trial for Kouri Richins.
Kouri Richins, 35, is charged with aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder for the March 2022 death of her husband. Prosecutors allege she previously attempted to kill him on Valentine’s Day too that same year.
Wright described a phone call he received from Eric Richins on Valentine’s Day in 2022. He testified his partner sounded urgent and had fear in his voice, a tone he had heard only twice before: when Richins’ mother died and after a serious accident.
Under cross-examination, Wright acknowledged reports of Eric Richins using THC or pills during high school but maintained he never saw the victim use drugs as an adult. Defense attorney Kathy Nestor argued Eric Richins’ alleged drug history would prove her client’s innocence.
Nestor asked to impeach Wright or have his testimony stricken, claiming he changed his story regarding the drug history. Third District Judge Richard Mrazik denied the request, ruling Wright did not contradict his prior statements.
The jury also heard from George Throckmorton, a crime scene technician and handwriting expert. He testified about a signature on a 2022 application for term life insurance in Eric Richins’ name.
Throckmorton said Eric Richins probably did not sign the document. He described the signature as a simulated forgery written by someone with access to the victim’s handwriting in an attempt to pass it off as genuine.
Todd Gabler, a private investigator hired by the Richins family, testified he spent more than 900 hours reviewing cellphone and billing records, as reported by KPCW. Gabler said he documented the home on May 8, 2023, immediately after the sheriff’s office released the scene.
Gabler testified he found hundreds of texts between Kouri Richins and Carmen Lauber, a witness who previously testified she provided drugs to the defendant. He said Kouri Richins communicated with Lauber more than anyone except her husband and mother.
The prosecution played the 911 call Kouri Richins made to report her husband was unresponsive. On the recording, she told dispatchers she had been sleeping with her children and found her husband “cold” in their bed.
In the recording, Kouri Richins told the dispatcher her husband was “dead weight” when asked to move him for CPR. She was heard telling her children to leave the room during the call.
Summit County Sheriff’s Detective Jayme Woody, the initial lead investigator, testified that Eric Richins’ sister expressed suspicions about Kouri Richins immediately. Woody said an initial search of the kitchen trash did not find evidence of drugs.
Woody testified that after toxicology reports confirmed a fentanyl overdose, police obtained warrants for the home and vehicle. No fentanyl was found, but investigators seized the cellphones of both the victim and the defendant.
Detective Jeff O’Driscoll, who later took over the lead role in the investigation, is expected to be the final witness for the prosecution. The defense informed the court it plans to recall certain witnesses during its portion of the trial.
Kouri Richins also faces felony charges for insurance fraud and forgery. A separate case involving financial charges against her will be handled later.
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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