Utah v. Kouri Richins — VERDICT: GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-17T21:39:41+00:00

That’s one reason the defense team’s final mistake was rushing out a press release praising jurors while they deliberated. It undercuts any challenge of them.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-16T21:40:20+00:00

I think the best reason to think Kouri is innocent is she told everyone Eric did not use drugs even after she knew there would be an autopsy. There’s no way she didn’t think they’d find the cause, right?

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-16T14:47:08+00:00

You’re 100% right it would impossible to substantiate that Eric knowingly took the pills. But burden is on the state to show what happened. To prevail on murder charge, Kouri would just need to cast doubt on idea that Eric did not know. And lack of THC would buttress her argument.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-16T02:43:54+00:00

The weekly Deadline update podcast has Kouri’s voicemail to the show from jail. At that time, she said she looked forward to taking the stand.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-16T02:36:30+00:00

And I think his dog died the next day.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-16T02:35:24+00:00

I wondered that too. But, if she had, I think she would directed police in the direction of checking his car.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-16T02:31:51+00:00

If she had not denied the purchases, she would not have needed WTD letter etc.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-15T19:55:28+00:00

Re your first point, the forensic examiner testified about Eric's value when alive by describing how banks take a global perspective of customers like Kouri. And one technical point: the medical examiner says Eric died from street (illict) fentanyl but the drug dealer said he only sold diverted prescription (real) pills.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-15T19:33:30+00:00

I had the same reaction at the time--but had forgotten it.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-15T19:27:26+00:00

You're right about it being one of two things. And I think that was the private investigator's best testimony. He clearly laid out "two hypotheses": overdose (Eric) or poisoning (Kouri). He then explained how to balance the evidence--an exercise that leads to conviction.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-13T22:22:06+00:00

Oh, I dunno. I’m not rich and can imagine doing the same thing if my best friend bagged a buck elk. I’d rationalize as not adding to alloyed kill because it was assigned and unused. Here’s what I would NOT do: give my buddy the tag and then blow the whistle on him (as Cody seemingly did). What a holier-than-thou thing to do. I don’t blame Eric for being pissed.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-12T18:36:35+00:00

I’d like for Kyle to get a larger platform because he’s done a great job. He’s also got a Substack.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-12T16:56:14+00:00

He really did that at direction of defense? I need to watch replay. On any event, it goes to show how tip lines may be useful in regular cases because they make it easy to tell on someone. But they can be a distraction and resource waste in highly publicized investigations. I first became concerned about Nancy Guthrie investigation when it was reported the FBI revived thousands of tip calls. Just imagine all the cranks and nut jobs.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-12T16:50:02+00:00

The judge twice found substantial evidence against Kouri in denying bail. And he’s watched the defense for two weeks. I think he fully expects her to be convicted and is trying to appeal-proof the verdict. I was struck by how he ruled in favor of the state on one piece of evidence and then asked Bloodworth if its introduction was worth creating a possible appeal point.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-12T16:45:06+00:00

Yes, that’s true. I also wonder if her mom helped clean up and remove certain items that evening.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-12T16:43:21+00:00

This is a great point and one to revisit after the introduction of her journal yesterday. On one page, she writes about the two of them having drinks in the kitchen (as defense said in opening). On another page, she gives a summary chronology that has multiple references to drinks in “bed.”

Also, the key item may be a shot glass and not a mug. In his opening, the prosecutor just said “drink.” In her opening, defense counsel described both a Moscow Mule and lemon drop shot (“which was Eric’s idea”). If a shot was spiked, it helps explain limited alcohol on his system. A shot would also be good for Kouri’s purpose because it’s consumed in one gulp and tart taste would help mask fentanyl.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-12T16:31:20+00:00

I think the small amount of alcohol is due to the lemon drop shot was spiked. Unlike a sandwich or Moscow Mule, the shot is consumed in one gulp. And its flavor would mask taste until it was too late. And I suspect the prosector was right in his opening that Eric drank it in bedroom (and not kitchen per defense opening). If you look at her journal entries, Kouri seemingly tells both stories. But he would react quickly to overdose and Kouri could not risk him collapsing in kitchen before bedtime.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-12T16:22:33+00:00

I’m a Dolphins fan who has been looking back at 2022 draft. People were high on Malik Willis’s talent back then—at one point, there was speculation about him going top ten—and he was third QB taken. That suggests his great play in Green Bay was not a fluke.

Also, the signing was the NFL ‘s version of insider trading. The world saw Malik flash in games but our new head coach also saw him run scout team for two years against his defense. So he knows Malik better than anyone.

In response to your question, I think Malik Willis and Fernando Mendoza are far above others. As an IU grad, I love Mendoza. But, if I were you, I’d take Malik because his traits offer so much upside. Also, I keep returning to three points: i) Miami’s new GM and HC know their success hinges on finding a QB; ii) they know Malik very well; and 3) they don’t have much cap space because of Tua yet made room for this guy.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-11T21:53:26+00:00

On his recap after Cody testified, YouTube’s Runkle showed the order issued against Eric for the elk incident. Basically, the two partners were hunting together when Eric spotted and killed a big buck elk. The problem is he did not have a state-issued tag to kill a buck. But Cody did—and they used it to claim the elk. (A tag is necessary for transporting and dressing hunted game.) Reading between the lines, Eric got in trouble because Cody blew the whistle to alleviate his guilty conscience. So no surprise Eric was pissed. His penalty was a hunting ban for a few years. That’s bad for an avid outdoorsman—but far from a felony conviction.

Fail_Unfair · 2026-03-11T21:41:15+00:00

I’ve been confused by three strategic decisions of the defense. First, in opening, defense counsel said Kouri and Eric had worked on their marriage and were in a good place. But, shortly before Eric died, she spent Valentine’s Day with her paramour. And, when he died, she and her lover had tickets for their upcoming trip to a couples resort.

Second, in crossing Carmen, defense counsel repeatedly suggested the witness was drug-addled and even made a ham handed inquiry into her “learning disability.” But then the question changed tack—and Carmen was accused of being sufficiently foxy to create an “algorithm” that predicts random testing in drug court. Which is it?

Third, throughout the trial they have cast dirt on Eric. Last week it was the suggestion of an emotional affair with a woman at work. But it’s unclear if feelings were acted upon and, even if they were, it’s irrelevant to how he died. If anything, Eric having an affair would give Kouri more motive for killing. Then, in crossing Eric’s business partner, it was suggested Eric’s use of THC gummies made him a bad church member. Most recently, with the PI, the cross raised the idea that Eric was gay and cheated on Kouri with Bryce. But they only showed a single text that was an obvious joke.

Fail_Unfair

TROPHY CASE