New August preliminary hearing date to determine whether Kouri Richins will stand trial for murder

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three, who wrote a children's book about coping with grief after her husband's death and was later accused of fatally poisoning him, looks on during a hearing Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Park City, Utah. Photo: AP Photo // Rick Bowmer, Pool

The Kamas mother of three has been held without bail in the Summit County Jail since her arrest in May 2023

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — Summit County judge Richard Mrazik set a new late August preliminary hearing date for Kouri Richins at a scheduling conference on Friday, June 21.

This hearing will determine whether Kouri will stand trial for drug charges, or for murder charges in the March 2022 overdose death of her husband, Eric Richins.

Kouri currently faces 11 charges, including aggravated murder, attempted criminal homicide, arranging distribution of a controlled substance and mortgage fraud. Her preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 26-28.

Kouri’s initial preliminary hearing was set for June 18-20, but was struck after Ray Quinney & Nebeker P.C., the law firm that had represented her since her arrest, withdrew its representation in her criminal trial, citing an “irreconcilable and nonwaivable situation.”

Following Ray Quinney & Nebeker’s exit, Kouri was found indigent by the court. Mrazik later appointed Salt Lake City-based law firm Lewis and Nester to represent Kouri as public defenders.