Utah Supreme Court weighs jury selection rules for Kouri Richins murder trial

PARK CITY, Utah – The Utah Supreme Court convened on Feb. 11, 2025, to hear oral arguments regarding jury selection in the high-profile murder trial of Kamas mother of three, Kouri Richins.

The state’s high court is considering whether jury selection should be conducted in person or online and if jurors can be drawn from multiple counties for Richins’ aggravated murder trial. She is accused of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, with a lethal dose of fentanyl in 2022.

There is also a debate about expanding the jury pool. Attorneys for both sides argue Summit County alone may not have enough impartial jurors due to widespread media attention. The Utah Constitution may allow jurors from both Summit and Salt Lake counties, but state law specifically states jurors must come from “the county” where the trial is held.

The defense and prosecutors argue that in-person selection is necessary due to the extraordinary media exposure, while state attorneys say the case is not extraordinary enough to override a standing order to conduct jury selection virtually.

Supreme Court Justice Paige Petersen acknowledged the constitutional possibility of expanding the juror pool but questioned if state statutes prohibit it, while Justice Diana Hagen raised concerns about whether exposing jurors to extreme media attention during in-person selection would help determine impartiality or create privacy risks.

The Utah Supreme Court is expected to rule by Feb. 21, ahead of jury questionnaire distribution on Feb. 25 to 1,500 potential jurors. The final jury, consisting of eight jurors plus alternates, will be selected by mid-April, with the trial set to begin on April 28.

Other key takeaways from recent Case Developments

• Defense Motion to Reopen Witness Testimony: Attorneys for Kouri Richins requested the court reopen questioning of witnesses, arguing there were problems with a state witness’s testimony regarding cellphone and electronic data. Summit County Chief Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth called the motion a “cheap litigation trick,” arguing it aims to publicly discredit a lead detective without factual evidence.
• Disputed Detective Testimony: The defense claims Detective Jeff O’Driscoll testified untruthfully, particularly about whether he knew Richins had legal representation when he interviewed her. Prosecutors acknowledge a discrepancy between O’Driscoll’s recollection and another officer’s but insist no wrongdoing was found in an independent investigation.
• Legal Dispute Over Witness Credibility: The defense cited Giglio v. United States, a case requiring prosecutors to disclose information affecting witness credibility, but prosecutors dismissed the claim as “inaccurate and irresponsible.”
• Next Steps in the Case: The judge has not yet scheduled a hearing on the motion, but the next scheduled court date is Feb. 21, when attorneys will review jury questionnaires for Richins’ upcoming April murder trial.
• Charges Against Richins: She is accused of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, with a lethal dose of fentanyl in 2022 and attempting to poison him weeks earlier. She faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, and fraud, with some financial crimes set to be tried separately.