Defense in Kouri Richins case alleges sister-in-law paid witnesses as prosecutors update charges

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

PARK CITY, Utah — Attorneys for Kouri Richins are demanding full financial transparency from her late husband’s estate, alleging that her sister-in-law — who oversees the trust — may have paid witnesses involved in the high-profile murder case. The claim comes as prosecutors file amended charging documents following a judge’s order to restructure parts of the case.

Richins, a Kamas mother of three, was arrested in May 2023 and charged with aggravated murder in connection with the death of her husband, Eric Richins, who prosecutors say died from a fentanyl overdose in March 2022. Investigators allege she slipped a lethal dose into a Moscow mule and killed him to gain access to his life insurance and trust funds.

In a recent filing, Richins’ defense accused Eric’s sister, Katie Richins-Benson, who controls the trust, of withholding key financial records that were subpoenaed by the defense. Attorneys say they need access to all trust transactions — including any checks or payments to individuals “connected in any way” to the investigation or prosecution.

Katie’s attorney acknowledged that two people — Brooke Karrington and Matthew Throckmorton — had been paid, but said both were expert witnesses and that their communications were protected by privilege.

The motion follows a series of legal developments in a case that has drawn widespread attention. In November 2023, 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik ordered prosecutors to separate several of Richins’ alleged financial crimes from the murder case. The severed charges — including mortgage fraud and forgery — were later refiled in a separate 26-count case in June.

Still, prosecutors maintain that the financial allegations demonstrate a motive of monetary gain behind Eric Richins’ death. The amended homicide case, filed Oct. 6, continues to include two counts of insurance fraud and one count of forgery alongside the murder charges.

Richins, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, remains held without bail in the Summit County Jail. Her defense team recently renewed their request for bail, citing new evidence, but a judge has yet to issue a ruling.

If convicted, Richins faces up to life in prison when she stands trial in February 2026 on charges of aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder.