Lead detective expected to testify as prosecution nears end of case in Kouri Richins trial

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 — Prosecutors in the murder trial of Kouri Richins are expected to call their final witness this week as the state moves toward wrapping up its case against the Kamas woman accused of poisoning her husband.

The trial, unfolding in 3rd District Court before Judge Richard Mrazik, entered its third week Monday with testimony from investigators and people close to Richins’ late husband, Eric Richins.

Richins, 35, is charged with aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder — both first-degree felonies — in connection with Eric Richins’ death in 2022. Prosecutors allege she poisoned him with a lethal dose of fentanyl. She is also accused of drugging him earlier that year on Valentine’s Day.

The defendant also faces two counts of insurance fraud and one count of forgery. Separate financial charges filed in another case are not part of the current trial.

Summit County Attorney Brad Bloodworth told the court the state plans to call just one more witness during its main presentation of evidence — lead investigator Jeff O’Driscoll — who is expected to testify Tuesday about aspects of the investigation and phone calls Richins made from jail to family members.

Testimony from friend and investigators

Monday’s proceedings featured testimony from Eric Richins’ friend and business partner, Cody Wright, who told jurors he had never seen Eric use illicit drugs.

Wright acknowledged hearing that Eric had taken prescription pills in the past but said he never witnessed him using illegal substances.

Defense attorneys attempted to challenge Wright’s credibility, arguing he had previously given inconsistent statements. However, Judge Mrazik ruled the defense had not established sufficient grounds to impeach the witness.

Jurors also heard from Detective Jayme Woody, who worked on the early stages of the investigation before the case was handed off to O’Driscoll.

Woody testified that Eric Richins’ sister told investigators Eric had expressed concerns before his death that his wife was trying to kill him.

Private investigator describes independent search

The final witness Monday was private investigator Todd Gabler, who was hired by Eric Richins’ family after the initial law enforcement investigation.

Gabler told the court he spent more than 930 hours examining the case. After the home shared by the couple was released by investigators in May 2023 — more than a year after Eric Richins’ death — he conducted a search of the property with the permission of Eric’s family.

Gabler said he worked alongside one of Kouri Richins’ former attorneys to catalog items in the home.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Kathryn Nester noted the family had paid Gabler roughly $100,000 for his investigative work.

Gabler said his investigation remained within legal boundaries and emphasized that law enforcement officers — not him — collected any evidence deemed relevant to the case.

Prosecution nearing its conclusion

With prosecutors expected to call O’Driscoll as their final witness, the state appears close to resting its case in the high-profile trial, which is scheduled to last up to five weeks.

Once the prosecution rests, Richins’ defense team will have the opportunity to present its own witnesses, though defendants are not required to call any witnesses or present evidence.

Richins has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. in Park City.