A Utah mom is charged in her husband’s death. Did she poison him with a cocktail?

On March 4, 2022, Kouri Richins says she discovered her husband, Eric Richins, unresponsive of their mattress. First responders tried to save lots of him, nevertheless it was too late for the daddy of three. Weeks later, police mentioned Richins’ dying was brought on by an overdose of fentanyl. The grieving widow from Utah was arrested and charged with homicide shortly after she wrote a youngsters’s ebook to assist their children deal with grief.

In her first primetime interview, Kouri Richins’ mom, Lisa Darden, tells “48 Hours” contributor and “The Speak” co-host Natalie Morales that hours earlier than Eric Richins was discovered unresponsive, the couple was celebrating a brand new house-flipping deal Kouri was engaged on. Kouri Richins advised investigators she had made her husband a Moscow mule that evening. However one thing did not sit proper when the health worker dominated Eric Richins died from a deadly dose of fentanyl,in accordance with his household’s spokesman, Greg Skordas.

“He wasn’t an opioid consumer … This does not scent proper,” says Skordas.

Kouri Richins was later arrested and charged with homicide. Prosecutors allege she gave Eric Richins a deadly dose of fentanyl on the evening of his dying. Eric’s household suspects she positioned the fentanyl in that Moscow mule.

“He advised his household, ‘If I die, you want to try her as a result of I feel she’s attempting to kill me,'”  Skordas tells Morales.

Kouri Richins maintains she’s harmless. Her lawyer, Skye Lazaro, says prosecutors, “should show that she obtained medicine and gave them to her husband … And except they will join these dots, they’re gonna have a tough time proving homicide on this case.”

A UTAH COUPLE’S CELEBRATION ENDS IN TRAGEDY

Within the early morning hours of March 4, 2022, Lisa Darden was trying to console her daughter, 31-year-old Kouri Richins.

Lisa Darden: She was unfold out on the ground … simply sobbing.

Kouri had simply realized from emergency personnel that her husband Eric was useless.

Lisa Darden: She was tore up.

Her brothers Ronney and DJ have been additionally there.

Ronney Darden: She is a whole wreck.

DJ: I simply began crying.

In accordance with Lisa, that evening Kouri had poured Eric a drink to rejoice a brand new alternative at her actual property enterprise — the acquisition of a mansion.

Lisa Darden: She advised me she made him a Moscow mule.

That is a drink made with vodka and ginger beer.

Lisa Darden: She mentioned they went to mattress about 9, 9:15, she went and laid with Ash. … Ashton, the 9-year-old has all the time had main nightmares. … And when she went again to get in her mattress, he was chilly. … she went to push on him, and he did not reply.

It was after 3 a.m., and Lisa says Kouri instantly known as 911 and on the dispatcher’s directions, carried out CPR. When first responders arrived they began engaged on Eric – nevertheless it was too late.

Ronney Darden: It is simply unbelievable. You are — you are in shock that one thing like that, you recognize, might occur.

It was these first responders who initially suspected Eric had died of an aneurism. The daddy of three younger sons was simply 39.

Natalie Morales: How have been the boys? Did the boys know what was taking place?

Lisa Darden: They knew one thing was taking place and … they might see the ambulances and cops coming in, very distraught.

Ronney Darden: All of them simply sat there … on the sofa and simply cried collectively.

The unhappy scene was a far cry from the comfortable household they as soon as have been.

Kouri and Eric met in 2009 at an area Residence Depot. Again then Kouri was a cashier. Eric labored in development and was a frequent buyer.

Ronney Darden: I heard that he wished her quantity for a very long time, is type of afraid to go get it. So, he needed to — have a good friend run in and go get it from her.

Eric requested her out, they usually hit it off.

Natalie Morales: When Kouri mentioned I am relationship this man, what did you assume?

DJ: Uh, Kouri was scared of me assembly him.

Natalie Morales: Oh, actually?

DJ: Yeah.

Natalie Morales: Why?

DJ: As a result of I am the large brother and —

Natalie Morales: Robust.

DJ: Yeah. Yeah.

However DJ and Ronney say Eric match proper in.

Ronney Darden: I assumed he was an important man.

In 2013, Kouri and Eric received married and had the boys – first Carter, then Ashton, and eventually, Weston. Lisa says fatherhood got here simply to Eric.

Lisa Darden: (He) taught these boys a lot … They idolized their father, and he idolized the boys as effectively.

Kouri’s household received to know the Richins, together with Eric’s two sisters Katie and Amy.

Ronney Darden: They’d come up, uh, for birthdays right here and there. … We’re all very pleasant.

Ultimately Eric began a stone masonry enterprise and Kouri began her personal actual property firm – shopping for homes, fixing them up, and promoting them for revenue. Greg Corridor was her advertising director and good good friend.

Greg Corridor: Kouri had one thing that lots of people do not. Plenty of occasions you discover a person that’s clever, however no widespread sense or widespread sense and no intelligence. She had each. … She was an excellent younger woman.

Natalie Morales: What number of homes would she have on common that she was engaged on or attempting to flip

Lisa Darden: At one time?

Natalie Morales: Yeah.

Lisa Darden: I’d say on common three.

Natalie Morales: So it was type of a relentless rotation —

Lisa Darden: Sure.

Natalie Morales: — of shopping for a house, fixing it up, promoting it?

Lisa Darden: Sure.

And Eric’s enterprise continued to flourish.

Lisa Darden: They each lived very effectively, they usually each purchased and spent what they wished.

Of their spare time, Eric cherished to hunt, and collectively they traveled the world.

Natalie Morales: It seems like on the floor, Eric and Kouri appear to have all of it. Would you say that was so Lisa?

Lisa Darden: I’d say that, sure.

Greg Skordas: I do not know that I may even start to overstate how shut this household was … this was an enormous loss

Greg Skordas is the spokesman for Eric’s household.

Greg Skordas: He was this stunning son and — and brother … And to have that taken away from you, I — I can not think about a lot worse than that.

Not lengthy after Eric’s funeral, an post-mortem revealed the reason for his dying. It wasn’t an aneurism — it was a deadly dose of fentanyl.

Greg Skordas: Fentanyl is many, many occasions stronger than oxys, and the opposite ache drugs that we sometimes use. It is a very harmful drug.

However how did fentanyl get into Eric’s system? Kouri’s household believes his leisure drug use may very well be accountable. Almost day by day, they are saying, Eric would take a gummy with THC – the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Ronney Darden: It was all the time simply — simply to loosen up on the finish of the day.

And in accordance with Ronney, Eric didn’t all the time get the gummies from respected sources.

Ronney Darden: Nearly each journey that I had been on with him, he’d purchase simply from somebody off the road.

Lisa says Eric additionally typically took ache tablets.

Lisa Darden: Hey, do you’ve gotten any ache tablets? Hey, are you able to name and get — or hook me up?

Greg Skordas: He actually wasn’t an opioid or an unlawful drug consumer.

Kouri’s household thinks Eric had taken one thing he did not know was laced with fentanyl, and that his dying was a tragic accident. Eric’s household strongly disputes this declare.

Greg Skordas: He did not die of a self-inflicted drug overdose.

Eric’s household puzzled if Kouri might have been concerned.

Greg Skordas: They mentioned … This does not scent proper. … No query the household thought that proper from the start.

KOURI RICHINS CHARGED IN HER HUSBAND’S DEATH

Within the months following her husband’s tragic passing, Kouri Richins struggled to search out her footing on her personal and to navigate life as a single mother.

Ronney Darden: Kouri was nonetheless fully distraught. … even now, she’s by no means had time to … grieve. … she’s doing her greatest to maneuver on, she did not know of a means of doing that.

Kouri’s brother Ronney says it was additionally exhausting for the {couples}’ three younger sons.

Ronney Darden: The boys, it is so exhausting for them they lashed out a bit of bit as a result of they could not fairly perceive what was occurring. … they wanted some assist and Kouri wanted some assist.

Ultimately Kouri discovered a technique to flip her grief into motion.

In March 2023, one 12 months after Eric’s dying, Kouri got here up with the concept to write down that youngsters’s ebook about dealing with loss, ” Are You With Me?” She promoted it on an area TV present, “Good Issues Utah.”

KOURI RICHINS | “Good Issues Utah”: I simply wished some story to learn to my children at evening … And so, you recognize, I used to be like, let’s simply write one.

The self-published ebook follows the story of a kid who misplaced his father however is reminded his presence nonetheless exists throughout.

Within the ebook, Eric is portrayed as an angel who’s all the time shut by. “Sure, I’m with you on Christmas,” Kouri writes, “You may’t see my smile nevertheless it’s there. I am right here, and we’re collectively.”

KOURI RICHINS | “Good Issues Utah”: Like dad remains to be right here, it is simply otherwise.

Kouri’s mom, Lisa, says writing the ebook was therapeutic.

Lisa Darden: I feel the ebook was an important factor.

Natalie Morales: It helped them.

Lisa Darden: It helped all of them.

Her household says it lastly appeared as if Kouri and the boys would be capable of transfer ahead.

Ronney Darden: It appeared to make … the boys actually comfortable.

Whereas the household was working to get again on monitor, police had been investigating Eric’s dying. And simply weeks after Kouri’s look on TV to advertise her ebook —

KUTV NEWS REPORT: New at 10. This has been a talker all day at the moment … a Summit County lady who wrote a youngsters’s ebook about dealing with grief following her husband’s dying … now accused of being the one that truly killed him.

On Could 8, 2023, Kouri, the grieving spouse, was now the prime suspect in her husband’s dying.

Natalie Morales: You have to have been in a panic

Lisa Darden: I used to be shocked. … She will’t be arrested.

Kouri was charged with aggravated homicide and brought into custody. Courtroom paperwork allege she “dedicated murder” by the “administration of a poison.”

Greg Skordas, the spokesman for Eric’s household, suspects Kouri put a deadly dose of fentanyl within the drink she made Eric that evening: the Moscow mule.

Greg Skordas: The dosage that he was provided that evening was of such a excessive degree that no particular person might have survived it.

Skye Lazaro is her lawyer.

Natalie Morales: Did police ever check the glass that she gave Eric this cocktail in?

Skye Lazaro: They seized a lot of gadgets from the house, uh, and there was no fentanyl that was discovered on any glassware.

Kouri’s household says they struggled to make sense of the costs. Kouri denies any involvement in her husband’s dying.

Lisa Darden: For anyone who is aware of Kouri simply is aware of … She couldn’t have finished this. … She’d by no means do that.

Lisa says her daughter and son-in-law had an important relationship.

Lisa Darden: No person’s excellent, however they’re fairly shut.

And like many {couples} which have disagreements, they have been in a position to overcome their variations.

Lisa Darden: He did not need Kouri to work. He wished her to be a stay-at-home mother and he or she’s very impartial and that wasn’t going to occur.

One other subject, says Kouri’s brother Ronney, was the period of time Eric spent away on looking journeys — typically 4 or 5 months a 12 months.

Ronney Darden: It simply type of irked her. … as a result of that … his largest ardour in life is looking, and he or she may need him house a bit of bit extra. And so, you recognize, they may get in a struggle about that.

After which, in accordance with Kouri’s mom Lisa, there was alleged infidelity on Eric’s half. She says she heard about it first from Kouri, after which from Eric.

Lisa Darden: It was a textual content about belief, how I trusted him as a son-in-law, as a father, as a husband. And the way might he do that?

Kouri’s household says the couple went to counseling, decided to work by means of their points. Skordas, who denies Eric ever cheated on Kouri, says Eric had a unique motive for desirous to make his marriage work.

Greg Skordas: He was going to do no matter he might to make it work as a result of he — he lived for these boys. He would have finished something for these boys. … let’s – let’s go to counseling. Let’s attempt to hold the household collectively.

Skordas says at one level Eric had thought of divorce, however finally determined in opposition to it. He says to guard the boys in case the connection did not work out, Eric put his property right into a secret belief — with out telling Kouri — and named his sister Katie in cost. However within the months main as much as Eric’s dying, Ronney says the couple appeared higher than ever.

Natalie Morales: How have been they doing as a pair, as a household?

Ronney Darden: Yeah, improbable. They have been, um, most likely probably the greatest spots I’ve ever, seen them in in fairly a while. … everyone seems to be having enjoyable, laughing, joking. You understand, it is — it appeared actually nice to me.

So why would Kouri need Eric useless? Courtroom paperwork allege a life insurance coverage payout might need been a motive. Skordas says Eric’s household agrees.

Greg Skordas: That is cold-hearted greed.

On the time of Eric’s dying there have been “at the least six life insurance coverage insurance policies” on him, totaling almost $3 million. Courtroom paperwork allege that in January 2022, two months earlier than Eric died, Kouri “solid Eric signature” to get one more coverage, price an extra $100,000. Kouri can be accused in courtroom paperwork of stealing from Eric’s private accounts and “misappropriating monies distributed from Eric Richins’ enterprise” relationship again years.

In accordance with Skordas, Kouri did not simply need the cash, she desperately wanted it. Courtroom paperwork allege her home flipping enterprise was “drowning in almost two million {dollars} of debt.”

Greg Skordas: She was in means over her head. … She wanted some cash in a rush. … a big amount of cash.

Skordas says a premarital settlement stipulated Kouri had given up declare to Eric’s enterprise belongings “besides that if Husband ought to die previous to Spouse whereas the 2 are lawfully married.” 

Greg Skordas: He was price rather more to her useless than divorced. … She felt … that there was simple cash and quick cash to be made by not having her husband round anymore.

Kouri’s lawyer Skye Lazaro strongly disputes any allegations her shopper solid Eric’s signature, mishandled funds or stole from Eric. As for the declare Kouri was in debt and wanted the cash, she says that is merely not true.

Skye Lazaro: She was within the enterprise of flipping homes … that is what they did.

Lazaro says taking up debt from traces of credit score was a part of how the enterprise of flipping homes labored, and the cash can be paid again when a house offered.

Skye Lazaro: It is not as if she had all these typical loans that she owed folks cash on it. … positive, it seems like a big quantity. However … We’re speaking about enterprise transactions with individuals who she … did enterprise with.

Lisa Darden: Eric and Kouri sat down each month and did the payments collectively. Always, Eric knew what was stepping into and what was popping out.

Lisa says Eric not solely knew concerning the funds – however he was additionally very supportive of Kouri’s new enterprise alternatives – like the acquisition of the mansion they have been celebrating the evening he died.

Lisa Darden: Eric saying, “Let’s have a shot. Come on, let’s rejoice Kouri.”

It was that evening, Skordas says, Eric’s household believes Kouri gave him the Moscow mule laced with fentanyl. And, he says, Eric’s household believes it wasn’t the primary time Kouri had tried to poison her husband.

Greg Skordas: The time he died wasn’t the primary time we believed that she tried to kill him.

ERIC RICHINS’ FAMILY CLAIMS KOURI TRIED TO POISON ERIC BEFORE

Simply outdoors Salt Lake Metropolis, within the shadow of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains — house to famed ski resorts together with Park Metropolis — is the property that Kouri Richins was planning on flipping. The deal she and Eric have been celebrating the evening he died, says her lawyer, Skye Lazaro.

Skye Lazaro: It is a decently good measurement house.

Lazaro confirmed “48 Hours” the almost 10-acre property.

Natalie Morales: The place are we? Give us a way of why that is important actual property.

Skye Lazaro: So that is the Heber Valley. Uh, proper over the hill is Park Metropolis … all the main ski areas. Uh, after which to the fitting is Deer Creek reservoir. … So this actually sits … between main leisure areas.

Natalie Morales: It seems ginormous.

Skye Lazaro: It is large.

The 20,000-square-foot mansion and its 4,000-square-foot guesthouse have been initially inbuilt 2017 however by no means completed. The mission was deserted for 2 years till Kouri found it.

Skye Lazaro: I feel this … was type of her dream when she received into this concept of flipping homes was to have the ability to do properties like this.

Lazaro says Kouri used financing from a bunch of traders to make a proposal on the home for $3.9 million.

Skye Lazaro: The plan was to develop this, flip it right into a leisure hotspot, given that is most likely one of the stunning locations on this planet and … hopefully promote it at a revenue.

Natalie Morales: How a lot did she assume she might make off of this home?

Lisa Darden: Her and Eric sat down with an accountant one time, and he mentioned, if you will get it finished and keep underneath finances, you may stroll away with $12 million.

Natalie Morales: Wow. … That is a — that is an enormous flip.

Lisa Darden: Sure.

Natalie Morales: From $3.9 to $12 million.

Lisa Darden: Sure.

Greg Corridor labored with Kouri. He says it was a stable funding.

Greg Corridor: There was a whole lot of pleasure. I bear in mind how excited she was. … it might’ve been an actual simple flip. They would not have needed to — to take a seat on that for lengthy.

Natalie Morales: So far as you recognize, Eric was on board with this plan?

Lisa Darden: Oh, 100%.

However that is not what Eric’s household remembers, says their spokesman Greg Skordas.

Greg Skordas: I do not assume he was ever in favor of that … He was on board with supporting his spouse. That does not imply he agreed with it.

Actually, the home is talked about in a authorized submitting, containing notes from an investigator who interviewed Eric’s household after his dying. They mentioned “Eric and his spouse have been arguing” about shopping for the property.

And that wasn’t all Eric’s household advised investigators. In accordance with that very same submitting, they made quite a few allegations in opposition to Kouri, together with that they suspected “his spouse had one thing to do along with his dying. They suggested he warned them that if something occurred to him… she was accountable.”

Additionally they advised investigators they believed Kouri had tried to poison Eric earlier than, on two separate events.

In accordance with the submitting, Eric’s household mentioned the primary tried poisoning was in 2019 when Eric and Kouri and 6 buddies have been on trip in Greece. They mentioned Eric turned “violently ailing” after Kouri “gave him a drink.” Ronney says he heard it was all a misunderstanding. 

Ronney Darden: Eric was on treatment and … that treatment, you are not allowed to drink on … he requested the waitress, uh, to carry a, a virgin drink, a drink with out alcohol. … She did not do it and made him very, very sick. … Kouri known as his physician. Um, discovered what to do and … later that evening he was again and — and effective. … everybody that was there’ll let you know the very same factor.

In accordance with that very same submitting, the second time Eric’s household mentioned Kouri tried to poison Eric was the month earlier than Eric died, on Valentine’s Day 2022. They mentioned, “his spouse introduced him a sandwich, which after one chunk Eric broke into hives and could not breathe.” Kouri’s household denies she ever tried to poison him.

Ronney Darden: They ordered a sandwich, and the sandwich was unhealthy.

Skye Lazaro: He went and took a nap after which went and coached one among his kid’s video games.

Skye Lazaro: Except for an assertion … by the household, uh, there would not appear to be anything on the market that helps that.

Eric’s household additionally known as into query Kouri’s habits following her husband’s dying.

In accordance with courtroom paperwork, Eric’s household advised investigators two days after Eric died, Kouri punched Eric’s sister Amy “within the neck and face” when Amy tried to cease her from opening a protected they mentioned contained “between $125,000 and $165,000 money.”

Ronney Darden: There was an argument that broke out. … and … Eric’s sister mentioned that she owns the home. … every little thing is put right into a belief, and he or she owns the home.

Keep in mind, Eric had created that belief — and stored it secret from Kouri — once they have been going by means of these marital issues. Till Eric’s dying, Kouri knew nothing concerning the belief, in accordance with courtroom paperwork.

Ronney Darden: If Eric had any type of paperwork, he’d have them within the protected … So, she went in to go, see what was in there. … Amy got here after Kouri, after which, you recognize, Kouri defended herself.

DJ: The 2 of them began pushing and … I used to be standing in the midst of them. … All they did was push. Each of them have been attempting to swing excessive of me. … So the narrative that is been pushed that it was — poor Amy received assaulted was nonsense.

The brothers say Amy stormed off and known as the police. A month later Kouri was charged with assault and later pleaded no contest.

Skye Lazaro: Her husband’s simply handed away, she’s extremely emotional. All people is —

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm.

Skye Lazaro: — extremely emotional. … issues received a bit of heated between them.

Two households. Two very totally different tales about what they consider occurred to Eric. However with accusations flying backwards and forwards, what did the proof present?

Skye Lazaro: The state has to show … that she did this, that she received the medicine and that she by some means gave them to him.

Greg Skordas: She had apparently … contacted a drug seller, a recognized drug seller in that space, and bought fentanyl and had, uh — finished it on a couple of event.

KOURI RICHINS IN COURT: BAIL HEARING BRINGS FIRST LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE

In June 2023, Kouri Richins appeared in courtroom earlier than Decide Richard Mrazik for a bond listening to.

JUDGE RICHARD MRAZIK: The problem earlier than the courtroom is whether or not defendant Kouri Richins ought to proceed to be held with out bail throughout the pre-trial interval.

It was the primary time since Richins had been charged in her husband’s dying that the general public received to see her. And for the whole four-hour listening to, she sat in handcuffs subsequent to her lawyer, Skye Lazaro. 

Skye Lazaro: I can’t think about how troublesome it was for Kouri to take a seat there and take heed to every little thing that was talked about at that listening to.  

To persuade the decide why Richins shouldn’t be launched, prosecutors Patricia Cassell, Brad Bloodworth, and Joseph Hill introduced proof and known as witnesses to make their case Richins had poisoned her husband. It had all the weather of a mini trial.

Skye Lazaro: To ensure that the decide to make a willpower to detain somebody at a bail listening to, the state has to show substantial proof.

Prosecutor Joseph Hill known as to the stand cellphone skilled Chris Kotodrimos.

He requested him about Google searches he says Richins made on her telephone.

JOSEPH HILL (in courtroom): Have been you in a position to observe, uh, Web searches on that telephone?

CHRIS KOTODRIMOS: Sure.

These searches – which have been detailed in courtroom paperwork – included:

Can deleted textual content messages be retrieved from an iPhone?Can FBI discover deleted messages?What is a deadly dose of fentanyl?

Skye Lazaro: I do not know that these searches imply as a lot whenever you have a look at the timing of once they’re finished.

Lazaro says there’s an harmless clarification: these searches have been performed after Eric’s dying.

Skye Lazaro: I feel it is extra to reply questions regarding what she was being accused of.

The state additionally known as to the stand the lead the investigator on the case Detective Jeff O’Driscoll. 

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): I used to be assigned to be the lead — the lead detective on this case in April of this 12 months.

Prosecutor Bloodworth questioned Detective O’Driscoll about the place Richins might have gotten fentanyl. He particularly requested about an interview the detective performed with Carmen Lauber, who mentioned she labored for Richins. She’s known as C.L. 

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): C.L. is an affiliate of the defendant. Uh, she cleaned homes for the defendant’s enterprise, in addition to her private house at occasions.

Detective O’Driscoll mentioned C.L had a prison historical past with medicine. On the time of their interview she was on probation for a number of drug distribution prices, in accordance with courtroom information. She has not been charged in reference to Eric’s dying.

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): in our interview C.L. advised us that in early 2022, the defendant reached out to her both by telephone name or textual content message requesting that she procure fentanyl for what the defendant reported was a investor who had a again harm.

Detective O’Driscoll testified that C.L. advised him she bought 15-30 fentanyl tablets after which offered them to Richins.

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): C.L. advised us that after buying the tablets she returned house … she mentioned that both later that evening or the subsequent day, the defendant met her … and did a hand-to-hand change of tablets for money.

That transaction, says Detective O’Driscoll, occurred on Feb. 11, 2022 – three days earlier than Valentine’s Day – when, in accordance with courtroom paperwork, Eric’s household mentioned Richins had tried and didn’t poison Eric with that sandwich. However there was extra.

BRAD BLOODWORTH: (in courtroom) We’re gonna now shift … to a second drug purchase

Detective O’Driscoll mentioned C.L. advised him Richins contacted her once more roughly every week later.

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): The defendant reached out to her once more by textual content or, or name and mentioned that she wished some extra fentanyl that was stronger than the earlier batch.

This time, Detective O’Driscoll mentioned, C.L. advised him Richins paid by test.

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): The defendant got here to the door and wrote her a test from her enterprise, from the defendant’s enterprise for $1,300 for the acquisition of the fentanyl.

Only a week later, Eric was useless.

Skye Lazaro: We dispute all of these allegations.

In her cross-examination, Lazaro requested Detective O’Driscoll if there might have been another excuse for that $1,300 test.

SKYE LAZARO (in courtroom): It might very effectively be that Kouri was paying her for cleansing homes, right?

DET. O’DRISCOLL: I do not wanna speculate, however —

SKYE LAZARO: It may very well be.

DET. O’DRISCOLL: It is potential.

SKYE LAZARO: Regardless of what C.L. mentioned? Appropriate? OK.

Lazaro says as a result of Carmen Lauber is a convicted felon she’s not credible.

Skye Lazaro: She … was on probation on the time. I feel anytime you’ve gotten an informant-type state of affairs … it could actually name into query the veracity of their statements or the motive for what they’re saying.

In her cross-examination of Detective O’Driscoll, Lazaro tried to indicate how C.L. might need felt strain to inform investigators what they wished to listen to.

SKYE LAZARO (in courtroom): You start the interview by explaining to C.L. primarily how dire of a state of affairs she’s in, right?

DET. O’DRISCOLL: I haven’t got the interview memorized, however I do know we talked about that. Sure.

SKYE LAZARO: OK. Effectively, you advised her that she was on probation to drug courtroom for 4 first-degree felonies, right?

DET. O’DRISCOLL: Appropriate.

SKYE LAZARO: You primarily inform her that she has the potential of doing a substantial quantity of state and federal jail time, probably.

DET. O’DRISCOLL: Sure. It is a widespread tactic in regulation enforcement to have the ability to leverage prices for info.

Lazaro additionally requested the detective what proof there was to again up C.L.’s claims that she had offered fentanyl to Richins. 

SKYE LAZARO (in courtroom): As a result of C.L.’s working for the defendant there’s communication, right?

DET. O’DRISCOLL: Appropriate.

However Detective O’Driscoll mentioned he noticed no textual content messages the place Richins allegedly asks C.L. for medicine.

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): We did not discover any.

SKYE LAZARO: Was anybody along with her that might corroborate that she noticed C.L. hand Kouri medicine?

DET. O’DRISCOLL: Not that I do know of.

“48 Hours” tried to contact C.L. for remark; we acquired no response.

Skye Lazaro: They should show that she obtained medicine and gave them to her husband.

Skye Lazaro: And except they will join these dots, they’re gonna have a tough time proving homicide on this case.

BOMBSHELL LETTER FOUND IN KOURI RICHINS’ CELL

As Kouri Richins’ bond listening to got here to a detailed, her lawyer Skye Lazaro was hopeful her shopper can be granted bail.

Skye Lazaro: It is a case during which there would not seem like any smoking gun. These circumstances are usually extra favorable to the protection.

The prosecution closed its case to disclaim Richins bail with a sufferer influence assertion from Eric’s sister, Amy.

AMY RICHINS (in courtroom): I am right here at the moment to symbolize my brother, Eric Eugene Richins. … Eric is gone and I’m brokenhearted. … None of our lives will ever be the identical. Eric died underneath horrendous circumstances. I’m tormented on the considered what he endured … Please don’t permit Kouri to harm Eric’s reminiscence, our household, buddies, and neighborhood anymore. We have now been by means of sufficient.

Decide Richard Mrazik spent little or no time making his determination: Richins would stay in custody.

JUDGE RICHARD MRAZIK: The circumstances of this case weigh soundly in opposition to granting pre-trial launch of any form.

Richins’ household was dissatisfied. They are saying her time in jail whereas ready for her trial has taken its toll.

Lisa Darden: I hear her on the telephone. I hear her sobbing.

In September 2023, Richins’ household says, she had a medical emergency in custody whereas taking prescription treatment and wanted to be rushed to the hospital.

Natalie Morales: What did she say occurred to her?

Lisa Darden: That they gave her the mistaken medication… and it precipitated a seizure.

Richins made a full restoration. However whereas she was away, jail officers say they discovered a handwritten letter in her cell that was by no means despatched. The doc, later filed within the courtroom file, has turn out to be recognized for the phrases scrawled on the high of the web page: “Stroll the Canine.” Prosecutors say it is from Richins to her mom.

Lisa Darden: I handle her 16-year-old canine.

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm.

Lisa Darden: And her factor is, ensure you stroll Har. … She’s so fearful about this canine.

In November 2023, prosecutors filed this movement asking the courtroom for a no contact order to disclaim Richins entry to her mom and brother. Within the movement, they are saying the letter “is proof of witness tampering.” They are saying Richins provides her mom directions on what her brother, Ronney, ought to say in courtroom.

 “The letter instructs Lisa Darden to induce the Defendant’s brother, Ronald Darden … to testify falsely,” the movement states.

Greg Skordas: To me, this letter is an try to get a witness to testify to one thing that is not true by spoon feeding… the witness the testimony that he is supposed to present.

Within the letter, Richins writes that her protection might want to set up that Eric purchased medicine whereas touring overseas:

“We’d like some type of connection … Here’s what I am considering however you must discuss to Ronney. He would most likely should testify to this.”

Natalie Morales: Within the letter, it seems that she’s laying out a bit of little bit of her protection … for instance …  your title is introduced up. Eric advised Ronney he will get ache tablets and fentanyl from Mexico.

Natalie Morales : … nearly like she is laying out — a case —

Ronney Darden: Mm-hmm.

Natalie Morales: — saying inform Ronney.

Richins goes on to write down:

“Ronney ought to have texts from Eric speaking about getting excessive as effectively … reword this nevertheless he must, to make the purpose, simply embody all of it. The connection needs to be made with Mexico and medicines.” 

Natalie Morales: Is she supplying you with instruction on this letter

Lisa Darden: I do not know. I do not know a method or one other.

Ronney Darden: Um, most of that, sadly, I can not talk about.

Lisa Darden: The issues which can be within the letter are true issues and all people who’s — who’s in her circle already knew this.

However Kouri has a unique clarification. She says the letter is fiction. In separate telephone calls from jail – that have been recorded and later entered into the courtroom file  – she advised her mom and Ronney that the letter was a part of a ebook she’s been writing and that it is non-public.

The decide denied the movement for no contact, saying the state had didn’t show witness tampering.

Skye Lazaro: It is not witness tampering, ‘trigger it did not go anyplace and it was by no means communicated to anybody.

Because the households watch for the trial, they are saying their focus is on Eric and Kouri’s three sons.

Greg Skordas: The household is worried concerning the boys.

Lisa Darden: That is the principle focus. The boys. That is who’s essential right here proper now.

Each households say they hope to realize custody. The boys are at present dwelling with a member of Eric’s household. Lisa says they’re solely allowed to talk to their mom twice every week on a video name.

Lisa Darden: It is simply heart-wrenching as to what they are going by means of.

Lisa, Ronney and DJ have been denied non-public visits with the youngsters, however Lisa says she does what she will to assist them, and attends all their sports activities practices.

Lisa Darden: And the explanation I can try this, it is a public place. … I can not be stopped from going there. I nonetheless get to see them. I nonetheless get a hug and kiss, and that retains me going.

In addition to the prison case, which might carry a sentence of 25 years to life, there are a number of ongoing civil circumstances concerning the destiny of Eric’s property. Either side consider the opposite is after the cash.

Natalie Morales: Each households are involved concerning the boys.

Greg Skordas: You can say that. You can say that. I would not. … we consider that the defendant’s household’s involved concerning the cash that they will get.

Lisa Darden: Whoever finally ends up with the boys finally ends up with the cash. … That is all they need. It is not proper.

Till that is resolved, each households are ready for the trial to start out, and are hoping for a verdict that delivers their model of justice.

Natalie Morales: What’s the household doing to remain sturdy now?

Greg Skordas: You understand, the household has the household, they’ve one another … they really feel just like the state has put collectively case and … they are going to keep united and — and assist one another it doesn’t matter what occurs on this case.

Ronney Darden: She’s harmless. She’s been thrown in jail over one thing that she hasn’t dedicated.

Natalie Morales: Are you each assured that Kouri will probably be discovered not responsible, Lisa?

Lisa Darden: I’m, 100%.

DJ: 100%, she’ll be out.

Kouri Richins is anticipated to go on trial in 2025.

Produced by Betsy Shuller. Ryan Smith and Elena DiFiore are the event producers. Emma Steele is the sector producer. Marcus Balsam Michael Vele and Phil Tangel are the editors. Anthony Batson is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the manager editor. Judy Tygard is the manager producer.