Utah Judge Denies Bail for Children’s Author Accused of Killing Husband with Fentanyl

Kouri Richins, a Utah children's book author accused of fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl in 2022, will remain behind bars after a judge denied her bail request. Richins, who wrote a book on coping with grief called *Are You With Me?* following her husband’s death, faces charges of aggravated murder and attempted murder.

During a hearing in Utah’s 3rd District Court, Judge Richard Mrazik outlined his reasons for rejecting Richins' bond request. “There simply are not reasonably available means of mitigating her risk to the community and to herself or the strong incentive for her to flee the jurisdiction of the court,” Mrazik said. He emphasized the severity of the charges and her diminished ties to the community as critical factors in his decision.

Prosecutors accuse Richins of spiking a cocktail she made for her husband, Eric Richins, with a lethal dose of fentanyl. They also claim she attempted to kill him previously, on February 14, 2022, by giving him a drugged sandwich. Eric Richins, a father of three, died at their home near Park City, a small mountain town known for its scenic beauty.

Richins was arrested in 2023, just a year after her husband's death, and gained further attention for her public appearances discussing her family’s grief. Her book, marketed to help children deal with the loss of a loved one, has become a focal point in media coverage of the case.

The defense team, led by attorney Kathy Nester, argued that the case against Richins is weakening. “With two charges dismissed and four others severed, the defense stands more confident. The case against our client is rapidly narrowing, exposing deeper weaknesses with each step,” Nester said.

Judge Mrazik dismissed two counts of distributing a controlled substance and agreed to separate four real estate-related fraud charges from the upcoming murder trial. However, he denied a motion from the defense to try the murder and attempted murder charges separately. The judge also refused a motion to increase the jury size from the standard eight to twelve members. Despite acknowledging that Utah’s law “may be on the wrong side of history,” Mrazik said he is bound by his oath to uphold it.

The trial, set to begin in April 2025, will cover multiple charges, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, two counts of filing fraudulent insurance claims, and one count of forgery. To ensure a fair jury pool, both the prosecution and defense agreed to select jurors from a broader geographic area, spanning Salt Lake and Summit Counties.

Richins' defense team emphasized her connections to the area and disputed the notion that she poses a flight risk. However, Judge Mrazik pointed to several concerns, including her loss of business and strained relationship with her children, which he said could increase her motivation to flee.

"Structurally, she just doesn't have the same connections to the community that she had then," the judge concluded. Richins remains in custody, awaiting her day in court, as both sides prepare for what promises to be a closely watched trial.

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