Sons of convicted killer Kouri Richins worry she would hurt them if freed from prison
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Kouri Richins, a Utah children's author, was found guilty of killing her husband Eric Richins by poisoning him with a lethal dose of fentanyl in 2022 and faces several decades to life in prison on multiple felony charges, including aggravated murder.
- Her three young sons expressed fear and feelings of unsafety if she were ever released, with the oldest stating he does not miss his mother and fears she would harm the family.
- Prosecutors allege Richins emotionally and physically abused her children, supported by findings from Utah child welfare authorities, and highlight her financial motives, including life insurance fraud and significant debt.
- Richins was also convicted of attempted murder for a prior poisoning attempt and other felonies such as insurance fraud and forgery; prosecutors are seeking life without parole but did not pursue the death penalty.
- The case includes a separate ongoing trial involving over two dozen money-related criminal charges against Richins.