Kouri Richins, a Utah children's book author, faces murder charges in connection with the death of her husband, Eric Richins. Defense attorneys have filed to withdraw from the case, citing "irreconcilable and nonwaivable" circumstances.
Defense attorneys representing Kouri Richins, a 35-year-old Utah mother of three, have filed to withdraw from the case in which she is charged with murdering her husband, Eric Richins. The motion, submitted on May 17, states that "an irreconcilable and nonwaivable situation" has emerged.
Ray Quinney & Nebeker P.C., the law firm representing Richins, claims that the ethical mandate for withdrawal stems from a situation that "first emerged from the civil cases in which the Firm has been representing Ms. Richins." The firm argues that this situation imputes to the firm as a whole, necessitating their withdrawal from the criminal proceeding.
Lead attorney Skye Lazaro emphasized the importance of safeguarding the defendant's constitutional rights. She requested that the court immediately grant the firm's motion to withdraw and appoint new counsel to continue the defense of the charges against Richins.
The defense team has also filed a motion to disqualify state prosecutors, specifically Chief Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth. Lazaro alleges that prosecutors improperly obtained evidence, including jail calls and a letter considered confidential due to attorney-client privilege, to build their case against Richins.
Summit County Attorney Margaret Olson stated that the County Attorney's Office will respond fully to the motion to disqualify prosecution after the court addresses the motion to withdraw and appoint new counsel. She asserted that the written and digital record establishes that the office has acted professionally and ethically.
Prosecutors allege that Richins killed her husband in March 2022 to collect millions in life insurance funds. They claim that she poured fentanyl into his cocktail, resulting in his death. Medical examiners found more than five times the lethal amount of fentanyl in Eric's system at the time of his death.
Evidence suggests that Richins closed a deal on a $2 million mansion "alone" the day after her husband's death. She has also been charged with attempted murder in connection with an earlier incident when she allegedly tried to poison her husband's sandwich.
Richins has maintained her innocence in her husband's death. Despite Eric's death being her inspiration for writing the children's book "Are You With Me?", Richins faces charges of murder, aggravated murder, drug possession, and attempted murder. Her preliminary hearing has been pushed back to June 18.
