Jury Deliberation Begins in Kouri Richins Murder Trial

Local lawyer provides insight into the jury's decision-making process as they weigh the evidence.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:49pm

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The trial for Kouri Richins, a Kamas woman accused of killing her husband Eric with fentanyl, has come to an end. The jury has entered deliberations to decide Richins' fate on charges of aggravated murder, attempted criminal homicide, making fraudulent insurance claims, and forgery. Local attorney Clayton Simms discusses what the jury's process may look like as they review the extensive evidence presented over the three-week trial.

Why it matters

This high-profile case has captivated the community, with the prosecution arguing Richins had a clear financial motive and circumstantial evidence implicating her, while the defense contends Eric may have voluntarily taken the fatal fentanyl dose. The jury's verdict will have major implications for Richins' future and could set precedents around circumstantial evidence in murder cases.

The details

Richins, 35, is accused of poisoning her husband Eric with fentanyl in 2022. Over the course of the trial, the prosecution presented testimony from family members, law enforcement, and Richins' acquaintances to build their case. They allege Richins obtained the fentanyl from her housekeeper and had an alleged boyfriend, providing a motive for financial gain. However, the defense argues the evidence is only circumstantial and that Eric may have voluntarily taken the fatal dose of fentanyl, a common occurrence in America's opioid crisis.

  • The jury entered deliberations on Monday after closing arguments from both sides.
  • Simms estimates the jury will need at least a full day to review the extensive evidence from the three-week trial.

The players

Kouri Richins

A 35-year-old Kamas woman accused of killing her husband Eric with fentanyl.

Eric Richins

Kouri Richins' husband who died from a fentanyl overdose in 2022.

Clayton Simms

A local attorney who provided insight into the jury deliberation process for the Richins trial.

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What they’re saying

“The jury will deliberate. It's been three weeks and there's a lot of evidence that they need to look over, and they haven't talked to anyone about the case.”

— Clayton Simms, Local Attorney (abc4.com)

“A jury may have questions and may feel that the prosecutor has not met their burden. The truth is that there's a tremendous amount of drug overdoses in America, that people die of voluntarily taking fentanyl all the time. And so that competing theory is a possibility. So, you have to go beyond a reasonable doubt that it's not a possibility that Eric Richins took fentanyl voluntarily. That has to be eliminated as a possibility.”

— Clayton Simms, Local Attorney (abc4.com)

What’s next

If the jury is deadlocked or unable to reach a unanimous verdict, the judge may declare a mistrial. In that case, Richins could face a new trial on the unresolved charges.

The takeaway

This high-profile murder trial hinges on circumstantial evidence, with the prosecution arguing Richins had a clear motive while the defense contends Eric may have voluntarily taken the fatal fentanyl dose. The jury's deliberations will be closely watched as they grapple with the complex evidence and competing theories to determine Richins' fate.