West

Children’s book author Kouri Richins says scandal and notoriety poisoned her murder trial

Published

1 month ago

February 11, 2026

Children’s book author Kouri Richins says scandal and notoriety poisoned her murder trial

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Attorneys for a Utah woman accused of murdering her husband are seeking a last-minute change of venue, arguing the case has become too well-known locally for justice to be decided by an impartial jury.

Kouri Richins, a Utah children’s book author and mother of three, is charged with murdering her husband, Eric Richins, in a case that has drawn intense scrutiny and widespread media attention.

In a motion filed Friday, defense attorneys argued that publicity surrounding the case has so permeated Summit County that seating an impartial jury is no longer realistic. Jury questionnaires cited in the filing show more than 85% of potential jurors recognized the case, with roughly 60% saying they followed it closely.

Defense attorneys said that once jurors who acknowledged familiarity with the case or who indicated bias or other disqualifying issues are removed, the remaining jury pool shrinks to approximately 72 potential jurors, far fewer than what is typically needed to seat a jury and alternates in a felony trial.

SUSPECTED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN’S LAWYER POUNCES ON WITNESS FLIP IN UTAH POISON MOM CASE

Kouri Richins, left, a Utah mother of three who wrote a children’s book about coping with grief after her husband’s death and was later accused of fatally poisoning him, speaks to her attorney, Kathy Nester, during a hearing in 2024. (Rick Bowmer/AP Photo)

“With a jury pool of less than 100 jurors it will be nearly impossible for Ms. Richins to receive a fair trial by a jury of her peers,” the defense wrote.

The filing also warns that some jurors may not fully realize how familiar they are with the case until specific evidence is discussed in court. Defense attorneys said referencing certain details, including a document referred to as the “walk the dog letter,” could trigger additional jurors to recognize the case during jury selection, further shrinking the pool.

To seat a jury of eight with four alternates, the defense notes, the court must qualify at least 43 jurors, something attorneys argue is unlikely given the number of disqualifications already identified.

The venue request marks the second defense motion filed in the past week, as jury selection approaches. In a separate motion filed last week, Richins’ attorneys accused members of the prosecution team of witness intimidation, alleging a key witness was threatened with arrest and jail time if she did not cooperate with investigators.

UTAH CHILDREN’S AUTHOR KOURI RICHINS SAYS STATE THREATENED WITNESSES AHEAD OF TRIAL IN HUSBAND’S POISONING

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three who wrote a children’s book about coping with grief after her husband’s death and was later accused of fatally poisoning him, looks on during a court hearing in 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, Pool)

Richins has pleaded not guilty and denies killing her husband.

Prosecutors allege Richins poisoned her husband with a cocktail laced with illicit fentanyl while the couple was celebrating at their home in March 2022.

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A medical examiner later determined Eric Richins had more than five times the lethal amount of fentanyl in his system. Charging documents also state his gastric fluid contained 16,000 ng/ml of quetiapine, an antipsychotic medication sometimes used as a sleep aid.

Authorities claim the fatal poisoning was not the first attempt. Court records allege Richins tried to poison her husband weeks earlier on Valentine’s Day 2022 by slipping fentanyl into his favorite sandwich. Eric Richins reportedly broke out in hives and struggled to breathe after eating the sandwich, used his son’s EpiPen and took Benadryl before falling asleep for hours. He survived the incident.

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Utah author Kouri Richins allegedly tried to steal her husband’s life insurance benefits before his death in March 2022. (KPCW via AP/ family handout)

Prosecutors allege Richins killed her husband as part of a plan to collect millions of dollars in life insurance proceeds. Court documents say she purchased multiple life insurance policies totaling nearly $2 million, later changing the beneficiary to herself without her husband’s authorization. Authorities say Eric Richins discovered the change and switched the beneficiary back to his business partner.

Investigators also allege Richins planned to use the insurance money to finish and flip a $2 million Wasatch County mansion, an investment Eric Richins’ family said he did not approve of.

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Richins was arrested in May 2023 and later gained national attention after publishing a children’s book about grief following her husband’s death.

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Jury selection is scheduled to begin Feb. 10, with trial set to start Feb. 23 before Judge Richard Mrazik. The judge has not yet ruled on the defense motion to change venue.

Kathy Nester, one of Richins’ defense attorneys, is also representing Tyler Robinson, the defendant charged in a separate, unrelated Utah criminal case stemming from the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Robinson is scheduled to appear in court this week.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

Stepheny Price is a Writer at Fox News with a focus on West Coast and Midwest news, missing persons, national and international crime stories, homicide cases, and border security.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Big Sky Bonus results for March 27, 2026

Published

32 minutes ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 27 drawing

13-27-28-41-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 27 drawing

04-05-15-16, Bonus: 14

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 27 drawing

06-09-28-33-46, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Nevada

Friday’s high school scores, top performances

Published

44 minutes ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Top performances

Baseball

– Ryland Gregorich, Clark: The sophomore went 4-for-4 with a home run, a triple and two RBIs, and also was the winning pitcher in the Chargers’ six-inning 12-2 win over Eldorado.

– Kayne Horibe, Pahrump Valley: The senior went 4-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs as the Trojans beat Virgin Valley 9-4.

– Benson Ornelas, Mater East: The freshman went 3-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and five runs scored to help the Knights stomp Sunrise Mountain 35-0 in three innings.

– Dylan Othick, Faith Lutheran: The senior struck out nine while pitching a complete-game two-hitter as the Crusaders rolled past Durango 7-0.

– Mark Raborn, Shadow Ridge: The junior reliever pitched three scoreless innings, allowing the Mustangs to rally past Dixie (Utah) 5-3 with a five-run seventh inning.

Softball

– Ava Koenig, Palo Verde: The senior struck out 11 while tossing a complete-game one-hitter as the Panthers defeated Doral Academy 3-0.

– Sophia Ortiz, Las Vegas: The freshman went 3-for-3 with two RBIs to help the Wildcats beat Chaparral 20-5 in four innings.

– Natalie Tapia, Western: The senior went 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs as the Warriors outlasted Canyon Springs for a 16-10 victory.

– Gwen Thewes, Bishop Gorman: The junior went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBIs to help the Gaels overcome a six-run deficit to beat Green Valley 8-6.

– Peyton Williams, Arbor View: The freshman went 3-for-3 with a home run, a triple and four RBIs to lead the Aggies past Coronado 11-1 in six innings.

Boys volleyball

– Jeremiah James, Sierra Vista: The senior logged 15 assists to help the Mountain Lions defeat The Meadows 25-13, 25-21.

– Ethan Natanel, Durango: The senior finished with 38 assists and two blocks in the Trailblazers’ 25-18, 25-18 win over Mater East.

– Toller Trummell, Foothill: The sophomore posted seven kills and seven digs as the Falcons defeated Las Vegas 25-22, 22-25, 15-10.

Scores

Baseball

Arbor View 9, Snow Canyon (Utah) 5

Mater East 35, Sunrise Mountain 0

Pahrump Valley 9, Virgin Valley 4

Rancho 16, Desert Pines 1

Shadow Ridge 9, Taylorsville (Utah) 1

Shadow Ridge 5, Dixie (Utah) 3

Sierra Vista 4, Bonanza 2

Western 10, Cimarron-Memorial 1

Softball

Arbor View 11, Coronado 1

Bishop Gorman 8, Green Valley 6

Las Vegas 20, Chaparral 5

Pahrump Valley 6, Virgin Valley 2

Palo Verde 3, Doral Academy 0

Round Mountain 15, Laughlin 6

Round Mountain 11, Laughlin 2

The Meadows 16, Democracy Prep 0

Western 16, Canyon Springs 10

Boys volleyball

Arbor View 2, Moapa Valley 0

Cadence 2, Las Vegas 1

Centennial 2, Virgin Valley 0

Centennial 2, Legacy 0

Central East (Calif.) 2, Tech 0

Coral Academy 2, Sierra Vista 1

Coral Academy 2, Liberty 1

Coral Academy 2, The Meadows 0

Del Sol 3, Amplus Academy 0

Desert Oasis 2, Cadence 0

Durango 2, Mater East 0

Foothill 2, Cadence 0

Foothill 2, Las Vegas 1

Sierra Vista 2, The Meadows 0

Silverado 2, Durango 0

Sweetwater (Calif.) 2, Losee 0

Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.

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New Mexico

Gas prices rose this week in New Mexico. Here’s why

Published

1 hour ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices rose this week in New Mexico. Here’s why

Regional gas prices rose for the second consecutive week and reached an average of $3.60 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, up from last week’s price of $3.41 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Gas prices are jumping around because traders are trying to price in how long the Iran war will disrupt oil flows from the Middle East, on top of the usual spring run‑up in demand as driving season approaches. Markets are baking in higher risk and “additional volatility” but not a long-term shutdown, and prices could retreat if it becomes clear the tensions are short-lived, petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan said.

Analysts say another 20 to 30 cents a gallon is still likely in the weeks ahead.

The average fuel price in the Gulf Coast region rose about 107 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the region in the last year have been as low as $2.37 on Jan. 5, 2026, and as high as $3.60 on March 23, 2026.

A year ago, the average gas price in the Gulf Coast region was 31% lower at $2.74 per gallon.

>> INTERACTIVE: See how your area’s gas prices have changed over the years at data.lcsun-news.com.

The average gas price in the United States last week was $3.96, making prices in the Gulf Coast region about 9.0% lower than the nation’s average. The average national gas price is higher than last week’s average of $3.72 per gallon.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s tally of prices in the Gulf Coast states includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu.

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