PARK CITY, Utah — A Utah woman who authorities say fatally poisoned her husband, then published a children’s book about coping with grief, will appear in court Wednesday for a hearing that will determine whether state prosecutors have enough evidence against her to proceed with a trial.

Kouri Richins, 33, faces several felony charges for allegedly killing her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022 at their home in a small mountain town near Park City. Prosecutors say she slipped five times the lethal dose of the synthetic opioid into a Moscow mule cocktail that Eric Richins, 39, drank.

She previously tried to kill him with a spiked sandwich on Valentine’s Day, charging documents allege.

In the months leading up to her arrest in May 2023, the mother of three self-published the children’s book “Are You with Me?” about a father with angel wings watching over his young son after passing away. The book could play a key role for prosecutors in framing the crime as a calculated murder with an elaborate cover-up attempt.

Both the defense and prosecution plan to call on witnesses and introduce evidence to help shape their narratives in the case. Utah state Judge Richard Mrazik is expected to decide after the hearing whether the state has presented sufficient evidence to go forward with a trial.

Witnesses could include other family members, a housekeeper who claims to have sold Kouri Richins the drugs and friends of Eric Richins who have recounted phone conversations from the day prosecutors say he was first poisoned by his wife of nine years.

Defense attorney Skye Lazaro has argued that the evidence against her client is dubious and circumstantial. Lazaro has suggested the housekeeper had motivation to lie as she sought leniency in the face of drug charges, and that Eric Richins’ sisters had a clear bias against her client amid a battle over his estate and a concurrent assault case.

A petition filed by his sister, Katie Richins, alleges Kouri Richins had financial motives for killing her husband as prosecutors say she had opened life insurance policies totaling nearly $2 million without his knowledge and mistakenly believed she would inherit his estate under terms of their prenuptial agreement.

Kouri Richins was found guilty on misdemeanor charges Monday of assaulting her other sister-in-law shortly after her husband’s death. Amy Richins told the judge that Kouri Richins had punched her in the face during an argument over access to her brother’s safe.

In addition to aggravated murder, assault and drug charges, Kouri Richins has been charged with mortgage fraud, forgery and insurance fraud for allegedly forging loan applications and fraudulently claiming insurance benefits after her husband’s death.

SALT LAKE CITY — As temperatures rise, the waves beckon boaters and skiers. But will you know what to do and have the needed items aboard in case of an emergency? Two Utah experts share their knowledge and experience about boat safety.

Ty Hunter, boating program manager, and Steve Bullock, chief of law enforcement for the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, discussed  boat and people safety tips with KSL NewsRadio’s Dave and Dujanovic.

Hunter said boaters could speed as fast as they like on open waters but must slow to a wake-less idle if they are within 150 feet of other boats, a dock, a boat ramp, anglers on shore or a skier down.

“Even retrieving your own skier, approach them slowly and that’ll be able to prevent most, if not all, of our collision incidences,” he said.

Hunter’s advice to boaters: Slow down, you are on vacation.

He said to check the weather forecast before heading out on the water as it can change quickly in Utah, especially at higher elevations.

Boat safety items to carry onboard

Nationally, 80% of people who drowned in boating accidents would have survived had they been wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), according to the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. 

Utah law states there must be at least one properly-sized U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard a vessel. Also, 12-years-old and younger passengers must wear a properly-sized Coast Guard-approved life jacket whenever a boat is in operation.

According to the Presonal blog, in addition to PFDs, boaters should also carry aboard:

• Food and water
• Distress signals
• Tools and spare parts
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit
• Radio to receive weather updates
• Flashlight and spare batteries

Boaters should  also carry PFDs that are throwable devices or life savers for people in the water. A throwable device is required for all boats over 16 feet in length, Bullock said.

“A lot of times it looks like a square seat cushion. It’s rated by the Coast Guard for certain amount of flotation. It’s easy to throw. A lot of times when you try to throw a life jacket that kind of twirls in the wind. This has a little bit more weight and heft to it so you can get it to somebody,” he said.

If you see someone struggling in the water, throw them a PDF but never jump in to save a person without putting on a life jacket first, Bullock said.

A throwable device is “just a basic piece of safety equipment that we want everybody to have on their boats.”

Don’t drink and drive a boat 

Boating under the influence (BUI) is the same as driving under the influence. The same penalties apply, including suspension of driver’s license, possible jail time and fines, says the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. If arrested, your boat, trailer and tow vehicle may be impounded.

Reward offered for Strawberry Walleye invasion

Dave & Dujanovic can be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play. 

PROVO, Utah — The man accused of killing Sgt. Bill Hooser has been charged. Utah County Attorney, Jeffrey S. Gray, spoke at a press conference this morning to detail the charges. He also said they will seek the death penalty. 

Utah County Attorney’s office has now filed formal charges against Michael Jayne. 

Formal charges filed

The following charges have been filed

• 1 count of aggravated murder
• 2 counts of attempted aggravated murder – For UHP attempted, and woman who was passenger. 
• 1 count of aggravated kidnapping.
• 1 count of burglary. 
• 3 counts of automobile theft. 
• 1 count of failing to obey the lawful command to stop

This is a breaking story and will be updated.