Prosecutor Says Kouri Richins Deserves Life In Prison For Husband's Fentanyl Murder

Added: 2026-05-20

[00:00:01]Your Honor, on Valentine's Day 2022, Kouri Darden Richins tried and failed to murder her husband and the father of her three young children, Eric Richins.

[00:00:14]Over the next 17 days, she did not think, "What have I done?"

[00:00:19]Rather, she thought, "How can I do better?"

[00:00:23]And then she murdered Eric in the presence of their children using poison and for money.

[00:00:32]Such a person should never again lurk among the rest of us.

[00:00:38]Her children should never worry that they may one day encounter her.

[00:00:43]For these reasons, the reasons set forth in the state's sentencing memorandum, and the boundless reasons the court has learned from presiding over this case, the pending criminal case, and the multiple associated civil cases, the state requests that the court impose a sentence of life in prison without parole on count one, 5 years to life in prison consecutive to any other sentence on count two, 1 to 15 years in prison consecutive to any other sentence on counts three and four, and 1 to 5 years in prison consecutive to any other sentence on count five.

[00:01:34]Furthermore, the state requests that the court order the defendant to pay restitution to Auto Owners Insurance Company in the amount of $1,017,018, and to TrueStage Insurance Company in the amount of $352,000, $562.

[00:01:59]State requests that the court order the defendant to pay recoupment to Summit County in the amount of 1,391,943 dollars.

[00:02:12]Kouri Darden Richins earned this sentence.

[00:02:15]Her children deserve it.

[00:02:18]Only this court can order it.

[00:02:23]The court's time this morning is best spent caring for the few of Kouri Darden Richins' victims.

[00:02:33]Fathers are not meant to bury sons.

[00:02:38]Gene Richins will present his victim impact statement first.

[00:02:45]Losing a sibling is losing a piece of yourself.

[00:02:51]Katie Richins Benson, Clint Benson, and Dr. Amy Richins will then present their victim impact statements.

[00:03:03]There are no greater victims in this case than Eric's three young boys.

[00:03:11]The defendant took both of their parents from them.

[00:03:18]Jessica Black, who is Weston's counselor, Christina Green who is Ashton's counselor, and Sarah Barber, who is Carter's counselor, will then present the boys' victim impact statements.

[00:03:39]Your Honor, Gene Richins.