The Summit County Attorney’s Office prosecutors have officially declared their intention to withdraw the death penalty option, as stated in a recent court submission reported by CNN.
Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three will not be subjected to the death penalty in relation to her case
The decision was reached following thorough discussions with Eric Richins’ father and two sisters, according to the announcement. The prosecution‘s strategy will now shift, categorizing Kouri Richins’ aggravated murder charge as a noncapital first-degree felony. Kouri Richins stands accused of administering a lethal dose of the opioid fentanyl to her husband in 2022, with his lifeless body discovered beside their shared bed. Investigations revealed her digital footprint included searches for information on fentanyl’s deadly dosages around the time of her husband’s demise.
Charges against her encompass aggravated murder, criminal homicide, and possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute, with the latter three charges laid out as three counts.
Despite her denial of involvement in her husband’s death, Kouri Richins was remanded in custody without bail in June following her arrest in May
Remarkably, less than a year following her spouse’s passing, Kouri Richins penned a children’s book titled “Are You With Me?” which revolves around navigating grief. Notably, the book carries a heartfelt dedication to her late husband.
Meanwhile, Eric Richins’s sister, Katie, has initiated legal proceedings seeking over $13 million in a lawsuit against Kouri Richins, alleging financial misconduct involving her husband’s funds and a fraudulent loan. The lawsuit contends that Kouri Richins strategically orchestrated a series of actions with malicious intent, aiming to conceal debt, misappropriate assets for personal gain, engineer Eric’s demise, and profit from his death.
READ ALSO: Lucy Letby Found Guilty: Nurse Convicted Of Murdering Seven Newborns In Landmark Case