PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVID OVERVIEW FOR KOURI RITCHENS

 

 PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT OVERVIEW FOR KOURI RITCHENS

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Probable Cause Affidavit Overview for Kouri Richins:

Background: Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three, was arrested in

 May 2023, accused of poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, with 

fentanyl on March 4, 2022, leading to his death. She later wrote a

 children's book about grief titled "Are You With Me?" which 

gained attention in light of the case.

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Key Points from the Affidavit:

Fentanyl Poisoning:

 Eric Richins was found to have five times the lethal dose of 

fentanyl in his system, as determined by an autopsy. The affidavit

 alleges that Kouri Richins administered this dose in a Moscow 

mule she prepared for him to celebrate her closing on a house for 

her business.

Previous Attempts:

 The affidavit mentions an incident on Valentine's Day 2022, where

 Eric became severely ill after eating a sandwich Kouri had brought

 him, suggesting an earlier attempt at poisoning. Eric reportedly

 used his son's EpiPen and Benadryl, believing he was poisoned.

Financial Motive:

 Kouri was deeply in debt, and there were life insurance policies on

 Eric's life, which prosecutors claim provided a motive for the 

involved in real estate flipping, which might have exacerbated her

 financial strain.

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Post-Death Behavior:

 After Eric's death, Kouri's actions, including a celebratory party 

and searches on her phone for information related to legal 

consequences and prison, were noted in the affidavit as suspicious

 behavior indicative of guilt or planning.

Witness Testimony: 

Statements from family members and associates, including a 

housekeeper who allegedly sold Kouri the fentanyl, were crucial in

 establishing probable cause. Eric's family had warned that Kouri

 might be involved if anything happened to him due to previous 

suspicions of poisoning.

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Evidence of Planning:

 The affidavit also includes details on Kouri's internet searches 

after Eric's death, which included queries about prison facilities, 

life insurance, and signs of being under investigation.

Legal Outcomes:

 Based on this affidavit, Kouri Richins was charged with multiple 

felonies including aggravated murder, attempted criminal 

homicide, drug distribution, mortgage fraud, insurance fraud, and 

forgery. A judge found probable cause for all charges, leading to a

 trial set for May 2025.

Additional Details: 

There was also mention of potential witness tampering through a

 letter Kouri allegedly wrote from jail, instructing her family on 

what to say, which added to the narrative of her involvement in

trying to manipulate the investigation's outcome.

  This affidavit serves as the legal foundation for the charges 

against Kouri Richins, providing a detailed account of why 

authorities believed there was enough reason to arrest and 

prosecute her. Remember, in the legal system, all individuals are 

considered innocent until proven guilty.