A Utah woman who wrote a children’s book about coping with grief after her husband’s death is facing a bail hearing today. The reason for the hearing is that the woman has been accused of fatally poisoning her husband.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Lisa Marie Stout, authored a book in 2019 titled “The Monster in Mama’s Stomach,” which was published as a coping mechanism for children dealing with grief. However, she was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of murder after her husband was found dead in their home last year.
The woman is accused of poisoning her husband with a lethal dose of prescription medication. The prosecutors claim that the murder was premeditated and that Stout had been planning it for a while.
The bail hearing is set to determine whether Stout should remain detained or get a chance to post bail. The court proceedings will help to understand the severity of the crime and whether Stout poses a threat to society.
The 33-year-old Kouri Richins is facing charges of murder and drug possession.
Court documents reveal that prosecutors have accused Kouri Richins of slipping a deadly dose of fentanyl into a cocktail that she made for her husband, Eric Richins. According to prosecutors, Kouri put five times the lethal amount of the drug into a Moscow mule cocktail, which her husband consumed.
Prosecutors allege that the poisoning was motivated by Kouri and Eric’s ongoing marital disputes and disagreements regarding the purchase of a multimillion-dollar mansion. The prosecutors assert that Kouri purchased the mansion as an investment, which led to arguments between the couple.
Authorities claim that Kouri Richins’ actions were deliberate and calculated, and the poisoning represented premeditated murder. Kouri was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and drug possession in relation to her husband’s death.
The case is still ongoing, and the court proceedings will help to determine the degree of guilt and the appropriate punishment for Kouri Richins.
Kouri Richins, a mother of three, published a self-illustrated book that portrays an angelic father watching over his sons. The book was published before Kouri’s arrest and subsequent trials for the alleged murder of her own husband, Eric Richins.
The book’s content is not believed to be related to the case, and it remains unclear how it may impact or factor into the legal proceedings. However, the publication sheds light on Kouri Richins’ creative pursuits and highlights her non-criminal activities before the incident.
The case against Kouri Richins has gained widespread attention as the charges of murder and drug possession were filed last month. Since then, it has become a fixation for people who are curious about true crime cases.
Many individuals have been poring over Kouri’s self-published children’s book, “The Gift of Heart,” which tells the story of an angel who watches over his two sons as they grow up. The book has drawn increased attention since Kouri was accused of poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, and has led some to scrutinize her author comments on using the book as a tool to help children grieve.
The publication raises questions about the author’s intentions behind the book, and whether there was any connection between the story and the alleged murder. It is unclear whether the book and Kouri’s remarks will be presented during the trials or have any impact on the case’s outcome.
As the case continues to unfold, the public remains interested in the details of the story and how it will conclude. The scrutiny surrounding Kouri Richins and her book only adds to the intrigue, as people try to understand the events leading to her husband’s untimely death.
Prosecutors in the case against Kouri Richins have presented evidence alleging that she was a conniving individual who had attempted to kill her husband, Eric Richins, weeks earlier. According to the prosecution’s case, Kouri had laced a Valentine’s Day sandwich with hydrocodone in an attempt to harm her husband.
The prosecution claims that Kouri continued to deny any involvement in the death of her husband when he died in March 2022. During the investigation, Kouri told police that her husband was “active” and that he would not have simply died in his sleep, describing the idea as “insane.”
Prosecutors suggest that Kouri’s attempts to poison her husband and her initial denial of involvement demonstrate that she had a premeditated plan and had been preparing for months to carry it out. These allegations paint a picture of a devious individual intent on taking another’s life.
The trials will determine the veracity of these claims, and it remains up to the judge and jury to decide whether Kouri Richins is guilty of the charges of murder and drug possession filed against her.
Kouri Richins’ attorneys filed a motion on Friday, requesting her release, arguing that the evidence against her is circumstantial. The motion points out that police never seized fentanyl from the family home, casting doubts on the prosecution’s case against Kouri.
The defense lawyers also questioned the credibility of key witnesses who are expected to back the prosecution’s request for Kouri to remain in custody. The lawyers suggested that the witnesses’ statements may not be reliable, and could even be fabricated.
The motion argues that Kouri should be allowed to post bail and remain under house arrest while awaiting trial. The defense team maintains that Kouri is not a flight risk or a danger to society, and that she is entitled to her constitutional right to due process.
The upcoming court proceedings will determine whether the motion for Kouri’s release is granted, or whether the prosecution’s request for Kouri to remain in custody is upheld. The decision will have a significant impact on the course of the case and the subsequent steps taken by both the prosecution and the defense teams.
In a motion filed on Friday, Kouri Richins’ attorneys argued that the prosecutors had simply accepted the Eric Richins’ family’s version of events, which resulted in the false accusations against Kouri. The defense team claimed that prosecutors had spent around 14 months investigating the case and had found no credible evidence to support their theory that Kouri had poisoned her husband.
The attorneys argued that the prosecutors had no basis for Kouri’s arrest and that the case against her was weak. They claimed that the prosecution had not presented any new evidence, despite continuing to keep Kouri in custody.
The motion further argued that Kouri’s family had been impacted significantly by her arrest. Her children were reportedly suffering significant emotional distress due to their mother’s absence, and Kouri had also suffered mentally and physically while in custody.
The defense lawyers had requested that Kouri be released on bail, allowing her to return home to care for her children, and prepare her defense. It is now up to the judge to determine the merit of the motion, and whether Kouri will be released on bail.
The case against Kouri Richins has not only gained widespread attention for its allegations of murder and illegal drug possession but has also shone a spotlight on the town of Kamas, Utah. The town is situated on the backside of the Wasatch Mountains, near Park City, which is known as one of the American West’s premier destinations for skiing, hiking, and outdoor recreation.
Kouri and Eric Richins lived in Francis, a new development located approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Salt Lake City, along with their three young sons. The couple’s alleged crimes have stunned the community and drawn widespread attention from both nearby residents and members of the national media.
The investigation into the death of Eric Richins has sparked conversations in Kamas and the surrounding areas while bringing national attention to the town. The increased attention on Kamas and Francis has produced mixed reactions, with some residents troubled by the perceived negative image that the case could cast on the quiet farming community.
As the case against Kouri Richins continues to unfold, the small town amidst the Wasatch Mountains remains at the center of the national spotlight, raising questions about the alleged murder and attracting attention from across the country.
If the case against Kouri Richins goes to trial, it could heavily depend on an unidentified informant. According to prosecutors, the informant had allegedly sold drugs to Kouri that were later found in her husband’s system.
Court documents and warrants suggest that the informant sold hydrocodone and fentanyl to Kouri Richins in the weeks and months leading up to her husband’s death. Prosecutors claim that the timeline of the drug purchases corresponds with Eric Richins’ death and their allegations that Kouri laced the sandwich with hydrocodone weeks earlier.
The informant’s testimony, if presented in court, could be significant in determining whether Kouri Richins is found guilty of murder and illegal possession of drugs. However, the defense team could also challenge the credibility of the informant’s statements or argue that the informant may have an ulterior motive for providing the information, casting doubts on the prosecution’s case.
The trial proceedings, which are yet to be scheduled, will determine the significance of the unidentified informant’s claims and whether they will impact the outcome of the case.
According to prosecutors, Kouri Richins had allegedly attempted to poison her husband before and had asked for stronger drugs after he survived the first instance. The dealer implicated Kouri in purchasing these stronger drugs and said she requested “some of the Michael Jackson stuff.”
Though Michael Jackson died from cardiac arrest in 2009, medical examiners found prescription drugs and powerful anesthetics in his system, not fentanyl. The prosecution’s case against Kouri is based on the allegations of the dealer, who claims to have sold her the drugs that were later found in Eric Richins’ system.
However, it is still unclear how the defense team would counter these allegations and whether they believe the drug dealer’s claims to be credible. Lawyers from both sides will present their arguments in front of the judge, who will ultimately decide how much weight to give to the anonymous informant’s testimony when deciding Kouri Richins’ guilt or innocence.
The charging documents in the case against Kouri Richins suggest that the investigation will likely revolve around financial and marital issues, which could have been the possible motives behind the alleged crime. The prosecution alleges that the couple had argued previously over the purchase of an unfinished mansion nearby, which was approximately 20,000 square feet (1,860 square meters) in size.
Court filings suggest that there was also talk of divorce between Kouri and Eric Richins prior to his death. The couple’s financial disputes and relationship problems could have contributed to the motivation for the alleged crime, according to the prosecution.
The defense team, however, may have a different version of events and could present a different narrative during the trials, attempting to exonerate Kouri Richins. The outcome of the trial proceedings remains uncertain, and it will be up to the judge and jury to determine the facts and decide whether Kouri is guilty or not.
In addition to the alleged financial and marital disputes, prosecutors claim that Kouri Richins made significant changes to the family’s estate plans before her husband’s death. According to the prosecution, Kouri took out multiple life insurance policies on Eric Richins, with benefits totaling almost $2 million.
The prosecution alleges that Kouri’s actions indicate a possible motive for the alleged murder, as she stood to gain financially from her husband’s death. Prosecutors claim that Kouri’s financial motives could have influenced her alleged decision to poison her husband and put the family’s estate plans into action.
The defense team may challenge these allegations, arguing that Kouri had an innocent explanation for her actions. However, the prosecution’s claim that Kouri made significant changes to the estate plans and acquired life insurance just before Eric’s death could be compelling in persuading the judge and jury that Kouri had a motive to kill her husband.
The trial proceedings will determine to what extent the insurance policies will factor into the case, and whether they can be used as evidence against Kouri Richins.
The prosecution’s case against Kouri Richins includes allegations of financial impropriety. According to prosecutors, Kouri took out and spent a $250,000 home equity line of credit, withdrew $100,000 from her husband’s bank accounts, and spent over $30,000 on his credit cards.
In addition, the prosecution claims that Kouri stole approximately $134,000 that was intended to be used for the taxes of her husband’s businesses. Prosecutors allege that Kouri’s financial inconsistencies and apparent theft suggest that she was attempting to gain control of her husband’s finances and assets.
The defense team may argue that these allegations are not relevant to the case and that they have no bearing on the accusations of murder and illegal drug possession. However, prosecutors may present these financial misconduct allegations as evidence of motive and character in their case against Kouri Richins.
The upcoming trial proceedings will determine how heavily the financial misconduct allegations will weigh on the case and whether them supporting the prosecution team.
Some of the allegations against Kouri Richins are also reflected in civil court filings submitted by Eric Richins’ blood relatives and his widowed wife in a separate legal dispute. The family members are competing over the split of a masonry business with Eric Richins’ former partner and whether Kouri can benefit from a trust set aside for his next of kin.
The civil court filings suggest that Kouri had been in conflict with her husband’s blood relatives over the division of assets and business matters. The filings indicate that Eric’s relatives have challenged Kouri’s authority to act as the executor of his estate and have questioned whether she should benefit from his trust funds.
The allegations made in the criminal charges may, in turn, have legal ramifications for the civil case, and vice versa. The ongoing civil case could shed more light on the financial motivations behind the alleged murder and may influence the trial proceedings.
It remains to be seen how the civil case and the criminal case against Kouri Richins will intersect and whether they will impact one another. Nonetheless, both cases suggest there were significant familial and financial issues that were not resolved before Eric Richins’ untimely death, and they have further complicated the ongoing legal processes.
According to Greg Skordas, who is serving as an attorney and advocate for the victims, the three children of Eric Richins are currently residing with a family member as their mother awaits trial. Katie Richins-Benson, who is Eric Richins’ sister and the trustee of his estate, has submitted a request for guardianship.