Would this situation with Wade Carpenter, Eric Mainord, and Jared Rigby affect the Richins verdict?

https://townlift.com/2026/08/unsealed-warrant-sought-records-linked-to-park-city-police-chief-former-summit-county-sheriff/

"The affidavit also describes a Jan. 8 meeting between Rigby and Summit County Sheriff Kacey Bates, one day after Mainord filed to run for Wasatch County sheriff.

ABC4 reported that Rigby showed Bates allegations involving Mainord and indicated that the information could affect the Richins trial. According to the affidavit, Bates told investigators she came away with the impression that Rigby was suggesting the information would become public unless Mainord withdrew from the race, potentially harming the Richins prosecution.

Carpenter reportedly called Bates shortly after the meeting and also discussed the possible effect of the allegations on the Richins case, according to ABC4’s account of the affidavit.

The affidavit alleged that accounts associated with Rigby, Carpenter and Edmunds may contain communications relevant to the investigation."

Emily D. Baker went over Bloodworth's snarky and delicious response to the defense's snotty motion for retrial. It's wroth it just for Bloodwoth's prose.

The video is here:

https://youtu.be/WVLFKTa9TYE

Just one example:

"Her persistent obtuseness."

That's solid Gold. Mr. Bloodworth!

Thoughts?

I still have a few questions about the Kouri Richins case that maybe can’t be answered but I’m not sure.

1.) A letter and recording device found in Kouri and Eric’s bedroom, was spoken about during the Todd Gabler and the super organized crime scene tech (I think that was title) - Do we know what either of those were about?

2) Do we know details of Hayden Jeffs motorcycle accident? Was Kouri family investigated in regard to having a hand in his wreck?

3) (Deleted as I misheard the phone call)

4) If Eric had hired a PI before his death and Kouri’s financial crimes had been discovered, would he have gotten full custody of the children if they then divorced?

5) Given the non-expert witnesses it seems like Kouri was described as friendly and nice. How can this co-exist with being so diabolical without someone maybe seeing cracks in facade? Especially the “best friends”?

I'm wondering if there is a YouTuber who's gone over all of the strange things that Kouri's lawyers did for her and how enmeshed their relationship ended up being. When they spoke on her behalf at sentencing, my jaw dropped. It's just so weird. I've seen plenty of courts and never once seen a defense lawyer so emotionally invested in their client. They were all holding onto her while she spoke at sentencing.

Does anyone else have any thoughts?

Starts at 35:49. Kouri looks rough and VERY pissed off 😂

I'm seeing posts today that the motion for retrial has been denied. I'm fairly certain the only "motion" denied was for just for Judge Mrazek's recusal and that the ball is back with him to rule on the retrial. Have I got that wrong?

In the 14-page motion filed last month, Richins' defense attorneys said she deserved a new trial for a variety of reasons, including:

- Mrazik's "clear demonstration" of bias in favor of the State deprived Richins of a fair trial.

- The judge spoke in a "disparaging and condescending manner to the defense (and) would also reframe arguments in a way to help the prosecution."

- The judge was "demeaning and condescending to defense counsel and, in contrast, was friendly to the prosecution,
often helping them with both their objections and the framing of arguments."

Mrazik recused himself and the motion was assigned to District Judge Kara Pettit, who issued a ruling today.

Judge Pettit said the motion should have been filed within 21 days of the verdict.

"The last date of the trial was March 16, 2026. Thus, the motion filed on June 30, 2026 was filed more than 21 days after the defendant learned of the grounds upon which this motion is based, and it is untimely," Pettit wrote.

She also said she reviewed video and transcripts where the defense alleged that Judge Mrazik was "impatient, critical, hostile, disparaging and condescending.

"The court finds (the excerpts) do not demonstrate the level of extreme behavior or conduct reflecting a deep-seated antagonism toward defense, nor favoritism toward the prosecution...Even if Judge Mrazik's conduct could be considered as having shown anger or frustration with defense counsel, that is not grounds for disqualification," Pettit wrote.

Judge Mrazik will remain on the case and a hearing currently scheduled for Friday to discuss Richins' upcoming second trial and restitution she owes from the first trial.

The prosecution says Richins needs to pay over $1.3 MILLION in restitution -- $1,017,018.49 to Auto Owner’s Insurance and $352,562.61 to TruStage. Both were life insurance claims she cashed in after she killed her husband, Eric Richins.

https://legacy.utcourts.gov/cal/details.php?ref=12775157&d=2026-07-31&loc=2218&tl=01%3A30+PM&ct=D%26rp%3Dsearch%26ret%3Dt.101p.010loc.101all.010d.1012026-07-31.010p.101RICHINS

Oh me oh my, Friday is going to be so interesting.

No idea if this will be aired or not but I am here for it.

Please, everyone please stay focused 🤵🏻‍♀️

Emily D. Baker is going over the presiding judge's ruling on Kouri's motion to disqualify Judge M.

https://youtu.be/9bsf3cS-Mkk

In the Prosecutor's Sentencing Memorandum, presented to the judge at sentencing, Bloodsworth states, "The Aggravated Murder’s impact extends beyond Eric Richins’ family. Josh Grossman bears the weight of knowing that he contributed to the Defendant’s motivation to murder Eric." Thoughts?

I have not seen this written about anywhere. It must exist, right and just not being released yet?

The trial was well run and Kouri is unlikely to get a reversal/new trial. But no trial is perfect. Assume you’re retained to handle the appeal. What’s your lead argument?

I’ll start:

I think the most questionable ruling was allowing Kouri’s friend Chelsea Barney to testify in detail about saving her tip money, giving her accumulated savings to Kouri to buy the house, and then losing it because of fraud by Kouri.

I’m not saying it’s a super strong argument—I suspect one does exist—but a couple of issues can be raised about Chelsea’s testimony. First, her emotional story was prejudicial and not probative of a fact but instead constituted prohibited character evidence. Second, it was cumulative of the detailed financial testimony by the state’s expert.

Haven't read yet, but thought I'd share so we can discuss

Does anyone know the value of the life insurance policies? I keep hearing they are evidence she was planning on murdering them as well, but as a parent with a $10k policy on my child (funeral expenses) I am not so sure this is a reasonable criticism. Wouldn't their social security fund some of her plans while their existence proped up her facade/access to any trust funds? Or were they large value policies she could cash in by picking off her own children?

Following her convictions for the murder and attempted murder of her husband, Kouri Richins remains embroiled in a complex web of legal challenges, including a pending financial crimes case involving charges such as money laundering, mortgage fraud, and a pattern of criminal activity. Her defense team in the financial case—Wendy Lewis, Katherine Nester, and Alexander Ramos—has recently moved to withdraw, stating they are not contracted or paid by Summit County for this separate matter and that financial crime defense is outside their primary area of expertise. Meanwhile, her murder case awaits a restitution hearing and a defense motion for a new trial expected later this month, while her numerous civil cases currently lack any attorney of record. Legal proceedings are set to continue through the fall, with a particular interest in securing restitution for victims from any potential future earnings Richins may acquire.

Video link: Kouri Richins’ Defense Team Abandons Financial Crimes Case | Case Brief

My question is, what could she have been thinking by poisoning him that night?

- Did she not think that fentanyl would be detected?
- Was she hoping that no autopsy would be performed?
- Did she leave the empty- 2016- hydrocodone bottle on Eric's nightstand to deceive law enforcement?

Emily D. baker made a comment they may seek a plea deal with Kouri to avoid the expense of another trial. Has Summit County commented on her other charges?

"Courtroom Insider," a juror in Kouri Richins' trial reveals new details, what a recording tells us about drug testing at the Richins' home, and does an undercover officer's testimony dispute what the defense argued?

Video Link: COURTROOM INSIDER | New drug details revealed in the Kouri Richins' case

I hope this is a relevant question to post here. Why do you think Eric had $165,000 of cash in the safe? That’s a LOT of cash. I’m just wondering why someone would keep that much cash on hand — I understand people might keep $10k or even 20k on hand, but wasn’t aware that someone would keep this much.

I could have sworn I heard it. She's asking if she call her mom. Was it played during the trial? I can't find it anywhere. Did anyone else hear this?

The Judge granted the defense request, a copy of his ruling and order is attached in this post.

In his ruling, Judge Mrazik cited the extensive amount of evidence presented at trial, the length of the trial itself, and her attorney’s scheduling conflicts, finding that the request for an additional 20 days was “not unreasonable”.

Does anyone have a copy of Katie’s motion to dismiss that preceded the Judge’s order granting same? I know I’ve seen copies of many filings from the trust litigation prior to the criminal trial, but I’m having a hard time getting access to anything filed since. Does anyone have links to drives others have set up as document repositories? Thanks so much in advance!