Summit County prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against Kouri Richins; the Kamas mother of three who is accused of poisoning her husband, Eric, and writing a children’s book about his death.
A case filing made by the Summit County Attorney’s Office on Friday notified the Third District Court prosecutors of the decision. Kouri now faces a noncapital first degree felony aggravated murder charge, which carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison if she’s convicted.
“This decision was made in careful consultation with Eric Richins’ father and his two sisters,” the document stated. Richins’ siblings are serving as his personal and victim representatives in court.
Prosecutors allege Kouri intentionally drugged Eric using fentanyl pills, and she is also facing three second-degree felonies for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Eric died last March after ingesting five times the lethal dose of the drug.
Kouri will be held without bail throughout the duration of the trail.
Court filings made by the Richins family state Kouri “had a financial motive to murder Eric.” Kouri is involved in a civil suit with the Richins family in addition to the criminal case. She is slated to appear for a scheduling conference on Sept. 1.
Utah has not carried out an execution since 2010. There are seven inmates on death row, according to the state department of corrections. They are all men.