Third District Judge Richard Mrazik disqualified himself from ruling on a petition by Kouri Richins for a new trial, citing a potential conflict of interest and allegations of judicial bias. The decision, made July 1, follows a June 30 motion by Richins' defense team seeking to vacate her conviction for the aggravated murder of her husband, Eric Richins.
Defense Claims Trial Irregularities
The disqualification comes as Richins, a Kamas mother of three, seeks to overturn a verdict reached in March 2024. A jury found her guilty of aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder in the 2022 death of Eric Richins, a death authorities attributed to a fentanyl overdose. The jury also convicted her of insurance fraud and forgery.
In a 14-page motion submitted June 30, Richins' attorneys—Wendy Lewis, Kathryn Nester, and Alexander Ramos—claimed there were irregularities in the trial proceedings and cumulative error. The defense argued that the court's actions created an appearance of bias against Richins and in favor of prosecutors. Specifically, court papers stated that allowing the state to rely heavily on Richins' financial crimes created substantial undue prejudice, denying her a fair trial.
Judge Mrazik, who previously sentenced Richins to life in prison without the possibility of parole, stated that the allegations of bias presented a conflict of interest. "Given the apparent objective bias discussed, the actual conflict of interest created by allegations of the court’s bias, and the need to ensure due process, disqualification from ruling on this motion is warranted," Mrazik wrote in a case filing.
Legal and Financial Consequences
The legal challenge draws parallels to high-profile cases in other jurisdictions. The defense pointed to the reversal of Richard Murdaugh’s South Carolina murder conviction as justification for their request. In that case, the South Carolina Supreme Court found that allowing prosecutors to use evidence related to financial crimes before focusing on the murder was prejudicial.
While Richins' legal team fights for a new trial, she continues to face significant legal jeopardy. Prosecutors filed charges for 26 felonies against her last June, representing the full scope of her alleged financial misdeeds. It remains unclear if prosecutors intend to pursue that separate case.
Furthermore, the financial implications of the case continue to mount. Summit County has requested that Richins repay $1.4 million in legal defense costs and $1.4 million in life insurance she collected following her husband's death. A hearing to determine the exact amount of repayment is scheduled for July 31.
Supreme Court Review of Trial Logistics
The Richins case has been marked by intense public and media scrutiny since the 2022 incident. In a 2025 Utah Supreme Court opinion, the court addressed prior disputes regarding the trial's logistics. The court affirmed the decisions of both the Presiding Judge and the Trial Judge, which had denied requests for in-person jury selection and an expanded jury venire.
The Supreme Court held that the Presiding Judge, Laura Scott, did not abuse her discretion in denying in-person jury selection, noting that intense media attention did not constitute extraordinary circumstances under the Third District's standing order. The court also ruled that the Trial Judge correctly interpreted Utah law by denying the request to expand the jury pool to include prospective jurors from both Summit and Salt Lake counties, concluding that jurors must be selected from a single county.
Sentencing and Family Impact
The sentencing hearing held on May 13, 2026, was described by the Summit County Attorney's Office as a somber occasion. During the proceedings, which fell on the 44th birthday of the late Eric Richins, Kouri Richins maintained her innocence, stating she would not be blamed for something she did not do.
"I will appeal and fight these charges no matter how long it takes," Richins told the court, addressing her three sons. The defense team had previously requested a sentence of 25 years to life with the possibility of parole, citing the potential for the children to change their minds in the future. However, Judge Mrazik sentenced her to life in prison without parole, describing her as "simply too dangerous to ever be free."
Impact on Families
The emotional toll of the case has been felt deeply by the families involved. During the sentencing, counselors read statements from the Richins children expressing concerns about being contacted or potentially harmed by their mother.
Eric Richins' sister, Amy Richins, expressed gratitude for law enforcement and legal professionals during the hearing. "Today, we invite everyone to remember Eric and his generous spirit by performing a kind act for a stranger," she said. Meanwhile, supporters of Kouri Richins, such as Greg Hall, expressed disagreement with the guilty verdict, stating that the wheels of appeal would continue to turn.
Next Legal Steps
With Judge Mrazik disqualified, the presiding judge for the district will now review the recusal request and make the final decision on whether he will be allowed to rule on the motion. The outcome of this decision will determine whether Kouri Richins will face a new trial for the crimes that led to her life sentence.
