Overview
- Carmen Lauber told jurors she bought pain pills for Kouri Richins in early 2022, later sought stronger drugs after requests for the so-called “Michael Jackson stuff,” and said $1,000 was left for another purchase.
- A state toxicologist acknowledged Eric Richins could have ingested fentanyl before having a drink, a point the defense says undercuts the claim that a Moscow mule was laced.
- Crime-scene technician Chelsea Gipson described multiple evidence-collection visits and items recovered, and prosecutors asked that tweezers and four phones be provided to jurors for deliberations.
- Prosecutors highlighted messages they say show a desire for a new life with a boyfriend, cited early-morning phone activity before the 911 call, and pointed to internet searches and money-themed memes accessed the day of the death.
- The defense argues Eric Richins died from an accidental overdose, played Kouri Richins’ 911 call, and questioned evidence handling, noting no drug paraphernalia was found and a hydrocodone bottle was not tested for fentanyl.