The Kouri Richins Trial (Part 2)

Summary

Court Junkie – The Kouri Richins Trial (Part 2)

PodcastOne | Date: May 26, 2026
Host: Jillian (in partnership with Law & Crime)

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Overview

This episode continues the in-depth coverage of the trial of Kouri Richins, accused of murdering her husband Eric Richins. The host, Jillian, pieces together testimony from court, interviews with those close to the case, and analysis of evidence, delving into the justice system’s handling of this high-profile case. The focus in Part 2 is on testimony regarding the procurement of drugs, financial motives, digital forensics, and the evolving narrative surrounding Eric’s death.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Children’s Book & Anonymous Amazon Delivery (00:22–02:40)

• One year after Eric’s death, investigators received a children’s book, Are You With Me?, anonymously sent via Amazon. The sender was revealed to be Lisa Darden, Eric’s mother-in-law (00:55).
• The book’s message: "There are two sides to every story. This is the true Corey, a devoted wife and adoring mother, thought you should know.”
• Notable moment: Just months after this, Kouri was arrested for Eric’s murder.

2. Housekeeper Carmen Lauber’s Testimony: Drug Purchases (03:11–20:54)

• Carmen, the Richins’ housekeeper, testified Corey asked her to buy illicit pain meds, claiming it was for an “investor.” Carmen complied four times (03:19–04:34).
• She purchased the drugs from sources Susan Kohler and Robert "Robbie" Crozier, paying substantial sums—$600 for opiates; $1,000 for "fentanyl pills," the so-called "Michael Jackson stuff" (04:40–08:34).
• Carmen admitted deleting text messages out of fear for legal repercussions related to drug court (06:07–06:14).
• Under cross-examination, Carmen acknowledged her cooperation with prosecutors might benefit her own criminal case (16:37–17:19).
• She never had direct knowledge that the drugs she procured were intended for Eric, nor did Corey ever explicitly request fentanyl by name (17:24–17:41).
• Carmen conceded she had no idea what truly happened to Eric the night he died: “And you have no knowledge if Ms. Richards killed Eric Richards?”—“I do not.” (20:49–20:54)

3. Street Dealer Robbie Crozier’s Testimony: Drug Details (20:54–26:08)

• Robbie recalled selling pills to Carmen—likely oxycodone (“Roxies”), known as "blues," and clarified the street slang pre-dated the influx of fentanyl (21:59–22:50).
• "Everybody was scared of fentanyl in early 2022." (26:08)
• He consistently claimed he wasn’t selling fentanyl to Carmen at the time and described the pill colors and street context in detail.

4. Testimony from Anna Isabel: Fentanyl Reference (27:14–28:40)

• Anna relayed overheard phone conversations where Corey was heard asking about substances for “a client.” The recipient, Hayden, responded negatively to the mention of fentanyl.

5. Law Enforcement Interactions (29:01–31:03)

• Anna displayed frustration with detective tactics, including a texted threat to bring a warrant and “a catch pole for the dog” (29:20).
• She resented being told she had to prep and be present at court every day, calling the behavior “rude, inconsiderate, not how you should treat somebody…” (29:27)

6. Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen: Toxicology and Death Details (31:03–35:35)

• Dr. Christensen explained the presence of acetylfentanyl (illicitly produced fentanyl, not pharmaceutical) and high levels of quetiapine (antipsychotic) in Eric’s system.
• He clarified postmortem alcohol findings and the meaning of numbers in the report, stating: "Most fentanyl that we see... is related to fentanyl that's manufactured by drug cartels, as opposed to... pharmaceutical companies.” (32:03)

7. Alison Wright: Marital Strain and Motive (35:56–42:09)

• Longtime friend Alison recounted Kouri confiding marriage troubles, mentioning feeling “trapped” due to a prenuptial agreement. Corey feared financial insecurity if she divorced, compared to Eric (36:21).
• The prospect that Eric may have been having an affair was discussed but not confirmed.

8. Digital Forensics: Deleted Evidence & Cell Phone Activity (42:09–48:14)

• Expert Chris Cotradimos testified about extensive deletions on Corey’s and Carmen’s phones—hundreds of messages and call logs missing (43:00).
• Cell tower data confirmed meetups coinciding with alleged drug buys (43:49).
• Notable early morning activity from Corey’s phone the night of Eric’s death—including unlocks and movement in the house, and the 911 call at 3:21 am (44:18–44:30).
• Forensic analysis recovered three meme-like images on Corey’s phone accessed at 8:29 am, roughly after Eric's death was discovered. Images depicted themes of money and riches—a detail left unresolved as to its meaning.

9. Suspicious Internet Searches (48:39–52:14)

• Corey’s phone contained over 25 searches on deleting digital evidence, as well as queries about death certificates, overdoses, police procedures, and life insurance payouts.

10. Financial Motive: Forensic Accountant’s Findings (52:22–57:35)

• Brooke Carrington detailed Corey’s dire financial state prior to Eric’s death:
  • Multiple overdrafts/NSF transactions—December 2021 had 77 totaling $91,000 (55:09).
  • Corey wrote checks to herself totaling $60,000 that bounced, from an account rarely above $29 (55:47).
  • At Eric’s death, Corey owed $7.5 million, with $80,000/month debt payments (57:19).
• Life insurance policies were manipulated multiple times using Eric’s credentials, apparently by Corey (58:13–58:52).

11. Corey’s Best Friend Chelsea Barney: Personal, Financial, and Emotional Responses (59:36–75:21)

• Chelsea, a close friend and client of Corey’s real estate ventures, described an unusual home purchase arrangement where her $45,000 down payment was never papered with the county, ultimately leading to eviction (67:08–69:28).
• She recounted Corey’s extreme emotional reactions after Eric’s death and the family conflict over the house and the will (64:00–64:39).
• Text messages post-mortem show Corey’s anger at Eric’s family accusing her of murder, her explanations about Valentine’s Day, denials of giving Eric a tainted sandwich, and the threat of defamation lawsuits.
• Chelsea described Corey’s insistence that Eric could not have died from COVID or substance abuse, based on his lifestyle and health (74:03–75:06).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the book and the note sent to police:
  "There are two sides to every story. This is the true Corey, a devoted wife and adoring mother, thought you should know." (Narrator, 01:48)
• On deleted evidence:
  "Hundreds of text messages... were also missing most of the web history artifacts in that device, call histories as well, call logs, etc." (Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos, 43:38)
• On the “Michael Jackson stuff”:
  "Did there come a time when she asked you for the Michael Jackson stuff?" — “Yes." (Prosecutor & Witness Carmen Lauber, 08:23-08:29)
• On cooperation benefits:
  "By helping him out, that means you need to give us the details that will ensure that Cory gets convicted. Correct." — "Correct." (Defense Attorney & Carmen Lauber, 17:01-17:06)
• On Corey’s financial state:
  "Does this show that on March of 2022, she owed $7.5 million and was paying approximately $80,000 a month towards that debt?" — "That is what that shows, yes." (Prosecutor & Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington, 57:19-57:32)
• On digital forensics and memes:
  "The first image was of the character Harry from the movie Dumb and Dumber... The second image... Kevin Spacey... 'Idiots, Idiots everywhere'... The third image was Donald Trump with the text I’m really rich." (Narrator/Host, 46:41)
• Chelsea on the aftermath:
  "I just tried Chell so fucking hard to save him. His lifeless body on my bedroom floor. His eyes, his yellow body. Cold. It was so cold. I pumped so damn hard on so hard screaming at him to come back to life." (Corey’s text to Chelsea, 62:31)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• The Book & Note to Investigators: 00:22–02:40
• Housekeeper’s Testimony & Drug Buys: 03:11–20:54
• Street Dealer Testimony: 20:54–26:08
• Fentanyl Inquiry Testimony: 27:14–28:40
• Detective Threats & Witness Prep: 29:01–31:03
• Medical Examiner Testimony: 31:03–35:35
• Marital Motive & Friends’ Testimony: 35:56–42:09
• Digital Forensics Retrospective: 42:09–48:14
• Suspicious Google Searches: 48:39–52:14
• Forensic Accounting & Financial Motive: 52:22–57:35
• Life Insurance Manipulation: 58:13–58:52
• Best Friend’s Home Purchase Testimony: 59:36–69:28
• Text Message Exchanges After Death: 70:08–75:21
• Preview of Next Episode: 75:21–75:53

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Overall Tone & Concluding Thoughts

This episode unpacks the complex interplay of courtroom testimony, digital evidence, and intimate relationships, painting a picture of a case mired in emotion, financial desperation, and shifting stories. The proceedings are marked by tension between the prosecution’s narrative of calculated murder for financial gain and the defense’s efforts to undermine both the credibility of key witnesses and the integrity of investigative procedures.

The episode closes with a tease for Part 3, promising testimony from Corey’s alleged affair partner and the long-awaited verdict.

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This episode is a must-listen for followers of true crime and courtroom drama, offering a granular look at both the facts and the personalities at play in the Kouri Richins trial.

Transcript

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[Narrator/Host]

A year after the death of Eric Richens, investigators received a copy of a book that had just been published.

[Prosecutor]

Towards the end of March 2023, did the summit County Sheriff's office receive an anonymous Amazon delivery of the book?

[Detective]

Yes. Package showed up from Amazon with a

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

copy of the book and also a

[Detective]

little standard sticker that you can leave personalized message on with a gift when you send something.

[Prosecutor]

Did detectives investigate who anonymously sent the book?

[Detective]

Yes. A subpoena was sent to Amazon to request the information on who the sender was and it came back as Lisa Darden.

[Narrator/Host]

Lisa Darden was Eric's mother in law. She's Corey Richen's mom.

[Prosecutor]

Did detectives investigate who wrote the book?

[Detective]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Who wrote the book?

[Defense Attorney]

Objection.

[Judge]

4143 and hearsay.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Overruled.

[Detective]

Go ahead. We found text messages in the. I'm sorry. In Ms. Richen's phone between her and a contact named book writing lane, who is a book writer publisher of some

[Narrator/Host]

type regarding them writing the book for her.

[Prosecutor]

Are they a ghostwriter?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Host]

The title of the book was are you with me? And it was a children's book reportedly written by Corey to help Corey and Eric's three children deal with the loss of their father. Included with a copy of the book that was sent to investigators was a note that read, there are two sides to every story. This is the true Corey, a devoted wife and adoring mother, thought you should know. But just two months later, after a year long investigation, police arrested Corey for the murder of her husband in part one. We went over the initial days of her trial and today we're going to continue. This is Jillian in partnership with law and crime. You are listening to court junkie.

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[Narrator/Host]

Carmen Lauber was the housekeeper for the Richins family. She testified on day four of Corey's trial.

[Prosecutor]

Did Corey Richards ever ask you to purchase for her illicit drugs?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

How many times?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

4.

[Prosecutor]

Did you purchase illicit drugs for her?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

How many times?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Four.

[Prosecutor]

When you purchased illicit drugs for Cory Richards the first time, who did you purchase the drugs from?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Susan Kohler.

[Prosecutor]

When you purchased Corey For Corey Richards drugs the second time, who did you purchase the drugs from?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Robbie.

[Prosecutor]

By Robbie, do you mean Robert Crozier?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

How about the third time?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Robbie.

[Prosecutor]

The fourth time?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Robbie.

[Narrator/Host]

She said the first time Corey asked her, it was in early February 2022, about one month prior to Eric's death. Corey contacted Carmen and asked if Carmen could do her a favor. She asked if Carmen could get some pain meds for an investor that she knew. Carmen told her she would see what she could do. Carmen testified that she knew a woman named Susan Kohler who was an active user. So she reached out to Susan. Susan told her that she did have some pain meds. The prosecutor asked if Corey fronted her the money for the drugs, and Carmen said no. She paid Susan $600.

[Prosecutor]

What drugs did you ask Susan Kohler. What type of drug did you ask Susan Kohler for? On Corey's?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Just some kind of pain pillar, an opiate.

[Detective]

Okay.

[Prosecutor]

Did you. And you gave Susan Kohler $600 of your money?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

What in return did Susan Kohler give you?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

A couple hours later, she returned back to my house with an envelope full of pills.

[Prosecutor]

What type of envelope?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Just a mailing envelope.

[Prosecutor]

A normal letter.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Just a white envelope? Yeah.

[Prosecutor]

Okay. Did you look in the envelope?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

No.

[Prosecutor]

How did you know it was full of pills?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Susan told me that's what's in there.

[Prosecutor]

Did you feel the envelope?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yeah.

[Prosecutor]

Did it feel like there were pills?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yeah, they were just little round pills.

[Narrator/Host]

She said Corey picked them up from her the following morning and paid her the $600.

[Prosecutor]

You mentioned you have this part of this transaction. Corey Richards and Susan caller involved text messages. Do you have any of those text messages?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

No.

[Prosecutor]

Do you know what happened to those text messages?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I deleted them.

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

Why?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Because if I had lost my phone or anybody else got a hold of my phone or anybody in drug court wanted to see my phone. It was evidence that I was not following drug court rules. I was still involved with people that were using.

[Prosecutor]

Was evidence that you're dealing drugs, Right.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Participating in selling drugs.

[Narrator/Host]

She purchased drugs again for Corey. She said Corey had texted her that the investor wanted something Stronger. Carmen told her she would see what she could do. She reached out to another acquaintance, Nicole Cummings, who she knew was still using. She asked Nicole if she knew of anyone who had opiate pills for sale. Nicole referred her to Robert Crosier. Carmen called Robert and he told her he had a buddy who had fentanyl pills. She said she called Corey back and told her that she could get them, but that they were fentanyl pills and they were pricey $1,000. Corey told her to go ahead and that she would put the money in one of the houses that she was flipping. She left the back door unlocked for Carmen. Once Carmen got the money, she called Robert and got the pills. Then she coordinated with Corey to get the pills to her. Corey told her to take the pills to the midway house and to leave them in the shed. She said she instead put them in the fire pit. She felt better about leaving them there. She testified that Corey again approached her for illicit drugs. Later, towards the end of February, when

[Prosecutor]

Corey Richards approached you that second time involving Mr. Crozier, what. What did she ask for?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

She said her investor needed something a little bit stronger. And I proceed to tell her, like it's not something you can just. When you're buying something off the street that's man made, you just don't say, hey, this is what I want to order. She told her, you get what you get.

[Prosecutor]

Did there come a time when she asked you for the Michael Jackson stuff?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Was that this time?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

What did you understand the Michael Jackson stuff to mean?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I actually wasn't sure. I had to Google it.

[Narrator/Host]

This drug deal went the same as the last one. She recalled the price also being a thousand dollars in cash. She said these were the only times she had ever purchased drugs from Robert. She recalled hearing that Eric had passed away a day or two after his death.

[Prosecutor]

Did you ever speak with Corey Richards about Eric's death?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes, I did.

[Prosecutor]

When?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

A couple days after.

[Prosecutor]

Where were you when you spoke with Corey Richards the first time about Eric's death?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I was with my friend Nick, and we were on our way to do a UA for drug court.

[Prosecutor]

Is Nick Nick Bon Savage?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes, it is.

[Prosecutor]

And the ua, again, is a urine house?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes, it is.

[Prosecutor]

So you and Nick were together. Were you on a way. Were you driving to the ua?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

When you had that conversation with Corey Richards about Eric's death, were you on speakerphone?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Could Nick hear the conversation?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Did you ask Corey Richards about Eric's death?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes, I did.

[Prosecutor]

What did you ask?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I said, please tell me These pills were not for him.

[Prosecutor]

Did she respond?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

She did.

[Prosecutor]

How did she respond?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

She said, no, they were not. Eric passed away from a brain aneurysm.

[Narrator/Host]

She was asked if there was ever a time after Eric's death when Corey asked her for pills again. She said yes. She again arranged to buy drugs from Robert for a third time. This time, Corey told her the investor would leave money under the doormat at Corey's house. But when she went to pick up the money, there was nothing there. So she had to ring the doorbell.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

She answered it. She told me to come inside. I told her the money wasn't there. I gave her a hug and asked how she was doing. And then I told her the money wasn't there. And then she asked if she could write me a check. So then she went over near kitchen counter and grabbed that was so big and wrote me a check.

[Narrator/Host]

The check for $1,300 was entered into evidence under the memo section. Corey had written that it was for construction clean at Midway. Carmen said that wasn't true. She said when she got the pills from Robert, she noted the pills were round like before, but were a little darker blue. After that, she never bought any pills from Robert again. Later, Robert did try and sell her more. She said she contacted Corey to see if she needed them. Corey told her no, that her investor had left town on cross. Carmen was asked how many times she had met with prosecutors. She said there was an initial meeting and then a couple times over the last few weeks.

[Defense Attorney]

So when you met with them over the last couple of weeks, was that to go over your testimony?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

Did they practice their testimony with you in those meetings?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

They kind of prepared me for what kind of. I don't know what the word I'm thinking of. They kind of prepared me a little bit of it.

[Defense Attorney]

Did they review your answers with you?

[Detective]

Pause for one second. Ms. Lewis, I apologize for the interruption. Pull the mic a little bit to your left. Yeah, you can move the quieter. So

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

there you go.

[Detective]

Now pull the mic more in front of you. Let's try that. I'm sorry, if you asked me this question one more time.

[Defense Attorney]

Did they review your answers with you?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

All right. So they reviewed with you when the drug buys happened? Correct.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

They would ask me the questions and I would answer.

[Defense Attorney]

Would they correct you if they thought you were. If they thought your answer was wrong?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Not really, no.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

All right.

[Defense Attorney]

Did they practice cross examination with you?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

So they did a. We call it a mock cross. Someone pretended to cross examine you. Is that fair?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yeah. They kind of just brought up how you were going to bring up my past, how it was going to. How I was going to feel.

[Defense Attorney]

Okay. That's all?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

Did they tell you how to answer the questions that I might be asking you?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

No.

[Defense Attorney]

They didn't give you any advice on how to answer the questions?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

No.

[Defense Attorney]

Did they help you put the pieces together so you would remember what to testify to?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Actually, I'm the one that's asked, like, when? If I needed to know. Robby, I put in my phone, obviously it says, Corey, Doreen's niece, Robbie, Nicole's friend. Just stuff like that.

[Defense Attorney]

Wait a minute.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I don't.

[Defense Attorney]

I don't know if I understood your answer to my question. So my question was, did that they helped put the pieces together for you for your testimony? And what was your answer?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I said, I'm the one that asked for pictures and stuff like that.

[Defense Attorney]

So you asked them to help put the pieces together for you?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I don't know if it was actually helping me put the pieces together. Can refresh my memory a little bit. It happened a long time ago.

[Narrator/Host]

She was asked about a meeting with investigators after Eric's death when they told her that Eric had died of a fentanyl overdose.

[Defense Attorney]

And that was the first time you'd

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

heard that true from the officer? Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

Well, from anyone. That he died of an overdose?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

No. One of Dorian's workers were driving down the road was Nancy. She had yelled out the window, she's like, eric died of an overdose. And that's when I had made the phone call to Corey asking if please tell me those weren't for him.

[Defense Attorney]

Okay. You never told the officers that story, did you?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Not until later, I don't think.

[Defense Attorney]

Well, not in these seven interviews.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yeah. Yeah, Correct.

[Prosecutor]

All right.

[Defense Attorney]

In fact, what you tell them is you don't use fentanyl, correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

And you tell them meth, heroin, maybe a few oxys here and there, but I literally never dealt with fentanyl.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

That's true, wasn't it?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

Okay. One reason you didn't deal in fentanyl is you had a daughter who. Who had some problems with fentanyl.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I had a daughter. A couple of daughters.

[Defense Attorney]

You have a daughter. I'm sorry, she's not past tense.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

You still have. Your daughter is doing great.

[Defense Attorney]

Yes. And I'm happy to hear that she had a problem with fentanyl.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

She had a problem with heroin and it turned into fentanyl. Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

Yeah. And did you tell them she. She overdosed? I know she survived, but she overdosed

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

right My daughter has overdosed a couple times.

[Defense Attorney]

So fentanyl scared you?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Absolutely.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

All right.

[Narrator/Host]

She conceded that she told the police that she had been using drugs since she was in sixth grade and that her memory isn't good. She also agreed that she didn't make money on the first deal she did for Corey, that It was just $600 to the dealer and $600 from Corey. The defense introduced the video of Carmen's interview with detectives. One of the detectives tells her that they want to make a deal with her and tells her to give up the details that ensure Corey gets convicted of murder.

[Defense Attorney]

Let me just identify a couple of people here. The first person speaking to you telling you that first she says, I talked to McKay. McKay is prosecutor in Wasatch County Drug Court, right?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

McKay King.

[Witness Alison Wright]

Yes.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

All right. And that in talking to McKay, King, you may be getting seven years in prison on your state case.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

But if you help him out, that's not going to happen.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

And by helping him out, that means you need to give us the details that will ensure that Cory gets convicted. Correct.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

And you are willing to do whatever it takes to save yourself from getting kicked out of drug or going to prison? Correct.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I'm going to go forward with the truth? Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

And you're gonna. You tell them I'll do whatever it takes?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Narrator/Host]

She was asked if Corey ever specifically asked her for fentanyl.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

No.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

No.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct. I mean, yes. Can you answer the question again?

[Defense Attorney]

Corey never asked you for fentanyl?

[Prosecutor]

True.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I had told her that that's what Robbie had, and she said, okay, go ahead and get it.

[Defense Attorney]

Let me ask the question again. Tori never asked you for fentanyl, True?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

All right.

[Defense Attorney]

And you bought prescription oxycontin from Susan Kohler, Correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

You got light green pills from Crozier sometime in February of 2022. Correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

And then you went back and said, give me more of the same.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct. Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

And the last time you went back was after Eric Richards died? Correct.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Not sure.

[Defense Attorney]

Well, the Last purchase was May 9th of 2020. March 9th of 2022. Correct.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

After. And you know Eric died on March 4th.

[Witness Alison Wright]

Correct.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

He passed away.

[Defense Attorney]

I think it was March 4th. But either way, the pills were after he passed away. Correct. All right. And again, a year after the fact, you said, numerous times I bought pills for Mr. Crozier. Twice. Correct?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

Now you're saying three times, four years later, correct.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

Because that's been told to you because of some data you saw, Correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

But you don't Remember that?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

No, I don't know.

[Defense Attorney]

Okay, so after you said you were willing to cooperate and they said you were getting a big jail get out of free card, you got your. Your big jail get out of free card so far, right?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

Because you have not been in jail for the past three years.

[Judge]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

And you haven't had to go to drug court anymore, correct?

[Judge]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

And all you do is wait to see how your testimony goes to find out what happens. Correct?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

You're not being drug tested. Correct.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

Even though you're on probation? Correct.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

And your probation consists of. In the morning, you say hi to Detective Maynard, and he says, lobber.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

We just text back and forth. If I'm leaving town, I tell him I'm leaving town. If I'm here, you know?

[Defense Attorney]

Okay, so you tell him, if you're leaving town, are you still keep tabs?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

He still keeps tabs on me no matter where I'm at. He has my work schedule. He has everything.

[Defense Attorney]

He does have your works?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

And you've been allowed to move to Las Vegas, correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

So because of your cooperation, you got out of going to drug court, correct?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

You got your probation transferred to Summit county with Detective Maynard, correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

You got to stop your drug testing, correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

You got to move to Vegas, correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct. But I'm not living in Vegas. I'm living here.

[Defense Attorney]

You're here right now.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Judge maybe approved me to move to Vegas, but I'm still here in Utah.

[Defense Attorney]

You haven't moved to Vegas yet?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

No.

[Defense Attorney]

Okay. You've been allowed to go to Vegas numerous times to visit, though, right?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

All right. And you haven't done any time for any of the crimes that you committed, correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct. I was incarcerated. I stayed in jail for 23 days.

[Defense Attorney]

Well, 23 days when you were arrested in April of 2023. And it was during that time period you were in jail because you were getting your story together with Detectives Maynard and Detective Odress Corner?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

Okay.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

And

[Defense Attorney]

the pills that you bought from Mr. Kojer, you don't know what those pills were? Correct.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

He had told me that he had fentanyl.

[Defense Attorney]

You didn't look at the pills, correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

No. I didn't sit there and play with them?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

No.

[Defense Attorney]

You didn't know what they were, correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

You didn't have them tested?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

No.

[Defense Attorney]

Okay. You didn't take any, you said.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

No, correct? Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

You didn't. You did or you did not sell them to anyone else?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I did not sell them to anyone else.

[Defense Attorney]

Okay. You know what happened to those pills, Correct.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I don't know who picked them up. But that's what you're asking, right?

[Defense Attorney]

You don't know who took those pills? Correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

And you have sitting here today absolutely no information about what happened to Eric Richens other than that. What you were told that he died of a phenyl overdose.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Correct.

[Defense Attorney]

And you have no idea what happened the night that Eric Richards died?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I do not.

[Defense Attorney]

And you have no knowledge if Ms. Richards killed Eric Richards?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

I do not.

[Narrator/Host]

Robert Crozier also took the stand in Corey's trial. He's the street drug dealer from whom Carmen testified she had purchased the pills.

[Prosecutor]

Do you recall whether they asked you if Carmen asked for blues specifically or fentanyl specifically?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

I have read, like, the. I've read the report. So, like, I. I know that they did, but I don't remember them saying that to me.

[Defense Attorney]

Okay.

[Prosecutor]

And by report, do you mean a transcript of their interview?

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

Yeah.

[Prosecutor]

So you know from reading a transcript of their interview that they asked you whether Carmen asked for blues or fentanyl on one hand or oxys on the other hand?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Do you recall how you responded to that question?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Not right off hand. I think I said something to the extent of that. I thought they were. I didn't know if they were fentanyl or Roxy's, but whatever she asked for is what she got.

[Narrator/Host]

He testified that he didn't sell fentanyl. In early 2022, she asked probably for

[Witness Robert Crozier]

blues, but at that time, roxies were blues. It wasn't like. It was like the slang on the street was, you know, people bought roxies, they were buying blues. It was before, you know, this influx of fentanyl. And it also said that. So M30s. Yeah, that's what the. That's what the. The Roxies were stamped with, was M30s. That's a manufacturer's standpoint. It's not just a fentanyl thing.

[Prosecutor]

Do you recall investigators then clarifying that very thing with you and asking. It wasn't like she was asking for oxys and got M30s.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Right.

[Prosecutor]

Do you remember the investigators asking you for that clarification?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Well, oxy implies that they would have been oxycontin to me, but M30s would be fentanyl or not fentanyl, but roxies.

[Prosecutor]

Do you recall the investigators asking you. It wasn't like she was asking for oxys and got M30s. Do you recall them asking you that?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

I have read it, but I don't recall them asking me that.

[Prosecutor]

No, but you. You know that they asked you that from having read the transcript. Right, Your honor.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Ask an answer.

[Defense Attorney]

You said you don't recall.

[Detective]

That is true. And if you would answer that question, please.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

I'm sorry. Can you repeat the question?

[Prosecutor]

Do you know that investigators asked you. It wasn't like she was asking for oxys and got M. 30s?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Yes. What.

[Prosecutor]

Do you recall your answer to that question?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

I do not.

[Prosecutor]

Sir, do you recall whether the police asked you if Carmen Lauber knew there was fentanyl in the pills that you sold her?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Again, as said, that's a yes or no question.

[Prosecutor]

Do you recall?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

I don't recall. I really don't recall the conversation with the police at all, other than I had the conversation with him. I don't remember details of it other than what I've read.

[Prosecutor]

Do you agree in the interview generally that you confirmed that you sold pills containing fentanyl to Carmen Lauber?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

No, I said that when I read. I said that she knew what she was. She bought, she got what she wanted. Whatever she asked me for is what she. Pretty sure it was Roxy's.

[Narrator/Host]

But on cross, he said he believed he sold to Carmen once, maybe two times. He said every deal was the same.

[Defense Attorney]

So can you remember what you were charging per pill for 30 milligram oxycodones?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Like, either 25 or $30 a piece.

[Defense Attorney]

25 or $30 per pill. You weren't selling fentanyl at that time. But when you did sell fentanyl, what did that sell?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

For? About the same.

[Defense Attorney]

You sold fentanyl for about the same. Are you aware that there was a time that fentanyl was sold for considerably less than OxyContin?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

Like. And would that have been earlier, when fentanyl first started in the market, or that. Would that just depend on who was selling it?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

It just depends on who was selling it, where you got it from. If you know a Honda, that'll give them to you for 80 cents, then. Yeah, but.

[Defense Attorney]

All right, that's fair. So do you recall. Let me back up. So you said that when you sold her, the time that you clearly remember, the first time she was sitting in the car. Was anybody with Ms. Laver?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

I don't remember.

[Defense Attorney]

You don't remember there being anyone, or you just don't know?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

I just don't know. Like, if there was some or if she was by herself? I don't. I don't know.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

Okay.

[Defense Attorney]

And then do you recall saying that there was a time you sold to her when a man came with her?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Yes, I do.

[Defense Attorney]

So that would have been the second time that we talked about earlier, Correct.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Not sure. It could have been the first time, but I probably. Yeah, that was twice. Why not?

[Defense Attorney]

Okay. All right. So. If Ms. Carmen Lauber testified to that you told her, these are fentanyl pills, I'm selling you fentanyl pills, would that be true?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

I mean, if I said it to her, then it would be true, but I don't know that I said that to her.

[Defense Attorney]

Were you selling her fentanyl pills?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

I don't believe so, no.

[Narrator/Host]

Corey's attorney asked him why he remembers that he was selling oxycodone and not fentanyl in 2022.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Because everybody was scared of fentanyl in early 2022. And in 21, you know, they all over the news and people were dying and everybody was. It was kind of hard to get and it was. People were scared of getting it. And like I testified, I had people that had prescriptions. I had my own prescription and we sold those.

[Defense Attorney]

When you said you had prescription and you knew people had prescriptions, are you talking about oxycodone?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Yes.

[Narrator/Host]

He said when he did start selling fentanyl in late 2022, they were almost purple, very distinctive, not blue or green. He was asked if anyone had ever asked him for the Michael Jackson stuff. He said no. Corey's friend, Anna Isabel, knew Corey from high school. She was also in a long time relationship with a man named Hayden Jeffs, who worked as a handyman for the Richens. Hayden passed away in 2024. On January 22, 2022, about a month and a half prior to Eric's death. She was with Hayden when he received a phone call from Corey.

[Prosecutor]

Did you overhear that call on speakerphone?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

What? On that phone call, if anything, did you hear Corey Richards ask Hayden?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Jess, I'm for something for a client. I don't remember what.

[Narrator/Host]

It started with the trp.

[Witness Alison Wright]

We didn't know what it was. I went to the bathroom and when I came back, the I don't know who brought it up or how it got around to that. Hayden was just saying, fuck that client. Fentanyl.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

What?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Fuck that.

[Narrator/Host]

That.

[Detective]

Hayden statements. Mr. Bloodworth, would you pause for one second?

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

Mrs.

[Prosecutor]

Built my apologies effect on Corey Richards.

[Detective]

Yeah. So, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Jeff's side of this conversation as related by Ms. Isbell, that's an out of court statement that you cannot consider for its truth. The only reason you can consider it is for context for whatever Ms. Richards may have said in response after hearing it. Please proceed.

[Prosecutor]

Thank you, Sir.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Okay.

[Prosecutor]

After Mr. Jeff said that, how did Ms. Richins respond?

[Narrator/Host]

She said, okay, thank you.

[Witness Alison Wright]

That's all.

[Prosecutor]

Was there a second call, then?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

No.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Okay.

[Prosecutor]

Did you hear any other of the discussions between Ms. Richins and Mr. Jess?

[Witness Alison Wright]

No.

[Narrator/Host]

On cross text messages between herself and Detective o' Driscoll were displayed for the jury. One read, so make your life easier and answer our calls so we can prep you on what you will be asked. Otherwise, the next time I knock on your door, I'll have a warrant and a catch poll for the dog.

[Defense Attorney]

First of all, what was your reaction when he showed you when he sent you these text messages?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Oh, I was livid.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

I was very upset.

[Witness Alison Wright]

I thought it was rude, inconsiderate, not how you should treat somebody that did nothing wrong. Okay.

[Defense Attorney]

And you were asking if he would give you an exact date to show up to court instead of telling you to be here every day, correct?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yeah.

[Defense Attorney]

And he said, well, no, you'd be here every day. Correct.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Mm.

[Defense Attorney]

And that's because you didn't want to come in and be prepped, correct?

[Witness Alison Wright]

I didn't want to speak to them at all.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

All right.

[Defense Attorney]

But you never refused to come in and testify because you were legally obligated to do so. Is that fair?

[Witness Alison Wright]

I never refused.

[Defense Attorney]

All right. Now, he said that next time I knock on your door, I'll be there with a warrant and a pole for the dog. So he threatened to arrest you if he had to come back to try and talk to you? Yes. And he said the next time he'd been to your home before?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Yeah.

[Defense Attorney]

Did your dog attempt to attack o' Driscoll when he was at your home before?

[Witness Alison Wright]

No.

[Defense Attorney]

Is your dog a vicious dog?

[Witness Alison Wright]

He's a big dog. He's very protective, especially after Hayden's passed. He's behind a fence that you aren't supposed to open unless someone, somebody that knows him, is there.

[Defense Attorney]

Did he attempt to bite Detective o'? Driscoll?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Absolutely not.

[Defense Attorney]

Did he touch Detective o'? Driscoll?

[Witness Alison Wright]

I don't think he's ever seen my dog. Maybe through the fence.

[Defense Attorney]

Through the fence? So you didn't sic your dog on Detective o'?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Driscoll? Never.

[Narrator/Host]

Doctor Eric Christensen is the chief medical examiner who oversaw Dr. Ulmer's work. As you'll recall from part one, Dr. Ulmer was the one who performed Eric Richen's autopsy. Dr. Christensen said he was involved in the decision to certify Eric's death as undetermined. After Dr. Ulmer retired in January 2023, he received a call from Corey Richins, who wanted to ask him some questions. About Eric's toxicology report. The nine minute call was played for the jury. In this clip, Corey asks what the fentanyl found in Eric's system was.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Third one, the acetyl.

[Defense Attorney]

I don't know how you say that.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

Acetylfentanil? Yeah, that's just a. It's a form of. It's a variant of fentanyl that is usually only present in the setting of illicitly manufactured fentanyl.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Manufactured? Like a pharmacy?

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

No, no, no. Like, so far, like a lot of most fentanyl that we see that, you know, ends up people leading people to die these days is related to, you know, fentanyl that's manufactured by drug cartels as opposed to by pharmaceutical companies.

[Judge]

Oh, good lord.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

So this is like more of like a cartel. I mean, that's not what it is.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

You call this the street street fentanyl as opposed to, you know, prescription.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Okay, I see. And then is this. So is the ethanol. Is that alcohol?

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

That's alcohol.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Okay. And is that like the 279? Is that kind of like a substantial amount, or is that like one drink? Is that five drinks?

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

Well, it. You can't tell how much it is. And in this case, you know, since this testing was sent, you know, quite a long time after the original autopsy, most likely that's related to, you know, postmortem change. But it could be stuff that he drank. There's not really a way to sort that out. It could be related to decomposition of the stomach content, or it could be related to stuff he drank. But either way, you know, in the stomach content, there's no way to know what that level means in terms of. I mean, if that was a blood level, that would be the same as a 0.28, you know, which would be. That person would be pretty substantially intoxicated. But because it's gastric content, I mean, you know, you could, in theory, pull something out, and it would be, you know, 100% ethanol, you know, depending on if they just drank a stomach full of. If they just drank a bunch of Everclear or something else. So it doesn't really. It doesn't really tell you much about how much they drank or what they drank or anything like that. And it's not present in his blood, so.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

I gotcha. Okay, so it's not present in the blood, just the gastric or whatever.

[Defense Attorney]

Right.

[Judge]

Okay.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

And then just the last one. What is quetiapine? Quetiapine.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

Quetiapine is an antipsychotic medication. It's called Seroquel Okay. It's a prescription mental health medication that's prescribed for different things.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

I got you. Okay. And it has, like, 16,000.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

16,000 nanograms per milliliter.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Okay. And is that. I mean, quite a bit?

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

I mean, that's a big number, but it doesn't really mean that much. An anagram is a millionth of a gram, and a gram is not very big. So even 16,000 of them is not a huge amount.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Okay. Is there, like. Could those have been mixed or is that not kind of a.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

What's that? Could what be mixed?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Would Quetiapine and, like, the fentanyl or. I mean, is that, like, drug a normal, I guess, drug thing?

[Judge]

I don't know.

[Defense Attorney]

Like, it's not.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

I mean, you know what? Most of the time, if we see those together, it's because somebody was taking quetiapine as a prescribed medication and they were abusing Fentanyl. But there's, you know. Do you have any indication he was abusing fentanyl?

[Judge]

No, that's.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

All of this is just like, what the heck is this? And going on? So I guess that's why I'm confused just about all of this, honestly.

[Judge]

So I'm.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yeah, I don't know.

[Narrator/Host]

Alison Wright knew Eric Richins for years. She first met him in junior high. He was a friend of her sisters. Eric was also business partners with her husband. She told the court about a conversation she had with Corey in February 2019 during a trip she and her husband went on with Corey and Eric.

[Witness Alison Wright]

Corey and I were finally in a position where our husbands were no longer with us. We were just discussing life. We both have kids, our marriages, and Corey opened up and shared that

[Judge]

things

[Witness Alison Wright]

were difficult at home.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

She.

[Witness Alison Wright]

A word I remember is that she felt trapped. At this time, I learned that their marriage had a prenuptial agreement. And she explained that she felt like she was frustrated in the relationship, but also it would be difficult to leave. Eric would end up financially secure and her the opposite. She feared what would happen in divorce. She mentioned that maybe the kids would prefer him with the lifestyle that they had four wheelers and toys and opportunities where she would have less. She feared how she would be represented by him in the community. I felt. I felt for her, it was a hard conversation. I knew that things had been hard since their youngest child was born, and I was tender towards her current circumstance.

[Judge]

Thank you. And did that conversation give you any context to what was happening in terms

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

of Corey's business at that time?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Yeah, Corey is super ambitious. She went back to School and got a master's degree. I was impressed. I had young kids. I wasn't sure I could do that. She then went and got a real estate license and was trying to build that business. That conversation kept playing. Playing in my mind as I think this is a way to become financially independent and secure.

[Narrator/Host]

On cross. She was asked about Eric having an affair.

[Witness Alison Wright]

Not that I. No,

[Judge]

think hard.

[Narrator/Host]

She was upset.

[Witness Alison Wright]

But I understood from the conversation is things were frustrating at home and that's

[Judge]

because she believed he was having an affair with a co worker. Is that right?

[Defense Attorney]

Overruled.

[Judge]

Is that right?

[Witness Alison Wright]

She and I never discussed her thinking about an affair.

[Judge]

Is that the context of the conversation you were having that day? That she believed he was having an affair with a co worker and that's why she was upset with her marriage and talking about divorce?

[Witness Alison Wright]

I don't recall that.

[Judge]

Were you aware of it at that time? That there was an affair going on between Eric and a co worker?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

I.

[Witness Alison Wright]

I don't recall that conversation versus when I found out.

[Judge]

When did you find out?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Or wait, I'm sorry, will you repeat that question?

[Judge]

When did you find out that Eric was having an affair with a woman that worked with him?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

These are facts not in evidence.

[Judge]

Facts not in evidence.

[Detective]

Foundation. You gotta lay foundation for this. I'm not sure this witness knows anything about it. Why don't you ask?

[Judge]

You just testified that when you found out, you weren't sure if it was during this conversation. So when did you find out?

[Detective]

That's not accurate. You have to ask it open ended.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Okay.

[Judge]

When did you find out? Was it anytime near this conversation?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Will you repeat that question with more detail?

[Judge]

When did you find out that Eric was supposedly having an affair with another woman in context to this conversation? Before, after, During.

[Witness Alison Wright]

I'm having a difficult time understanding because. Help me understand Affair. Because like I think there was a friendship with a lady, but I don't know. So I don't know exactly what was going on.

[Judge]

Understood. That's fair. So let me rephrase it. Did you become aware that Eric had intimate feelings towards a woman that he was working with?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Your honor assumes facts, not an evidence

[Detective]

argument in the question asking whether this person ever became aware of it?

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Overruled.

[Detective]

Gets a yes or no question is right.

[Prosecutor]

Could we start there?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Can you repeat the question?

[Judge]

Did you become aware that Eric at around this time, 2019, had intimate feelings towards a woman that another woman that he worked with that was causing problems in their marriage?

[Witness Alison Wright]

I don't remember when I became aware of it.

[Judge]

Ballpark.

[Witness Alison Wright]

I'm sorry. I think I'd heard of it like twice and I don't remember. I'm sorry, I don't remember.

[Judge]

When you were having this conversation with Corey, did you know at that time?

[Witness Alison Wright]

I don't believe I did.

[Narrator/Host]

Chris Cotrademos is a digital forensic analyst who owns a company called M20 Solutions. He said he analyzed Eric's phone for any mentions of illicit drug use. He said outside thc, he didn't find anything. He also reviewed the download from Corey's phone.

[Judge]

Did that download contain text messages, call

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

logs, web searches, things like that?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

Yes.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

In addition to that, were you also able to view what we were calling

[Judge]

activity data or device sensor data for that phone?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

Yes.

[Judge]

When you did the analysis for that white iPhone, was there evidence of deletions?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

Yes.

[Judge]

Is there evidence of text message deletions?

[Detective]

Yes.

[Judge]

Evidence of colog deletions?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

Yes.

[Judge]

Describe what time frame you were able to recognize those deletions happening.

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

The time frame essentially for that device is pre mid March. So specifically, as it relates to some of the other items I looked at related to this case, we're looking basically January 1st through middle of March 2022.

[Judge]

What was missing from that phone for January 2022, February 2022 and March 2022?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

Hundreds of text messages. At least. There's. There were also missing most of the web history artifacts in that device, call

[Narrator/Host]

histories as well, call logs, etc. There were also mass deletions on Carmen Lauber, Corey's house cleaner's phone too, including all of the content of her text messages with Corey, of which there were hundreds. These were deleted from Corey's phone. Also, a cell tower map was displayed for the jury for Corey's and Carmen's phones, along with a timeline of their messages and calls. From February 11, 2022, Carmen's phone lined up with the three meetups with Robert Crozier, the street drug dealer that she testified about. The three dates were February 11, February 26 and March 9. As for Eric's phone, the night of his death, his phone activities ended at 8:50pm after a phone call he had with his friend Scott. There was a 9:45pm Google search he made about how far it is from Scottsdale to Nogales, and then an incoming text at 1018 from his contact named Raul. But according to Cotradimos, there was no indication it was opened. As for Corey's phone, that night, Corey's phone was unlocked at 3:06am At 3:08, it walked 243ft. At 3:10, 3:15. And twice at 3:19, it was unlocked again. At 3:21, 911 was called. The prosecutor showed him images they retrieved from Corey's phone from later that morning on March 4th. Do you recognize this?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

I do.

[Narrator/Host]

What is it?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

These are three thumbnails, PNG files recovered from Ms. Richen's device.

[Narrator/Host]

He said the images were in the image files in Corey's phone and that at some point they came from a text message, although he couldn't say if they were from incoming texts or outgoing, since the source of the images had been deleted from her phone.

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

These three PNG files are what we call ghost or orphaned images. When an image is like when a text is built and you add images to it, or when you receive images and you click those, it creates a print of it, like basically a thumbnail of it. Now, if you send that text or receive that text, and then you delete it from your system, and then the database overwrites it. Because if time has passed and there's no more room in that file, you'll never know the source of that text, whether it was incoming or outgoing, who sent it, that type of thing. All you're going to see is the remnant of that. And that's what these are, the small PNG files.

[Narrator/Host]

The first image was of the character Harry from the movie Dumb and Dumber. Harry is dressed in a robe on a bed, rubbing his eyes with money. The second image is of the actor Kevin Spacey from the TV show House of Cards with the text Idiots, Idiots everywhere. And the third image was of Donald Trump with the text I'm really rich.

[Judge]

And you described that they were found in the image files as a remnant of possibly a text message, right?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

I wouldn't say a remnant. It's a thumbnail. I mean, it's a PNG file. I mean, it's a thumbnail.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Yes.

[Judge]

From the data that you analyzed, were you able to tell if these images were accessed by Ms. Richen's phone?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

They were accessed by her. The system in her phone?

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Yes.

[Judge]

How do you know that?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

It gives an access indication in the file path in the data and the extraction. It'll say when the device was accessible, accessed, and it will give a timestamp.

[Judge]

When we say accessed, what does that mean?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

It just means when the file or when that image was either selected or viewed. Or that means accessed.

[Judge]

But it means it was selected or viewed by the person with that device.

[Prosecutor]

Correct.

[Judge]

You mentioned there was a time stamp. Stamp. When were these images accessed on Corey Richardson's phone?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

8:29am on March 4.

[Narrator/Host]

He said prior to that, at 8:28am her phone was unlocked and her phone was turned to landscape view and then turned back to portrait view. Then it was locked again.

[Judge]

So those, the turning of the phone, the unlocking of the phone, those correlate with the time that these images were accessed.

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

Around the same time?

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

Yeah.

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

During the same unlock event.

[Narrator/Host]

Cochrademos also testified about Google searches conducted on Corey's phone in the days, weeks and months after Eric's death. They include multiple searches about deleting things from a phone, such as can you delete everything on an iCloud account? Can you delete everything off an old iPhone without actually having it? Can you delete a text message you retrieve? Can you change the password remotely of a lost cell phone? Can deleted text messages be retrieved from an iPhone? Can you change the password remotely of a lost iPhone? Log into iCloud account? What do cops do when they seize electronics? Can you delete everything off an icloud account? Ultimately, There were over 25 searches regarding deleting things off of a phone or if a location can be traced on a phone, things like that. Other searches were about investigations such as can cops force you to do a lie detector test? What happens if you're detained but never got red Miranda rights? What is white collar crime? Why would the FBI be involved? Others included searches about drug overdoses and medical examiners. Like, if someone is poisoned, what does it go down in the death certificate as? What is presump positive for naloxone? Is naloxone similar to heroin? What is presump positive? Can you overdose on naltrexone? What prescription is used to stop alcoholics? What is considered non natural manner of death? Who determines cause of death on death certificate? Can the cause of death be changed on a death certificate? What is a lethal dose of fentanyl? Can a manner of death be changed on a death certificate? What happens if you give Narcan to someone who doesn't need it? Other searches were about the corporate court system and prisons like women, Utah prison, Summit County District Attorney, Summit County District Court. What are you allowed inside Utah jails? Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California. Luxury prisons for the rich in America. And other searches were about life insurance policies and payouts, like can a mutual policy on life insurance cause of death? Will life insurance pay? If death certificate says pending? Death certificate says pending. Will life insurance still pay? How long does life insurance companies take to pay? On cross, Corey's attorney, Alex Ramos pointed out that there were 39 images from Corey's phone on March 4th. Regarding some of those web searches, Ramos asked, are you familiar with a certain

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

real housewife in Salt Lake city recently in April 2022? Oh, no.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

Okay.

[Prosecutor]

Are you aware of somebody maybe being sentenced around that time?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

No.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

Okay.

[Prosecutor]

And now that would provide context to you, correct?

[Narrator/Host]

I could, yeah. Because right now, just as we see the searches, we don't know why that would be a search, correct?

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

I don't know content or can't speculate on anything.

[Prosecutor]

You can't speculate? No.

[Narrator/Host]

You shouldn't speculate?

[Prosecutor]

No.

[Narrator/Host]

Brooke Carrington is a forensic accountant who testified about the Richens finances. She said Corey was a licensed realtor who was in the business of buying and selling real estate for the purpose of fixing and flipping houses. She told the jury that K. Richins Realty LLC, Corey's company was registered in April 2019. Eric Richards was initially listed as member number one. But four days later it was changed to Corey Richens, which is how it remained. Eric's name was removed.

[Prosecutor]

When analyzing Corey Richens business and personal accounts, what first struck you?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

Well, I usually take a first pass and just to try and absorb things. And when I got to October of 2021, there are many, many transactions that didn't clear the bank either. They didn't clear the bank without a fee. Some of them were overdrafted and, and paid by the bank. And some were just returned non sufficient funds. Most of us know that as nsf. And the account was perpetually in the hole. Even though there was money coming in, it was going out at a very exhaustive pace. And then.

[Prosecutor]

Let me stop you there. We'll unpack this bit by bit.

[Narrator/Host]

Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth displayed a document she had put together.

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

What I did is just count up the number of transactions in a particular month and you can see that for most of the year 2021, you know, it's minimal de minimis, not really that big of a deal, relatively speaking. And then in October through the end of March, there are this drastic increase in funds that did not clear the bank or transactions that didn't clear the bank without a fee. And then if you go over to the amount column that represents the amount, I just added up the transactions, the value of each transaction in each of those months. So like in November and December, those are separate buckets of transactions that she tried to pay without a fee and that didn't happen. So $91,000 each of those months.

[Prosecutor]

So let me just pick an example. December. Does this show that in December she had 77 overdraft or non sufficient fund transactions totaling $91,000?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

That's what that says.

[Judge]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

That cost $2,000 in fees?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

And that trend, that upward trend began in. In October and continued through March?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

That is correct.

[Narrator/Host]

She was asked what Corey used the money for, and she said a lot of it was for debt payments, but that she also tried to pay herself.

[Prosecutor]

So does this show that Corey Richards wrote approximately $60,000 in checks to herself beginning in August of 2021 through May of 2022 that bounced?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

That's correct.

[Prosecutor]

And she wrote them from a checking account that had a balance of either negative. Sorry. That had a balance that ranged between negative $51 and $29.

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

That's right.

[Narrator/Host]

She said Corey continued to incur more and more debt as. As the months went on.

[Prosecutor]

Ma', Am, do you recognize that?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

I do.

[Prosecutor]

Did you prepare it?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

I did.

[Prosecutor]

What material did you review to prepare it?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

So this was a combination of the bank account statements, the loan documents for the accounts receivable, payday loans, the credit card accounts, her lines of credit at different banks, and the home equity line of credit.

[Prosecutor]

Your Honor, the state moves to admit 5, 113 Delta.

[Narrator/Host]

No objection.

[Prosecutor]

Ma', am, what does this depict?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

So, in that same time period as before, starting in January of 2021 through March of 2022, the total debt she owed on real properties, the credit accounts, the credit cards and her lines of credit, and the account receivable loans, the payday loans that we've talked about.

[Prosecutor]

Does this show that on March of 2022, she owed $7.5 million and was paying approximately $80,000 a month towards that debt?

[Forensic Accountant Brooke Carrington]

That is what that shows, yes.

[Narrator/Host]

Carrington told the jury that when Eric died, Corey was in financial distress, was going to continue to get worse, and that her business was imploding. Lashonda Rogers is a life insurance agent. On June 2, 2022, she received a call from another agent who wanted her to look into some beneficiary changes. Rogers noted that there was a beneficiary change on a policy belonging to Cody Wright, the business partner of Eric Richins. It was part of a buy sell agreement between the two. So I found out that on January

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

1, 2022, the beneficiary was changed from

[Narrator/Host]

Corey to Eric, back to Corey, and then Eric again.

[Detective]

Okay.

[Narrator/Host]

Within a few minutes of each other.

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

Okay.

[Narrator/Host]

All on that same day? All on that same day.

[Digital Forensic Analyst Chris Cotradimos]

I see.

[Prosecutor]

And were you able to, at that moment provide some of the details of how that transaction occurred?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Yes.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

What was it?

[Narrator/Host]

So after Speaking with the representatives in

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

our IT department, they provided, they stated

[Narrator/Host]

that all from Eric Richards login, all

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

from the same IP address.

[Narrator/Host]

She said it appeared as though Corey Richards was the one who did it since it was her email being used on the account. Another life insurance agent, Ann Coates with CMFG Life Insurance Co. Also testified she told the court that Corey had called numerous times in June 2022 after Eric's death asking about payments from policies. At that time, a $250,000 claim had been paid, but others were on hold. Chelsea Barney testified that she's been best friends with Corey richards for about 20 years and that they talked all the time and saw each other frequently.

[Prosecutor]

Are you familiar with the fact that the defendant obtained a $250,000 home equity line of credit on the home that she lived in?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

When did you learn of that?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

We were on a vacation to Sun Valley and she had told me about it.

[Prosecutor]

Was that vacation in October of 2020?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

What, if anything did the defendant say about that?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

She had said that Eric was mad at her and had turned off her credit cards because he found out. She took a loan out on the house and asked if we had, if we could pay for the trip and she would reimburse us when she could.

[Prosecutor]

Did Corey Richards say what she was did with that $250,000?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

She used it to buy a house to flip and sell.

[Prosecutor]

Ma', am, did Cory Richards ever tell you whether she had paid back that home equity line of credit?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

What did she say?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

I don't really recall. Just that the house she flipped made my money. I mean, I didn't really ask much about how much she made or didn't make. And she said she paid him back.

[Narrator/Host]

Her text messages with Corey were shown to the jury where Corey talks about how mad Eric was at her for that. Chelsea was asked if she knew Corey or Eric to use drugs or take pain pills and she said no. She said on the morning of Eric's death she got a call from Corey's mom and so she went over to Corey and Eric's house. Corey told her the same thing she had told the police. That she went into her son's bedroom and when she came back, Eric was cold.

[Prosecutor]

Were you present in November of 2022 when Corey Richards had a phone call with her attorneys about the night of Eric Richards death?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

I don't recall.

[Prosecutor]

Were you present for a phone call that Corey had in November 22nd where she said that Eric was on the phone with people in Mexico about hunting when she Went into Ashton's bedroom?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes, I was.

[Prosecutor]

Is that what she said?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

And is that about the right time period? November of 2022.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

I honestly couldn't. Can't remember the month. But I remember that being there in that conversation.

[Narrator/Host]

On March 15, 2022, 11 days after Eric's death, Corey texted her. I just tried Chell so fucking hard to save him. His lifeless body on my bedroom floor. His eyes, his yellow body. Cold. It was so cold. I pumped so damn hard on so hard screaming at him to come back to life. That I needed him. He was gone, Chels. Just fucking gone. He never even gave me a sign he needed help. I would have woken up. I could have helped him. This is so yo.

[Prosecutor]

Ma', Am, were you present at the Richards residence two days after Eric's death, March the sixth or on March the sixth, sixth, 2022?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes, I was.

[Prosecutor]

And did there come a time when Corey Richmond was very upset and you went to console her?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Why was she upset?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

She got in an argument with her sister in law.

[Prosecutor]

And what was the argument over?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

She was trying to get into Eric Richen's safe to get the will out.

[Prosecutor]

And did the argument also involve the home?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

What portion of the argument involved the home?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

The sister in law had told Corey that the house was no longer hers and it belonged to the other sister because she was in charge of everything.

[Prosecutor]

How did Corey Richards react to learning that?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

She was very upset.

[Prosecutor]

How upset?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Crying. I mean, pretty upset? Yeah.

[Prosecutor]

Did she collapse?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yeah.

[Prosecutor]

Was she hysterical?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yeah.

[Prosecutor]

Did she say why she was so upset?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

She just said she couldn't believe this was all happening.

[Prosecutor]

Did she seem surprised to you that the house was no longer under her control?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Narrator/Host]

Chelsea testified that she purchased a house from Corey and that she lived there with her husband and four kids.

[Prosecutor]

Ma', am, when you say you bought it from Corey, what do you mean?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

We were in a situation of needing a place to live and Corey was buying this house to flip it and sell it. And she offered to sell it to me.

[Prosecutor]

Did you accept that offer?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

What was the arrangement?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Just.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

It went back and forth for a year on what would work out. And it came down to I would sign the deed of the house and the house was mine and I paid a down payment and I could do what I wanted because I had the deed to the house. But the loan would be under her name, but I would pay the mortgage payments myself.

[Prosecutor]

So let's start with the down payment. What was your understanding of the down payment?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Just.

She told me it was to pay the brokers back that she borrowed money from to get the house.

[Prosecutor]

And how much money was the down payment?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

45,000.

[Prosecutor]

What man were you doing for a living at that time?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

I was a manager up at Soldier Hollow Grill.

[Prosecutor]

And did you work in part for tips?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

And did you have savings from your tip money to pay the $45,000 down payment?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Did that amount to essentially your life savings at that point?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Did you wire $45,000 to Corey Richards in two separate wires?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

And you understood that to be a down payment on the house that you were living in?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Did you understand that Corey was going to put that money towards a mortgage that was closing soon after you wired the money?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

As far as you knew at the time, did she put the $45,000 towards the mortgage?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

What was then your arrangement with her on paying rent or paying the mortgage or money?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

The loan was just in her name and I paid the mortgage company directly myself.

[Prosecutor]

Do you remember about what you paid them every month?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

2900.

[Narrator/Host]

She said when she signed the warranty deed, she understood the house was hers.

[Prosecutor]

Did you understand that that document, upon signing it, that needed to be recorded with Wasatch County?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Was that document ever recorded with Wasatch County?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

No.

[Prosecutor]

That was signed, I think, on January 6 6, 2023. From that point forward, did you continue to live in the home, pay the mortgage and have the understanding that it was your home?

[Witness Alison Wright]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Did there come a point when that understanding changed?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Prosecutor]

When was that?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

When she got arrested. I was informed that there was a loan taken out on my house that I didn't know about or I didn't take it out on her.

[Defense Attorney]

Hearsay.

[Detective]

The question was, did there come a time when she became aware of a certain condition? She's explaining how she became aware of the condition. Doesn't matter if it's true, just matters that she heard it. So this explanation for what she heard can be considered only for an explanation of the effect it had upon her, not for the truth of the matter asserted. Go from there, Mr. Bloodworth.

[Prosecutor]

So did. Did there come a time when your understanding changed?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes. I emailed the lady I signed the papers with and asked for copies of the paper and she told me it was never filed with the county.

[Prosecutor]

Did you continue to live in the house?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

I did.

[Prosecutor]

Did that change?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes.

[Defense Attorney]

When?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

September 24th, I believe I was evicted.

[Prosecutor]

You were evicted in September 24th?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Mm.

[Prosecutor]

Why were you evicted?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

The new owners kicked me out.

[Prosecutor]

Were there new owners because mortgage was foreclosed on?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

No.

[Prosecutor]

Why were There new owners.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

I don't know how it all works, but she gave the deed over to someone else and they owned the house.

[Prosecutor]

Was it a deed in lieu of foreclosure?

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes. Yes.

[Prosecutor]

Who's the she when you just said that?

[Defense Attorney]

Corey.

[Narrator/Host]

The jury was shown more text messages between Corey and Chelsea. Chelsea said it was after Corey found out why her house had been searched by investigators. Oh, my God. I got the document. Corey wrote, it's Katie and Amy referencing Eric's sisters. They told the detective, basically, I've been trying to kill Eric for years and Eric was divorcing me. Chelsea, too, expressed her disbelief and asked Corey to send the document to her. Corey wrote, I just sent it to you. And they said we were arguing about buying the Midway House because he didn't want to sign papers on it. That house had nothing to do with him, they said, I didn't even try cpr. Oh, my God. Wtf? Chelsea again expressed her disbelief and called it shocking. This is all so full of and lies. Corey wrote, no, they are saying we were arguing about us buying the Midway House the day Eric died. So I had something to do with this. Corey told Chelsea that Eric had nothing to do with the Midway House and that they never fought about it. They are so stupid and have no idea about anything. She wrote. Chelsea said how she doesn't understand why Corey would kill Eric over the Midway House and how that doesn't make any sense since they were just having a toast to the signing of the Midway House. I would completely cut ties with that family now. Chelsea wrote, they are all up. Corey then wrote, and Valentine's Day. Are they serious? Oh, my God. Chelsea asked what they said about Valentine's Day, saying she hadn't read the document yet. Corey told her to read it and then they could talk. After Chelsea read it, the two continued to talk. And Chelsea asked what they think she could have put in Eric's sandwich. Corey wrote, I didn't even make him a sandwich. Those fucking idiots. It was Valentine's Day and Eric and I were both working from home that day and I ordered lunch from Mirror Lake Diner. He never broke out in hives or used an EpiPen. I was with him. Bailey was there too. He said the sandwich hurt his stomach so he was going to nap. No hives, no EpiPen. They are such liars. And then he woke up and went to work. The two continued to go back and forth. Then Corey wrote, I am suing them for defamation and lying to the cops. Every bit of that is a lie. Every Bit of it. They are not getting away with this. I sent it to Jean. I told him I was done with the girls. They are never allowed my kids again. And if he needs to respect that and said, because they are liars, he hasn't gotten back to me yet. He will, but I'm done. On March 19, 2022, two weeks after Eric's death, Chelsea said she was part of a phone call between Corey and Bryce Knudson, Eric's best friend. Corey sobbed as she talked to Bryce about how she needs her house and how Eric didn't set it up for her to have the house in the event of his death. Bryce told her he feels bad for her and wishes that the Richens girls wouldn't be doing this to her. Corey told Bryce that the medical examiner told her that Eric may have died from COVID And Corey said that made her angry because there's no way he died from that.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

There's no way. There's no way.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

See, the people who have died of COVID had symptoms before.

[Witness Carmen Lauber]

Yes.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

They were overweight. They were in the hospital icu. Like, he did not die of COVID Ladies reminis. Jesus. In the middle of the night.

[Narrator/Host]

In the middle of the night.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Like, I would have heard him get up, have a hard time breathing. Bryce, when I found him, he was in the exact same position as he was when he fell asleep, when I rolled over, when I got in bed with him at 3:00am like, he was in the same position as he was when I went to bed with him. Like, no, no, that. No, I don't buy it. Like, keep testing. That's not it. And if she puts him down as fucking Covid, I will. Jesus Christ, I will flip.

[Defense Attorney]

Fucking shit.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

There. It's not Covid. No. And so I was like, nope, I'll call you back in two weeks when you have some more results back. Because that's not it. I was like, that guy was in better shape than anybody you could ever imagine.

He didn't drink like we did.

He didn't drink? No, he didn't drink. He didn't smoke. I was like, literally. I trained for a half marathon for six months. He woke up that morning and decided he was going to run a half marathon and. And still beat me by 40 minutes.

[Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Christensen]

Fucking hazy.

[Witness Chelsea Barney]

Yes. It was so annoying. I was fucking pissed. But he still did it. Like, he. No, he had better lungs than anybody you would ever. No, it's not his lungs. I don't buy it. I don't buy it.

[Narrator/Host]

And that's all for this episode next time the conclusion of this trial featuring the man with whom Corey was having an affair she asked me go go

[Witness Robert Crozier]

ahead I'll let you ask I know

[Prosecutor]

you true did she ask you a question about killing she did asked me if I if yeah what's her what's her did she ask she asked if

[Witness Robert Crozier]

I had ever killed anybody and we'll

[Narrator/Host]

get to the verdict and what comes next thanks again for listening I until

[Prosecutor]

next time at first I didn't think it was real. I woke up to this blinding light and I was transported to another place. Pluto tv.

[Narrator/Host]

Then I heard a voice.

[Detective]

Come with me if you want to live.

[Prosecutor]

There were thousands of movies and shows

[Defense Attorney]

and they were all free.

[Judge]

Truth is that it's just so Beautiful

[Prosecutor]

on Pluto TV Free streaming of Terminator

[Witness Robert Crozier]

2, Fringe Arrow, the 100 and the

[Prosecutor]

X Files may cause excitement, loss of sleep and sudden belief in extraterrestrials.

[Witness Robert Crozier]

No credit cards or alien encounters necessary.

[Prosecutor]

Pluto TV stream now pay never.