Murderous Moscow Mule Mom's Lover Breaks Down in Court | Crime Alert 6AM 03.06.26

Summary

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Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Murderous Moscow Mule Mom's Lover Breaks Down in Court | Crime Alert 6AM

Date: March 6, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace (with reporter Sydney Sumner)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

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Overview

This episode centers on the emotional testimony given in the ongoing murder trial of Utah children's grief author Kouri Richins, accused of poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, in March 2022. The podcast also covers two shocking election stories involving criminal suspects running for office and a missing person case out of Texas.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Kouri Richins Murder Trial

Background:

• Kouri Richins, a children's book author, is on trial for allegedly murdering her husband with a fatal dose of fentanyl hidden in a Moscow Mule cocktail.
• Prosecutors allege she was motivated by a desire to start a new life with her lover and to inherit her husband's $4 million estate.

Testimony of Robert Grossman (Handyman Lover):
[00:38 - 03:07]

• Robert Grossman (43), an Iraq war veteran, broke down on the stand relaying the intimate details of his relationship with Richins.
• Notable text message:
  • Richins: "If I was divorced right now and asked you to marry me tomorrow, you would?"
  • Grossman: "Yes, in love with Y O U. Of course I would."
• Grossman became emotional and wiped away tears as these texts, dreaming of a future together, were shown in court.
• Other texts included discussing buying a mansion together and living as a blended family.
  • Richins: "Life would be perfect if my husband could just go away and you could just be here."
• Grossman recounted, post Eric’s death, Richins questioned him whether he had killed anyone in Iraq and what it felt like:
  • "She asked me if I ever killed anyone [in Iraq] and how it made me feel."
• Grossman maintained he had no suspicion of Richins being involved in Eric Richins’ death at that time.

Prosecutors' Argument:

• Richins planned her husband's murder for personal and financial gain, including failed previous attempts (allegedly spiking his Valentine’s Day sandwich with fentanyl).
• Published a children’s book about grief shortly after Eric’s death, claiming it was to help children like her sons.

Defense’s Response:

• Assert that Eric’s death was an accidental overdose.
• Criticize prosecution for allegedly poor evidence-handling (failure to properly test the drink container).
• Richins pleads not guilty; the trial continues.

Notable Quote:

• Sydney Sumner (Reporter, 01:40):
  • "As the texts were displayed in court, Grossman became emotional and wiped away tears during his testimony."

2. Crime and Elections

A. California: Convicted Sex Offender Runs for Office
[04:39 - 06:15]

• Renee Campos, a registered sex offender convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material, is seeking a seat on the Fresno City Council.
• Campos controversially held a press conference across from a school—violating proximity laws for sex offenders.
• Legislative response: Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria introduced a bill to ban registered sex offenders from running for office.
• Campos described his press event as a symbol of "rehabilitation and forgiveness," dismissing the legislative response as "institutional overreach."

B. Arkansas: Accused Murderer Wins Sheriff Primary

• Aaron Spencer, charged with second degree murder after shooting Michael Fosler (who allegedly kidnapped and raped his daughter), won the Republican nomination for Lanokee County Sheriff with 53% of the vote.
• Fosler had prior arrests and protective orders related to the victim.
• Spencer cannot serve as sheriff if convicted; his trial has been delayed but is expected to begin in late April or June.

3. Missing Person Case: Nicole "Nicky" Winder (Texas)

[06:15 - 08:26]

• Nicole Winder, 53, has been missing since February 25th.
• Her truck was found torched off FM 974.
• Police request the public checks their cameras from 3:00-4:15pm that day for possible clues.
• Winder is described as 5'7", 130lbs, green eyes, blonde hair, last seen wearing a dark gray shirt and pink pants.
• "Anyone with information should contact Brazos County Sheriff's Office at 979-361-4900."

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Notable Quotes & Moments

On Kouri Richins' state of mind:

• Sydney Sumner (00:38):
  • "Prosecutors say the messages reveal the pair discussing a future together."

On Emotional Testimony:

• Sydney Sumner (01:40):
  • "Grossman became emotional and wiped away tears during his testimony."

On the prosecution's motive theory:

• Sydney Sumner (02:12):
  • "Prosecutors argue Richins planned the killing in hopes of starting a new life with her lover...and believe she would inherit her husband's estate, valued at more than $4 million."

On alleged mishandling of evidence:

• Sydney Sumner (02:39):
  • "Investigators did not thoroughly test the drink's cup for evidence."

On Campos' justification for holding a press conference near a school:

• Sydney Sumner (04:58):
  • "Campos described the move as institutional overreach. He went on to explain he chose to hold Friday’s press conference outside a church as it’s a symbol for rehabilitation and forgiveness."

On the Arkansas sheriff race:

• Sydney Sumner (06:05):
  • "Despite being charged with...murder, Spencer won the Republican nomination for Lanokee County Sheriff, winning 53% of the vote."

On the missing person case plea:

• Sydney Sumner (07:18):
  • "Law enforcement are encouraging residents near the 1900 block of FM974 to check security and game cameras for footage on Feb 25 between 3pm and 4:15pm."

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Timestamps for Critical Segments

• [00:38 - 03:07] Kouri Richins Lover Testifies in Emotional Court Session
• [04:39 - 06:15] California Sex Offender Campaigns for Office
• [06:15 - 07:35] Arkansas Murder Suspect Wins Sheriff Primary
• [07:35 - 08:26] Nicole "Nicky" Winder Missing Person Appeal

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Summary Table

| Segment | Start | End | Description | |-------------------------------------------------------------|--------|--------|------------------------------------------------| | Kouri Richins Trial & Lover’s Testimony | 00:38 | 03:07 | Testimony details, prosecution & defense cases | | California/Arkansas Crime & Election News | 04:39 | 07:35 | Shocking candidacies, legislative responses | | Texas Missing Person: Nicole "Nicky" Winder | 07:35 | 08:26 | Police search and appeal details |

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Final Thoughts

This episode reveals the complex web of personal relationships and motives at play in high-profile criminal cases, and exposes how the justice system contends with public perception, especially when charged figures seek office. The emotional testimony of Robert Grossman—the "Moscow Mule Mom's" alleged lover—casts new light on the case, while the show’s succinct updates on election and missing person stories highlight the ever-evolving landscape of American crime and justice.

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Transcript

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[Crime Alert Reporter]

crime Alert Hourly UPDATE Breaking crime news now.

[Sydney Sumner]

I'm Sydney Sumner. A dramatic moment unfolded in the murder trial of Utah children's grief author Corey Richence as her alleged handyman lover broke down in court while testifying. Robert Grossman, 43, an Iraq war veteran, took the stand Wednesday and described a series of intimate text messages exchanged with Richins just weeks before her husband's death death in 2022, according to testimony. Less than a month before her husband, Eric Richins, died, Corey Richins sent Grossman a message asking if I was divorced right now and asked you to marry me tomorrow, you would. Grossman replied yes, in love with Y O U. Of course I would. Prosecutors say the messages reveal the pair discussing a future together. In another text shown to jurors, Richins allegedly wrote that life would be perfect if her husband could just go away and you could just be here. Richens muses about purchasing a mansion with Grossman, living in the guest house and renting out the main house as an event center. Richens suggests they hang out every day on a little farm and raise her children. As the texts were displayed in court, Grossman became emotional and wiped away tears during his testimony. Grossman also described a troubling conversation he had with Richins just days after her husband died. He told jurors she asked him if he had ever killed anyone, referring to his military service in Iraq, and questioned him about how it made him feel. Grossman said at the time he had no suspicion that Richins might have been involved in her husband's death. Prosecutors allege Richins killed Eric Richins in March 2022 by slipping four times the lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow Mule cocktail she prepared for him. Additional charges accuse her of a previous attempt to kill Eric by spiking his sandwich with fentanyl. A month earlier, on Valentine's Day after his death, Richens went on to self publish a children's book about coping with grief, saying it was meant to help her sons and other children deal with the loss of a parent. Prosecutors argue Richens planned the killing in hopes of starting a new life with her lover and believe she would inherit her husband's estate, valued at more than $4 million. Her defense team, however, maintains that Eric Richins died from an accidental overdose. They say it's unclear how Eric ingested the drug and that investigators did not thoroughly test the drink's cup fore evidence. Corey Richins has pleaded not guilty and the trial continues. More crime and justice news after this.

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The nation is carefully watching local election races in California and Arkansas as a convicted sex offender and alleged murderer run for public office. In California, a registered sex offender running for city council held a press conference near an elementary school last week. Renee Campos, 41, who has sought the Fresno City Council's District 7 seat, has a 2018 conviction for possessing child sex materials. On Friday, Campos held a press conference outside St. John's Catholic Church, which is across the street from Big Picture Academy School Officials say they are exploring their legal options as Campos proximity to the school absolutely violated the law. Campos pleaded guilty in 2021 to the child pornography charges and was sentenced to two years probation. While Campos has not formally filed to run for City Council, Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria of Merced introduced a bill on Tuesday to prevent registered sex offenders from run or holding local or state office. Meanwhile, Campos described the move as institutional overreach. He went on to explain that he chose to hold Friday's press conference outside of a church as it's a symbol for rehabilitation and forgiveness. Campos has until the end of the day to formally file to have his name on June's ballot. In Arkansas, a man accused of killing another man who allegedly kidnapped and raped his 14 year old daughter in 2024 won a primary election for county sheriff. Aaron Spencer reportedly shot Michael Fosler, 67, after discovering him in a car with his daughter. Despite being charged with Fossler's second degree murder, Spencer won the Republican nomination for Lanokee County Sheriff, winning 53% of the vote. The girl's mother said on Facebook that there was an active protective order against Fossler as he was accused of stalking and raping her daughter months before the October 2024 shooting. Further, Lanokee County Police confirmed Fossler's July 2024 arrest for Internet stalking of a child and sexual assault. The victim's mother said they were unaware their daughter was back in contact with Fossler, who was free on bond. Spencer's trial was expected to begin in January, but it was delayed after the State Supreme Court removed the presiding judge. The State Supreme Court also dismissed that judge's order, which limited the public's access to the trial. The Spencer cannot serve as sheriff if convicted of murder. A hearing to reschedule his trial is scheduled for this month. Lanokee County Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Graham says Spencer's trial will begin in late April or late June. The Brazos County Sheriff's Office in Texas released an image of a truck belonging to Nicole Nicky Winder, a 53 year old who has not been seen since February 25th. According to the Sheriff's Office, police located the 2025 white Chevrolet on an oil pad site off FM 974 north of Highway 21 on Wednesday. It had been torched, police said. Winder was last seen at around 3pm last Wednesday, leaving her place of employment in Bryant. Law enforcement are encouraging residents near the 1900 block of FM974 to check security and game cameras for footage on Feb. 25 between 3pm and 4:15pm On Monday, police expanded their search to include the surrounding areas. Meanwhile, the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a statewide clear alert for Winder after loved ones said they were concerned for her safety. Winder is described as 5ft 7 inches tall and about 130 pounds, with green eyes and blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a dark gray shirt and pink pants. Police ask anyone with information to contact their local law enforcement or the Brazos County Sheriff's office at 979-361-4900. For the latest crime and justice breaking news. Be sure to follow the Crime Alert hourly update on your favorite podcast app with this crime alert.

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