The Trial: USA

Episode: The ‘Moscow Mule Murder’: Inside the Trial of Kouri Richins
Date: March 4, 2026
Host: Kayla Brantley
Guest: Rachel Sharp, Daily Mail Crime Correspondent

Episode Overview

This episode explores the dramatic trial of Kouri (Corey) Richins, the Utah real estate agent accused of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, with a fentanyl-laced Moscow Mule. The podcast takes listeners inside the Park City courtroom, breaking down key prosecution and defense arguments, witness testimony—including from a pivotal housekeeper—and the emotional atmosphere among witnesses and family members. Award-winning crime reporter Rachel Sharp provides exclusive insights from her front-row seat at the trial.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background of the Case

• Victim: Eric Richins, millionaire stonemason, died in March 2022.
• Defendant: Corey (Kouri) Richins, Eric’s wife and a real estate agent.
• Circumstances: Initially ruled unexplained, but an autopsy revealed Eric had five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in his system ([04:40]).
• Alleged Motive: Prosecutors allege Corey stood to gain from nearly $2 million in life insurance, and had attempted to access Eric’s safe 48 hours after his death.
• Previous Incident: Eric fell violently ill on Valentine’s Day 2022, reportedly after eating a sandwich Corey provided. Prosecutors allege this was the first murder attempt ([04:40]).
• Financial Disputes: The couple argued about Corey’s plan to purchase and flip a $2 million property, a deal Eric did not support. Corey closed on the deal the day before Eric’s death and hosted a celebration that night ([04:40]).

2. The Public and Family in the Courtroom

• High Interest: Approximately 15 spectators line up daily. Eric’s family fills an entire courtroom row; Corey’s mother and a few relatives present ([07:58]).
• Eric’s Family: Have remained mostly composed, though testified early about strange behavior by Corey and financial matters ([15:53]).

3. Corey Richins’s Courtroom Behavior

• Very Engaged: Intently watches witnesses, actively converses with legal team, passes notes.
• Visible Reactions: Became animated and rattled during testimony from friend Alison Wright about feeling “trapped” in her marriage and financial concerns if divorced ([08:43]).

  "She was very much staring down the witness and the defense was objecting... Corey was seen kind of pulling a face." – Rachel Sharp ([08:43])

4. Key Witness: Housekeeper Carmen Lauber

• Star Prosecution Witness: Testified to having supplied Corey with fentanyl used to kill Eric ([10:17]).
• Drug Sourcing Timeline:
  • First sale: late Jan/early Feb 2022—Corey claims it’s for an “investor”.
  • Subsequent sales escalated to more potent fentanyl, referred to as “Michael Jackson stuff”.
  • Fentanyl allegedly used for Valentine’s sandwich attempt and fatal Moscow Mule ([10:17]).
• Post-murder Allegation: After Eric’s death, Lauber asked Corey if pills were used on him—Corey denied it, and they conducted one further drug deal.
• Defense Challenge: Defense attacked her credibility due to criminal record/drug use, and that she received immunity for truthful testimony. Despite this, Rachel describes her as “quite credible”, especially corroborated by cell phone evidence ([12:32]).

  "She showed regret for her involvement… but the cell phone evidence did seem to support what she said." – Rachel Sharp ([12:32])

5. Other Witnesses & Notable Testimony

• Alison Wright (Friend): Testified to Corey feeling “trapped” financially in the marriage (2019 conversation), and alleged that Corey worried about prenup and financial deterioration if she left ([08:43], [16:26]).
• Eric’s Alleged Affair: Defense raised a new allegation of Eric’s possible affair with a woman from work, information not previously public ([16:26]).
• Corey’s Alleged Affair: Corey was reportedly having a long-term affair with a man named Robert Josh Grossman, with “constant streams of messages” and even a separate cell phone dedicated to communication ([19:15]).

6. Evidence and Contradictions

• Digital Trail: Cell phone records support Carmen’s timeline of drug deals ([12:32]).
• Conflicting Accounts: Some contradictions between Carmen’s testimony and statements by drug dealer Robert Crozier.
• No Fentanyl Found in Home: Still, Eric’s autopsy confirmed fatal fentanyl dose ([18:06]).

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:40 | Case overview, background, initial investigation recapped | | 07:58 | Rachel Sharp on courtroom atmosphere and public interest | | 08:43 | Corey Richins’s demeanor and reaction to testimony | | 10:17 | Housekeeper Carmen Lauber's damning testimony | | 12:32 | Defense cross-examination of Lauber, corroboration with evidence | | 15:53 | Testimony from Eric’s family and forensic aspects | | 16:26 | Shocking moments: allegations of affairs, courtroom revelations | | 18:06 | Jury’s key questions moving forward, defense's alternate narrative | | 19:15 | Details of Corey’s affair and marital problems |

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "She told the court she had sold Corey drugs four times... Corey wanted something stronger, and that’s when Carmen enlisted the help of a drug dealer named Robert Crozier. She allegedly told Corey that she could get her some fentanyl pills, and Corey greenlit that purchase."
  — Rachel Sharp ([10:17])

• "During that, she was very much staring down the witness... you could tell she really didn't want to have this person's testimony being heard on the stand."
  — Rachel Sharp on Corey Richins’s reaction ([08:43])

• "She showed regret for her involvement in Eric's death, but there was contradictory statements between her and some of the comments that she'd made in previous interviews... But... the cell phone evidence did seem to support what she said."
  — Rachel Sharp on Carmen Lauber’s credibility ([12:32])

• "One of the other quite shocking moments came...when we heard about an alleged affair that Eric had actually had. Now, that's the first time we've ever heard about this."
  — Rachel Sharp ([16:26])

• "The jury needs to be sure beyond reasonable doubt that it was Corey who bought the drugs and that she did intentionally poison him... The defense has already suggested that he himself may have bought the drugs when he went on a trip to Mexico..."
  — Rachel Sharp ([18:06])

Looking Ahead: What’s Next in the Trial

• Key Issues for the Jury:

  • Whether Corey intentionally purchased and used the fentanyl to kill Eric.
  • Considering the defense’s claim that Eric could have self-administered the drugs.
  • Evaluation of electronic evidence vs. testimony credibility.

• Expected Testimony:

  • Possible appearance of Corey’s mother, Lisa Darden.
  • It remains to be seen if Corey’s alleged lover, Robert Josh Grossman, will testify—reports indicate prosecutors have struggled to locate him ([16:26]).

Conclusion

The episode offers a vivid, insightful tour through one of America’s most sensational recent murder trials. With compelling witness drama, marital secrets, and damning digital evidence, the trial of Kouri Richins is testing the boundaries of reasonable doubt for the Park City jury. Listeners are left anticipating further courtroom twists, including possible testimony from key figures tied to Corey’s motive and alleged affairs.