Kouri Richins’ court proceedings could be delayed by a few months after a Summit County judge agreed to let her defense attorneys withdraw from her case.

Third District Court Judge Richard Mrazik granted the motion filed by Salt Lake City-based law firm Ray Quinney & Nebeker during a closed hearing on Monday. Skye Lazaro had been leading the defense. She filed to withdraw on Friday, citing “an irreconcilable and nonwaivable situation.”

The court document states the conflict first arose in the civil cases in which the law firm represented Kouri, but it now extends to the criminal proceedings. The matter emerged after the hearing on May 15, after which Kouri and her attorneys met privately.

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The Kamas mother of three charged with her husband, Eric Richins’ murder as well as several other felonies, will now have to find a new lawyer, defend herself, or have a public defender appointed. 

Mrazik made his ruling behind closed doors because the defense argued there was “privileged and confidential information” discussed that could affect Kouri’s right to a fair trial.

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Greg Skordas, a spokesperson for the Richins family, said it was discouraging that the defense only recently discovered the conflict, as the case has been ongoing for more than a year. Scheduling a preliminary hearing took months, and Skordas said the family was surprised when the hearing was continued at the last minute, as it had been planned since March.

He doubted a new law firm could become familiar with the intricate details of Kouri’s case before the preliminary hearing, which was moved to June 18 through 20. As of Tuesday, new counsel hadn’t been named. Skordas estimated it could take the next group four to six months before they’re ready to appear in court. Their defense strategy also “remains to be seen.” 

Lazaro filed a motion to disqualify the prosecution before she asked to withdraw from the case. The defense attorney called out the county’s chief prosecutor, Brad Bloodworth, for “severe violations that compromise the integrity of adversarial fairness.”

She claimed prosecutors have been listening to jail calls between Kouri and one of her attorneys. Bloodworth responded via email that the lawyer seemed to consent to the recordings by not downloading an app that shields attorney-client calls, according to court documents. 

The filings state a Summit County Jail sergeant argued with defense counsel about whether information could be passed between attorney and client. Lazaro accused Sheriff’s Office employees and Bloodworth of “intimidation and interrogation.”

Lazaro said the Summit County Attorney’s Office’s involvement could complicate the case and violate Kouri’s rights.

“In the present case, the prejudice is clear,” the filing stated. “Such intrusion undermines the trust and candidness essential for effective legal representation and prejudices the defendant’s ability to mount a defense.”

Lazaro also filed to remove the “Walk the Dog” letter from the public court docket. She argued it was obtained illegally. Lazaro wants to keep the letter from being used in further evidentiary issues, which was cited as a primary reason for the delay in the preliminary hearing.

Mrazik denied a no-contact order filed by prosecutors in November that referenced the letter, and he later ruled that Kouri could keep a 33-page manuscript also found in her jail cell private. Now the defense wants the “Walk the Dog” letter to have the same determination.

The state will respond to the motion to disqualify prosecution when new counsel is appointed. 

“The contemporaneous written and digital record … will establish that at all times the Summit County Attorney’s Office has acted professionally and ethically. Assertions to the contrary are false and actionable under Utah law,” Summit County Attorney Margaret Olson said.

Mrazik set a status hearing for 12 p.m. on Friday.

Kouri faces 11 felony counts related to the death of her husband. She’s charged with aggravated murder, attempted criminal homicide, distribution of a controlled substance forgery, mortgage fraud and false insurance claims. 

Eric died of a fentanyl overdose in early March 2022. Prosecutors allege Kouri poisoned him with a Moscow Mule laced with the fentanyl and that she attempted to do it a month earlier with a drug-laced sandwich on Valentine’s Day. The County Attorney’s Office says Kouri felt trapped in her marriage and had a financial motive to kill her husband.

Kouri and her family have maintained her innocence. 

She’s been held in the Summit County Jail without bail since her arrest in May 2023. Skordas said the Richins family and the couple’s three young boys are doing well. They remain hopeful in the justice system and are dedicated to seeing the case through.Kouri faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted. The case is not up for capital punishment.