Kouri Richins was scheduled to appear in court all day on Wednesday, but the decision to determine whether there’s enough evidence to go to trial will now be delayed until June.

The Summit County Attorney’s Office was prepared to present its evidence this week, but defense attorney Skye Lazaro made several eleventh-hour objections as the preliminary hearing was scheduled to start.

Prosecutors on April 8 filed a 16-page document to pre-admit several exhibits showing probable cause, including 911 and body cam transcripts, a coroner’s report, financial records and text messages. Kouri’s defense team, led by Lazaro, did not file an opposition within the required two-week window. 

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Court documents indicate Summit County prosecutors attempted to meet with the defense to confer about the motion when a response was not received. However, they did not receive any reply. 

Third District Court Judge Richard Mrazik held a motion hearing on Monday. Again, the defense did not object, and Mrazik admitted 18 pieces of evidence. Lazaro then informed the court she would issue an objection to dozens of other exhibits by the end of the day. 

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The document, moving to exclude several exhibits and witness statements, was not filed until 6:27 p.m. on Tuesday. The next morning, Lazaro objected to everything being admitted.

Mrazik acknowledged the court may have created some ambiguity in what evidence and witnesses were to be presented. The hearing was delayed about 30 minutes while both sides worked through the evidentiary issues that started earlier in the week.

After another 15 minutes, the judge agreed to postpone the preliminary hearing until June 18 with the possibility of extending to the 19th and 20th. Mrazik also ordered the prosecution and defense to confer by the end of the week to review any potential objections to the exhibits. 

Chief Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth recognized the state has the burden of showing the judge there’s enough evidence to go forward to trial. He said the preliminary hearing could now take three days instead of one or two. 

The County Attorney’s Office submitted a 42-page bench brief early this week outlining evidence ranging from financial distress before Eric’s death, premeditation through purchasing drugs and planning a future with a paramour, internet searches and insurance fraud.

County Attorney Margaret Olson affirmed prosecutors are “ready to go.”

Lazaro, despite the objections, said the defense was prepared to move forward on Wednesday. She noted Kouri has been held in the Summit County Jail for more than a year.

The 34-year-old Kamas mother of three was originally charged with four felonies in May 2023 stemming from her 39-year-old husband’s death. Now, she faces 11 felonies including aggravated murder, attempted homicide, fraud and forgery. 

The County Attorney’s Office alleges Kouri purchased fentanyl and administered a lethal dose to Eric Richins using a Moscow Mule in March 2022. Prosecutors believe she felt trapped in the marriage and had a financial motive to kill her husband.

Kouri and her family have asserted her innocence. Lazaro has accused prosecutors of unprofessional conduct and raised questions about her client’s right to a fair trial.

Kouri is being held without bail for the duration of her trial. She faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted. The case is not up for capital punishment.

Greg Skordas, the spokesperson for the Richins family, could not be reached for a statement.