A day after a Utah jury convicted Kouri Richins on all five felony counts in the fentanyl poisoning death of her husband Eric, the focus has shifted to what comes next — a May sentencing that could determine whether she ever sees the outside of a prison again, a looming appeals process, a separate 26-count financial crimes case, and an ongoing civil battle over Eric's estate.

Prison, Then Sentencing on What Would Have Been Eric's 44th Birthday

Richins, 35, will remain at Summit County Jail until her sentencing hearing on May 13, 2026 — the date that would have marked her late husband's 44th birthday. After sentencing, she will transfer to Utah State Prison for intake processing before being assigned permanent housing, according to former Utah prosecutor and defense attorney Nathan Evershed, who provided legal analysis to NewsNation.

At the hearing, Judge Richard Mrazik will review a probation report and hear from both attorneys and members of Eric Richins' family before making his determination. The central question, Evershed explained, is whether Richins receives life without the possibility of parole or a sentence that leaves open the door to parole decades from now. The aggravated murder conviction alone carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

"There will be multiple people from Mr. Richins' family. I would imagine his father, sister, others would be telling the court what this has meant to them," Evershed told NewsNation. "The only question is, if there's a chance of her possibly having parole some decades from now."

Richins will have an opportunity to address the court herself at sentencing, though Evershed said it is unlikely she will do so.

His bottom line was unambiguous: "At the end of the day, she is going to prison for a very long time."

A Long Road Through Appeals

The guilty verdict does not end Richins' legal fight. Her defense team — attorneys Wendy Lewis, Kathy Nester, and Alex Ramos — maintained in a written statement issued after the verdict that the prosecution "failed to prove its case" and that "the standard in this country is proof beyond a reasonable doubt" had not been met. An appeal is widely expected.

According to Evershed, preparing a credible and thorough appeal can take up to a year as attorneys review and compile trial evidence. Once filed, the Utah Attorney General's Office will respond, and the case will proceed to oral arguments — likely before the Utah Supreme Court or the Utah Court of Appeals — before a final ruling is issued.

One potential appellate argument, Evershed noted, involves venue. The defense had sought to move the trial from Summit County to Salt Lake County, arguing the case had received extensive local publicity. Judge Mrazik denied that request. "I don't know how that will land, or if that's even going to be something that will be remotely even considered," Evershed told NewsNation, adding that the judge appeared to handle the issue carefully.

Why Prosecutors Did Not Seek the Death Penalty

Although Utah permits capital punishment, prosecutors chose not to pursue the death penalty in this case. According to court filings cited by NewsNation, that decision was made in consultation with Eric Richins' father and sisters. Evershed said prosecutors likely weighed the complexities of a case involving marriage, family dynamics, and shared children.

"In a case like this, with all the intricacies of marriage and relationship and home and children and family dynamics, and just the length and time that to put all of that on, there is certainly no guarantee that a jury would be ruling to have a death penalty," he said.

26 Financial Crimes Charges Still Pending

The murder conviction may not be the final legal chapter for Richins. As KPCW confirmed, she still faces 26 felony counts in a separate financial crimes case filed in June 2025. It remains unclear whether prosecutors intend to proceed with that case to trial now that a murder conviction has been secured. A cousin of Eric Richins, speaking outside the courthouse after the verdict, expressed confidence that accountability would extend to those charges as well, saying "justice will prevail with that as well," according to reporting from KJZZ.

The Civil Battle Over Eric's Estate

In addition to the criminal proceedings, Eric Richins' family is pursuing civil claims against Kouri under Utah's "slayer statute," which prohibits a person from inheriting property from someone they killed. The two sides are also litigating property issues in civil court.

Evershed cautioned, however, that the practical value of any civil judgment or criminal restitution order may be limited. "Ms. Richins has no assets," he told NewsNation, noting that prison wages — potentially as low as ten cents an hour — would make meaningful restitution unlikely.

Eric's Family Speaks, Then Steps Back

Outside the Summit County courthouse on Monday evening, Eric Richins' family gathered in the parking lot, visibly emotional after the verdict was announced. His sister Amy gave a statement to the Associated Press: "Honestly I feel like we're all in shock. It's been a long time coming. Just very happy that we got justice for my brother."

The family also released a written statement: "Four years ago, our family lost the brightest light. Eric is deeply loved and missed every single day. We are grateful to everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring justice for Eric. Our focus is now on honoring Eric's life and supporting his boys as we all continue to heal."

Older cousins and younger relatives stood together sharing memories of Eric. "He was my cousin. I miss him every day, think of him every day. Love him," one older cousin told KJZZ. The family said they plan to speak more publicly following the May sentencing.

A Tense Moment in the Courtroom

Selena Armithee, described by KJZZ as the only member of the general public permitted inside the courtroom when the verdict was read — having secured a standby seat — described the atmosphere as overwhelmingly tense. She had become acquainted with Kouri Richins' sister over the course of the three-week trial, which she attended nearly in its entirety.

"She was shaking when I came in; you could see her shoulders visibly shaking before the jury even came in," Armithee said of Richins. Armithee told KJZZ she was personally surprised by how swiftly jurors returned a verdict, and said she did not believe the evidence had risen to the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt — a view that puts her at odds with the eight jurors who deliberated for just under three hours before unanimously convicting Richins on all counts.

What to Watch For Next

The next major milestone in the Kouri Richins case is the May 13 sentencing, where Judge Mrazik will determine whether she faces life without the possibility of parole or retains some chance of eventual release. Eric's family, who have said they will speak more fully after sentencing, is expected to deliver victim impact statements that day. Prosecutors and defense attorneys will also need to signal their intentions regarding the pending 26-count financial crimes case — a question that remains unresolved following the murder conviction.