Witness Returns to Court in Kouri Richins Murder Case

Chelsea Gipson, a crime‑scene tech, returned to the witness stand to recount evidence collected at Kouri Richins’ home.
The judge’s schedule forced an hour‑long pause, after which the session extended to accommodate her testimony. Jurors were excused afterward, and Gipson was told she would testify again on Thursday.

Evidence Collection

• Visits: Eight trips to the residence, photographing and scanning items.
• Key Dates:
• Morning of Eric Richins’ death
• One month later
• After Kouri’s arrest on May 8, 2023

Items Highlighted

• Prescription bottles
• Phones (four total)
• THC edibles
• A pair of tweezers found in a woman’s jacket pocket (purpose still unclear)

Prosecutors plan to present these items, especially the phones and tweezers, to jurors at the start of deliberations.

Defense Interrogation

On Wednesday, defense attorney Kathy Nester probed Gipson’s evidence‑handling routine:

• Why a bedsheet from Eric’s bedroom was seized
• How Gipson accessed Kouri’s 911 call, where she claimed her husband was “not breaking and cold”

Background on Kouri Richins

• Resident: Kamas, real‑estate agent
• Author: Wrote a book on grief
• Charges: Aggravated murder, attempted murder, and other felonies
• Allegations:
• Killed husband on March 4, 2022 via lethal fentanyl dose
• Later poisoned his food on February 14, 2022