Episode Details

Three collisions are happening at once in the Kouri Richins case, and they're all converging just as jury selection begins.

First, the venue fight is done. Judge Mrazik denied the defense's second motion to move the trial out of Summit County on February 2nd. The defense said only 72 viable jurors remained from a pool where 85 percent recognized the case. Prosecutors said 830 potential jurors were unfamiliar with it or hadn't followed it. The judge wasn't persuaded by the defense math — for the second time.

Second, Robert Crozier's recantation is hanging over the entire prosecution theory. The man who prosecutors say supplied fentanyl to Kouri's housekeeper Carmen Lauber now says under oath he sold OxyContin, not fentanyl. He says he was detoxing when he first told detectives otherwise. The defense says prosecutors knew about this since April 2025 and never disclosed it. The prosecution says the broader evidence still holds regardless of Crozier's credibility issues.

Third, allegations of witness intimidation are creating new problems. Text messages filed with the court show lead detective Jeff O'Driscoll allegedly threatening a witness with arrest and a "catch pole for the dog" after she declined to be prepped for testimony. A second witness says investigator Travis Hopper warned that their immunity deal could be pulled. The defense calls it blatant intimidation. Prosecutors say it was proper.

All of this lands in a courtroom with a hard March 27th deadline, over a thousand exhibits, and a defense team that says there's no scenario where this trial finishes on time.

Kouri Richins has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

#KouriRichins #EricRichins #TrueCrimeToday #RobertCrozier #JeffODriscoll #WitnessIntimidation #FentanylPoisoning #JurySelection #SummitCountyTrial #WalkTheDogLetter

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This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.