The trial of Kouri Richins has been temporarily paused as her defense team seeks an interlocutory appeal following the court’s denial of their motion to move the trial from Summit County to Salt Lake County.
Richins faces felony murder and homicide charges for allegedly poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, in 2022. Her legal team had argued that extensive media coverage of the case could bias potential jurors in Summit County, compromising her right to a fair trial.
Defense and Prosecution Use Surveys to Assess Media Impact on Juror Bias
To support their request for a venue change, both the prosecution and defense presented “case awareness” surveys aimed at gauging potential jury bias stemming from media exposure. Each party commissioned their own survey in Summit and Salt Lake counties. These surveys sought to determine whether residents had prior knowledge of the case that might influence their ability to serve impartially as jurors.
Kouri Richins Trial Halted as Defense Appeals Venue Decision Over Juror Bias Concerns
The defense supplemented their motion with an affidavit from Dr. Bryan Edelman, a jury expert known for his work in other high-profile cases, including that of Bryan Kohberger. Edelman testified that his survey revealed a clear link between prior media exposure and potential juror bias.
He emphasized that individuals with greater familiarity with the case were statistically more likely to hold biased views, a finding supported by decades of social science research.
Prosecutor Challenges Survey Scope; Judge Denies Venue Change Due to Similar Jury Pools
During cross-examination, prosecutor Bradley Bloodworth questioned the credibility of Edelman’s methods. Specifically, he criticized the limited scope of media sources used in the Summit County survey, which primarily relied on coverage from The Park Record. Edelman acknowledged that the analysis did not include broader local or national media and described his findings as “conservative” as a result.
After extensive arguments, the judge denied the motion to change venue, citing minimal differences between the jury pools of Summit and Salt Lake counties due to their geographic closeness. He also raised concerns about the logistical complications of moving the trial.
Following the ruling, Richins’ defense immediately filed to stay the proceedings and pursue an appeal. The prosecution did not object and confirmed their readiness to proceed with the trial.
