Kouri Richins: Redacted ‘Walk the Dog’ Evidence Seems Damaging – Why?

True crime followers know by now, that Kouri Richins from Utah stands accused of killing her husband, Eric. As the trial is ongoing, an interesting twist arrived and it seems a bit wild if the prosecution can prove their angle. Read on for for details.

The ‘Fictional’ Letter

The development involves a letter that she claimed was the outline for a book. Actually, you should know that she published another book for kids about grief. Why is one of massive interest and the other, while important, isn’t such a big deal?

Per Fox 13 on “day 11,” ahead of the state calling its last witness, Det. Jeff O’Driscoll, who incidentally, was accused of witness intimidation, the jury was sent away. And the reason for that, involved the letter that the cops claim was found in her jail cell.

Actually some questions arose about that, as allegedly, it was in an envelope addressed to her lawyer. Still, the judge allowed it. Or, parts of it for admission. While the prosecution claims it shows intent to murder and other important evidence, it was, notably, extremely redacted.

What’s In The Letter?

The document now known as the “Walk The Dog” letter, allegedly tells Kouri’s brother, exactly what to say on the stand. In fact, the prosecution believes it tells him that he should claim he saw Eric Richins obtain fentanyl from Mexico.

Is that a huge problem for Kouri Richins? Actually yes. Why? Well, because she claimed that Eric only used gummies and bought them himself.

Creative But Not Fact Based?

When Lawyer Lee broke it down on Live on YouTube on March 10, she analysed how the jail staff asked her about it. Naturally, as she’d already written a book, Kouri claimed it was simply a fictionalized novel: creative but not fact based. In other words, she wrote a draft mystery novel.

Why Is This A Big Deal?

Legal experts say “Walk the Dog” slang, simply means it was planner documentation to her family, and the title suggests that they should rehearse that plan “until it’s perfect.”

While prosecutors argue it proves Kouri Richins tried manufacturing an alibi, admittedly it contains some “vague notes” to keep the witness-influencing hidden. And, from the point of view of the state, it helps them identify a guilty intent.

Why Hasn’t The Jury Heard This Yet?

Here’s where it gets interesting. Regarding the letter, the judge held private discussions, and the jury wasn’t allowed to listen to that part.

Naturally, as it was addressed to her lawyer, the defence argued that reading it breached attorney-client privilege. Plus, they also claimed that the seizing of the document wasn’t lawful.  Allegedly, the cops improperly seized it from her cell.

Loads Of Redactions’ 

For true crime followers, something might not sit right. Here’s the thing: Prosecutors cherry-picked the worst parts for the case. Is it possible that certain parts of the Walk the Dog letter might have helped the defense? Certainly, it seems that the bits selected for the court case leaned heavily into witness tampering.

For example, let’s speculate that perhaps the letter also contained details of her grief for Eric, or her children: it becomes clear the state doesn’t want that out there for public or jury consumption. In simple wording, they want the jury focused on the incriminating stuff.

Notably, the jury will hear about it going forward this week, starting on about March 12.

The Grief Book Connection

Let’s not forget the irony here. Months before her arrest, Kouri self-published “Are You With Me?” As mentioned before, it was a children’s book about a father with angel wings watching over his son.

After promoting it locally on TV, the state claims that she wrote it for profit. Well, that’s not a crime in itself. But, they claim it proved circumstantially that Kouri Richins is a calculated woman, and that she deliberately killed her husband prior to authoring it.

Okay, lets look at that again: She killed Eric Richins, then wrote a grief book for financial reward, right?

How Damaging is it?

Actually, the book theory isn’t a good look for Kouri. After all, the letter apparently mentioned money. In the “fiction” text, she wrote about her mom, asking her to check on “mortgage relief” and settle loans.

Unfortunately, that fits the state’s theory that Eric was a financial hassle, standing in the way of her lifestyle. Debt has long been a point that the prosecution argued motivated Kouri.

But this also seems important: If Kouri’s brother said anything on the witness stand that might even be truthful, but related to the contents of the book draft, it only drives another nail into his sister’s defense.

Why It Will Likely Help The Prosecution?

Another consideration involves the jury, and this isn’t projecting well for the defence. After all, a jury isn’t likely to buy into the “I was writing fiction” excuse. Mainly, that’s because the so-called “fiction” uses real names of those involved in the trial.

Suspicion of a lack of honesty won’t land Richins in prison for life on its own. However, so far, there’s been a mountain of circumstantial evidence that could sway the jury toward a guilty verdict.

What Do You Think?

Is Kouri a misunderstood novelist, or a desperate woman caught coaching witnesses? And what about those redactions? Let us know in the comments below, and come back here often for more trending true crime news and updates. Plus, you can check out our crime channel on TikTok for other news.