Utah judge rejects Kouri Richins' bid for a new trial

Kouri Richins' appeal for a new trial was rejected by 3rd District Judge Kara Pettit, who said the request to remove Judge Richard Mrazik did not meet procedural standards and was untimely. The judge noted the motion lacked a good-faith certification, an affidavit, and failed to demonstrate the extreme bias required for disqualification. Richins, a former real-estate agent from Kamas, was convicted in March of murdering her husband Eric Richins and received a life-without-parole sentence in May.

While the murder convictions stand, prosecutors have filed a motion seeking more than $1.3 million in restitution based on life-insurance proceeds. Richins also faces separate charges of mortgage fraud, forgery, bad-check issuance, money laundering and related offenses that predate the homicide. A hearing is set for Friday to arrange further proceedings on those counts.