Samantha MoilanenAs Kouri Richins’ livestreamed trial captivated people far beyond Summit County, many online viewers commented on 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik’s “calm” demeanor and no-nonsense courtroom management.
Richins’ attorneys, however, painted a different picture. In July, her defense team argued Mrazik was biased, asked that he be disqualified and requested Richins receive a new trial.
On Wednesday, 3rd District Judge Kara Pettit rejected that request, ruling the defense “fails to state facts sufficient to show the level of bias, prejudice or conflict of interest by Judge Mrazik required to warrant disqualification.”
Richins’ team filed the motion nearly two months after Mrazik sentenced Richins to life in prison for poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, in 2022.
In it, her attorneys accused the judge of being “impatient, critical, hostile, disparaging and condescending toward defense counsel” while acting “friendly and helpful to the prosecution.”
Throughout the trial, Richins’ attorneys argued they were “repeatedly interrupted” and that Mrazik “corrected counsel” in ways that made it appear to the jury that her attorneys were mishandling witnesses.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Third District Judge Richard Mrazik at the sentencing of Kouri Richins in 3rd District Court in Park City on May 13, 2026.
Pettit found those arguments fell short, stating that “even if Judge Mrazik’s conduct could be considered as showing anger or frustration with defense counsel, that is not grounds for disqualification.”
After reviewing video clips of the trial submitted by defense attorneys, Pettit found they did not show the kind of “extreme behavior” or “deep-seated antagonism” required to remove a judge, nor did they show favoritism toward prosecutors.
Under Utah law, Pettit’s ruling says judges can be disqualified in cases involving personal bias or conflicts of interest — but not simply because they were critical or frustrated during a trial.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Kouri Richins listens to statements written by her children during her sentencing in 3rd District Court in Park City on May 13, 2026.
In addition to murder, Richins was convicted of fraud and forgery. She faces 26 other charges related to financial crimes in a separate case.
Now, the case returns to Mrazik’s courtroom, where one of the remaining questions is how much restitution Richins must pay on her murder and insurance fraud convictions.
Last week, prosecutors asked the court to order more than $1.3 million in restitution, an amount they say reflects the life insurance money Richins collected after her husband’s death.
