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Hidden True Crime

GUILTY Verdict | Closing Arguments in the Kouri Richins Trial - Day 15

Hidden True Crime

Hidden True Crime

News Commentary, Documentary, True Crime, News, Society & Culture

4.62.5K Ratings

🗓️ 17 March 2026

⏱️ 145 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

After just three hours of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict in the Kouri Richins trial—guilty on all counts. In this episode, we break down the dramatic closing arguments that led to that decision, from the prosecution’s narrative of a calculated, financially motivated poisoning to the defense’s claims of bias, missing evidence, and reasonable doubt. We walk through the key moments that may have swayed jurors—including the 911 call timeline, digital evidence, financial pressure, and the now-infamous “Walk the Dog” letter—while also examining the unanswered questions that remained. And from inside the courtroom, Lauren shares a deeply personal moment speaking with Kouri’s family just before the verdict was read, offering a powerful reminder that behind every case are real people, real grief, and lives forever changed. Sponsors Blissy: Wake up with clearer skin, smoother hair, and cooler sleep. Use code HIDDEN for an extra 30% off at blissy.com/HIDDEN Gusto: Try Gusto today at https://gusto.com/HIDDEN and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Rula: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/hidden About Hidden True Crime What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello, everyone. I mean, let's not bury the lead, right? Guilty. Corey Richens is guilty. If anybody missed that tea. There you go. That's the verdict. The jury returned today after deliberating for just a few short hours. Today was the day.

0:21.5

Everything came down to a single question.

0:24.8

What will the jury believe?

0:26.4

Because that's all that matters here, right?

0:27.9

And I was there for it all sitting in the courtroom.

0:31.3

While the public was banned today, media was allowed in, and I was there watching the jurors on the front row, watching their

0:39.5

reactions as both sides made that final push. In fact, at the end of this episode, I do have a more

0:50.5

personal story and thoughts to share from being in court today. We'll save that for the end, though,

0:56.8

because after weeks of testimony about drug deals, finances, alleged affairs, deleted messages,

1:04.0

a grief book, and the final night of Eric Richen's life, it all came down to today's closing arguments.

1:12.6

And honestly, the two sides could not have told more different stories.

1:18.6

Prosecutors, they say this was a calculated murder.

1:23.5

They argued that Corey Richens poisoned her husband, Eric, with fentanyl, driven by money, financial pressure, and the image she was trying to maintain.

1:34.4

The defense, of course, they paint a completely different picture.

1:41.6

They said the case was deeply flawed.

1:43.9

They argue investigators focused on

1:45.4

Corey from the very beginning and never seriously considered other possibilities.

1:50.2

According to them, the state's case is built on speculation bias and an incomplete investigation,

1:57.7

a lot of unanswered questions too. So today, the plan for this recap, what we thought we were going to be doing today is just breaking down those closing arguments.

2:08.1

But the day took a turn that I don't think a lot of us expected.

2:12.6

I think some of us did.

2:14.0

Because after everything this jury heard over the course of the trial, we're talking

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