The gulf between “likely” and “beyond a reasonable doubt”

Defendant Kouri Richins

KOURI RICHINS of Park City, Utah, stands accused of slipping her husband a fatal dose of fentanyl. So far from the articles I have read, admittedly an incomplete picture, I would vote to acquit.

Does it seem likely to me that she killed him? I’ll grant that. But when we’re talking about a murder conviction, for me there is huge gulf between “likely” and “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

To be sure, she had motive in the form of onerous debt and a lover on the side. She had opportunity and means. Aspects of her character certainly seem questionable.

But the dots from there to “ergo she killed him” remain unconnected, at least to my satisfaction. 

I’m surprised the court allowed testimony the likes of “she looked more put together than usual on that day” and other implications that she hadn’t met some standard of bereavement behavior. Such are worthless, non–expert opinions. Even taken at face value, poor decorum is not proof of murder.​

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