The murder trial of Kouri Richins, the Utah mother and self-published children’s book author accused of poisoning her husband Eric Richins with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022, took an intensely emotional turn in early March 2026 when her former secret lover, Robert Josh Grossman, took the stand. Grossman, a 43-year-old handyman and Iraq War veteran who had performed work for the Richins family, became visibly distraught as prosecutors displayed and read aloud intimate text messages exchanged between him and Richins spanning late 2021 through months after Eric’s death.

Grossman appeared overwhelmed throughout his testimony at the Summit County Courthouse in Park City. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, muttered phrases like “oh boy” under his breath, lowered his head repeatedly, wiped away tears, and at times required short breaks to regain composure. The judge even paused proceedings briefly to allow him time to collect himself as the deeply personal exchanges were projected for the jury and courtroom observers. The sight of Grossman breaking down—his voice cracking and emotions raw—created a poignant courtroom moment, with Richins herself watching from the defense table as the evidence of their affair was laid bare.

The texts painted a picture of a passionate, on-and-off extramarital relationship filled with declarations of love, frustration over the secrecy, and fantasies of a future together free from Richins’ marriage. In one exchange from December 2021, Richins acknowledged the unsustainable “love triangle,” writing that neither deserved to wait indefinitely and hinting at an eventual resolution: “I really enjoy my relationship and love for you… but we both know this love triangle can’t go on forever. You don’t deserve it, I don’t deserve you. I can’t expect you to sit around for the day the trigger gets pulled.” Grossman responded with affection, and the conversation continued with mutual expressions of care.

Less than a month before Eric Richins’ death on March 4, 2022, Richins posed a direct question: “If I was divorced right now and ask you to marry me tomorrow, you would?” Grossman affirmed enthusiastically, replying that he was “in love” with her and would. Other messages included Richins describing how “life would be so perfect” without her husband in the picture, and wishing he could simply “go away” so they could build their life together. Prosecutors used these to argue motive, suggesting Richins sought to eliminate her spouse—through divorce or otherwise—to pursue the relationship openly.

The exchanges grew more disturbing in context. Around January 2022, Richins inquired about Grossman’s past drug use beyond marijuana and probed his military experiences in Iraq, asking if he had ever killed anyone and how it felt. Grossman testified that he answered honestly about taking a life in combat and the emotional aftermath, but he appeared troubled recounting the conversation, interpreting it as possibly steering toward darker intentions. These questions have fueled speculation in court about whether Richins was gauging his willingness or knowledge regarding extreme measures.

Communication persisted after Eric’s sudden death. Richins informed Grossman that her husband had passed, initially claiming authorities suspected an aneurysm. In one message weeks later, she expressed a desire for him to become her husband someday. When police scrutiny intensified and she became a suspect, Richins sent lengthy explanations insisting on her innocence, suggesting Eric’s death might stem from laced THC gummies rather than foul play. Grossman described feeling overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow upon her arrest, particularly over his role in the infidelity and the pain inflicted on Eric’s family and children.

Grossman’s testimony highlighted the personal devastation. He met Richins years earlier in South Carolina after responding to a help-wanted ad for a house she was flipping; their connection evolved into an affair while he worked for her in Utah. He expressed deep affection but also regret, noting the heavy emotional toll of the revelations. Observers noted his crushed demeanor—head down, tears flowing—as private moments became public spectacle, underscoring the human cost beyond the legal battle.

For Richins, seated emotionless or composed during much of the testimony, watching Grossman unravel must have been heartbreaking in its own way. The exposure of their secret romance—once confined to hidden texts and stolen moments—now served as key evidence in the prosecution’s case portraying her as driven by romantic longing, financial desperation (with millions in debt contrasted against Eric’s substantial estate), and intent to escape her marriage. She had increased life insurance policies on Eric, closed major real estate deals post-death, and promoted her grief-focused children’s book “Are You With Me?” amid suspicions.

The defense has challenged the narrative, arguing no direct evidence ties Richins to administering fentanyl and questioning witness credibility, including Grossman’s emotional state potentially influencing perceptions. Yet the texts remain powerful, illustrating premeditation through longing for a life unburdened by her husband.

As the trial—expected to last about five weeks—continues, Grossman’s tearful appearance stands out as a raw human element in an otherwise calculated case. It revealed not just an affair but the lingering pain for those entangled in its consequences: guilt, heartbreak, and the irreversible fallout from choices made in secrecy. Richins faces aggravated murder and related charges; if convicted without the death penalty (ruled out earlier), she could face 25 years to life. The courtroom drama, amplified by Grossman’s visible anguish, continues to captivate as the jury weighs motive amid the exposed intimacies of a forbidden romance.