Bizarre Coincidence Connects Two Major Murder Cases

Kathryn Nester, a veteran public defender, is preparing for another high-profile trial after a recent loss. The outcome of the Kouri Richins case and Nester’s new assignment create a bizarre coincidence involving two major murder cases in Utah. The overlap has drawn attention from legal peers and local officials.

Richins Conviction and Trial Details

Kouri Darden Richins was convicted of poisoning her husband, Eric Richins. Jurors returned a verdict after just over three hours of deliberation. She was found guilty of first-degree aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, forgery and insurance fraud.

Prosecutors said the fatal cocktail contained fentanyl. Richins is a mother of three. The defense team rested without calling any witnesses.

Nester’s New Assignment

Nester was appointed to represent Tyler Robinson in September 2025. Robinson faces accusations in the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He was assigned counsel because he could not afford a lawyer.

The local public defender’s office does not handle death-penalty cases. County officials therefore sought outside counsel. That decision placed Nester on two of the state’s most prominent criminal dockets at once.

How Nester Came to the Cases

Nester joined the Richins defense in May 2024 after the previous law firm withdrew. A county manager said the county chose to pay more to ensure a fair trial. A Summit County Attorney’s Office spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment to Filmogaz.com.

An independent consultant, Greg Skordas, assisted in choosing Nester for the Robinson case. He said many experienced attorneys had already been tied to other death-penalty matters. He called Nester “one of the best lawyers in Utah.”

Career and Credentials

Nester graduated from the University of Texas law school in 1992. She began her career in Mississippi. Colleagues there have praised her trial abilities.

She served as Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Southern District of Mississippi starting in 2005. She later led federal defender offices in Salt Lake City and San Diego. The San Diego office had a staff exceeding 130 people.

In 2022, Nester returned to Utah and formed a law firm with Wendy Lewis. Her record includes more than 60 jury trials. Those cases have covered capital murder, fraud, sex offenses, drugs and weapons charges.

Notable Clients

• Michael Kirk Moore — doctor accused of falsifying COVID-19 vaccine documents; case later dropped.
• Lyle Jeffs — former FLDS leader who pleaded guilty to food stamp fraud and failure to appear; sentenced to 57 months.
• John Earnest — shooter at the Chabad of Poway synagogue; Nester’s office withdrew from that defense due to a conflict.

Controversies and Courtroom Moments

During the Richins trial, Judge Richard Mrazik frequently limited Nester’s arguments. At one point she alleged prosecutorial conduct toward jurors. The judge said he had not observed such behavior.

Critics noted the defense’s choice not to call witnesses. Skye Lazaro, Richins’ former attorney, said that decision left no one to “go to bat” for the defendant. Still, some observers praised the vigor of the defense efforts.

Greg Skordas, who also spoke for Eric Richins’ family during the trial, said he was surprised no witnesses were called. He added he believed Nester would recover professionally from the loss.

Personal Profile

Nester maintains strong Southern ties. She has been married to her junior-high sweetheart for more than 35 years. She is the mother of two daughters and has a son-in-law; all work in the legal field.

Her interests include singing in a church choir, watching films, solving puzzles and traveling near water. Colleagues describe her as a natural courtroom advocate who fights for clients regardless of background.

What Comes Next

Nester is now preparing the defense for Robinson. The overlap between the Richins and Robinson matters has generated national curiosity. Observers call it a bizarre coincidence that one lawyer now handles two major murder prosecutions in the state.

County officials, legal peers and community members will watch the upcoming proceedings closely. Filmogaz.com will continue to follow developments in both cases.