A Summit County judge agreed Monday, Oct. 19, to replace Kouri Richins' defense attorney in her pending financial-crimes case.

Third District Judge Richard Mrazik approved the request after attorney Amy Fowler said her working relationship with Richins had broken down. Fowler will remain assigned until the county arranges replacement counsel, according to KSL's account of the hearing.

The decision affects a separate prosecution involving 26 felony charges, including allegations of mortgage fraud, forgery and money laundering. Richins, a Kamas mother of three, was convicted earlier this year of murdering her husband, Eric Richins. She is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Richins had asked for a new attorney in a letter filed Oct. 15. She questioned Fowler's prior representation of a witness in her murder trial and raised concerns about their ability to work together.

At Monday's hearing, Fowler sought permission to withdraw. She told the judge she could not explain the communication problems in greater detail without disclosing privileged information.

Mrazik agreed to the change but said Richins could not be left without representation while the county found another attorney.

KPCW reported that Fowler had represented Richins in the financial case since June. The prosecution had been on hold during the murder trial.

Richins raised concerns about representation

In her letter, Richins said Fowler had previously represented Carmen Lauber, a former housekeeper who testified during the murder trial about obtaining drugs for Richins.

Richins argued that the earlier representation should have been disclosed to her. Her letter also raised concerns about personal relationships she said Fowler had with people involved in the prosecution.

Those statements were Richins' allegations, not findings of misconduct by the court.

Richins also cited Fowler's professional disciplinary history. The Utah State Bar documented disciplinary action connected to Fowler's impaired-driving case and a missed client hearing.

The judge's decision to arrange new counsel did not establish that Fowler had a disqualifying conflict of interest.

Financial case remains pending

The financial charges are separate from the murder conviction. Richins continues to challenge that conviction and maintains her innocence.

A follow-up hearing in the financial case is scheduled for Nov. 6, when the court may address the appointment of replacement counsel.

Until then, Fowler remains the attorney of record. The fraud-related charges remain allegations, and Richins has not been convicted in that separate case.