A key prosecution witness in the murder trial of Kouri Richins told jurors Thursday that she repeatedly purchased illicit pills — including fentanyl — at Richins’ request in the weeks before her husband’s death.

Carmen Lauber, who worked as a housecleaner for Richins, testified that she obtained drugs for the Utah mother four times in early 2022. Her testimony strikes at the heart of the state’s case: that Richins poisoned her husband, Eric Richins, with a lethal dose of fentanyl.

Richins, 35, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and other charges. If convicted on the most serious count, she could face life in prison.

On the stand, Lauber recounted how Richins first approached her in late January or early February 2022, asking if she could find “pain meds” for an investor. Lauber said she purchased opiate pills from a woman she worked with and handed them to Richins in her driveway the following morning.

Soon after, Lauber testified, Richins asked for something stronger.

According to Lauber, she contacted a man who said he had pills containing fentanyl. When Lauber texted Richins about them, she said Richins replied, “Okay, go ahead and get them.”

Lauber told the court that Richins left about $1,000 in cash inside a home she was flipping. After retrieving the money, Lauber said she met the man at a gas station on Feb. 11, 2022, where he handed her a small clear baggie containing pills.

Lauber testified she left the pills in an outdoor firepit at the same property where she picked up the cash.

Prosecutors allege that just days later, on Valentine’s Day, Richins attempted to poison her husband by lacing his sandwich. According to charging documents, Eric Richins later told a friend he broke out in hives and thought he was going to die.

“I think my wife tried to poison me,” he allegedly said.

Lauber testified that around the end of February, Richins again requested stronger drugs, referencing “some of the Michael Jackson stuff” — a remark prosecutors say points to powerful sedatives. Lauber said she once again picked up $1,000 in cash from the same home and met the same man at a gas station, where she was given light blue pills.

On March 4, 2022, Eric Richins was found dead. Charging documents state he had roughly five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in his system.

Lauber said that two days after his death, she called Richins and asked, “Please tell me these pills were not for him.”

According to her testimony, Richins replied, “No, they were not. Eric passed away from a brain aneurysm.”

Lauber testified that she was later granted immunity in exchange for truthful testimony. She said she felt compelled to “step up and take accountability” after learning investigators believed Eric Richins died from an overdose.

On cross-examination, defense attorneys attacked Lauber’s credibility, highlighting her history of drug use and the immunity agreement. Lauber admitted she tested positive for methamphetamine multiple times in early 2022 and acknowledged she was using regularly during that period.

Defense attorney Kathy Nester argued in opening statements that Lauber initially told investigators the requested drug was oxycodone and only later included fentanyl after immunity was offered. The alleged supplier has reportedly told investigators conflicting accounts about what he sold.

At one point, Lauber admitted she was confused about some details. A recording played in court captured an investigator suggesting she might avoid punishment “if you can help us out with this.”

Lauber confirmed she told authorities she would do “whatever it takes.”

Now jurors must decide whether Lauber’s testimony is the confession of a remorseful accomplice — or the unreliable account of a witness whose freedom depends on securing a conviction.