During her statement at sentencing, Kouri Richins said it is still difficult for her to say the words "murder and attempted murder." She referred to Eric Richins' death as an "unforeseen tragedy."

She displayed emotion, sniffling, speaking the whole time to her sons. She told them that the accusations against her are lies and advised them not to apologize for something they didn't do.

"I would have never taken him from you, from us," Richins said.

Kouri Richins is addressing her statement at her sentencing hearing to her sons. She is standing at the podium surrounded by her defense counsel.

She is speaking about trying to contact them over the past two years. Richins says she is using this opportunity to get a message to them.

One of the three people who don't know Kouri Richins but who spoke on her behalf was Park City native Emery Blanchard. Her father killed her mother in 1995. He died in prison after failing to secure parole.

She says, "Hearts and feelings can change over the years."

Richins' attorneys have said no one can know whether Richins is beyond redemption. They think the court should not deny her the chance at rehabilitation.

The other two speakers and others were kept anonymous because of the intense publicity surrounding this case.

Kouri Richins is expected to speak after a break.

Those who know Kouri Richins made statements to Judge Richard Mrazik on her behalf, either themselves or through Richins' attorneys.

They include Kouri Richins' mom, sister, aunt, two close friends and her brother's wife. Two unnamed people who lost money in real estate transactions with her also advocated for clemency.

They painted a picture of a person who cares about others and wants to better herself and those around her.

Defense attorney Kathy Nester is reading statements from Summit County jail volunteers, too. Then the defense has prepared letters from people who have experience with murder or death in their lives, who do not know Kouri Richins but who are expected to also ask for mercy.

It is unclear when Richins herself will make her statement.

Defense attorney Kathy Nester says her client's statement is "unusually long."

Her team will also read various letters, beginning with one from Lisa Darden, Kouri Richins' mother.

Judge Richard Mrazik recessed the court for 15 minutes after listening to the victim's impact statements.

Defense attorney Kathy Nester then made opening remarks.

People have written various statements and letters for Kouri Richins; some of those will be read.

Kouri Richins will make an allocution today, according to Nester.

"We believe in her innocence completely," Nester said, indicating that Richins will appeal her convictions.

The three children who were in the house when Kouri Richins murdered their father made victim impact statements, too.

Their counselors read them verbatim into the record. They also told stories of grief and, at times, abuse by Kouri Richins.

Gene Richins, Amy Richins, Katie Richins-Benson and Clint Benson all expressed a mix of grief and thanks.

They are grieving their son and brother. But they said they're grateful for those who investigated Eric Richins' murder.

They spoke about the impact on the three Richins children and the impact of public scrutiny on their family.

Eric Richins' father, Gene Richins, will deliver a victim impact statement to Judge Richard Mrazik first.

Then the court will hear victim impact statements from Eric Richins' sisters, Katie Richins-Benson and Amy Richins, as well as his brother-in-law Clint Benson.

The three counselors for his and Kouri Richins' three sons will read statements from the boys as well.

Chief prosecutor Brad Bloodworth is reading the state's sentencing memo. For more on the state's argument, click here.

The Summit County Attorney's Office wants Kouri Richins sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Judge Richard Mrazik says his reading of Utah law does not support an automatic protective order that would prohibit Kouri Richins from contacting the adult family members of her husband.

"In full transparency, I don't like the result," Mrazik said.

He believes this result is likely what state legislators did not intend when they wrote rules regarding domestic violence cases.

Victims of domestic violence are usually entitled to an automatic protective order. But in this case, the judge says, the victim, Eric Richins, died. Mrazik sees that as a gap in the law that would not then automatically mean Kouri Richins cannot contact his family.

She was convicted of murdering him in March.

Summit County prosecutors are asking Judge Richard Mrazik to enjoin Kouri Richins from contacting family members of her late husband. The judge is questioning the attorneys about the legal foundation for that request.

Judge Richard Mrazik says Kouri Richins will be allowed to speak if she chooses.

She is present in the courtroom wearing neon jail clothes. Her late husband's family and friends are in the first two rows of the gallery behind her.

The media is seated in the third row.

Kouri Richins' family and friends are in the back two rows.

Mrazik admonished the spectators the be respectful before beginning with the issue of what restitution Kouri Richins will be ordered to pay.

The family and friends of both Kouri Richins and the late Eric Richins have returned to the courthouse at Silver Summit just outside Park City for Kouri Richins' sentencing this morning.

She was convicted of five felonies in March, the most serious being aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder.

The judge is about to enter the courtroom.