Kentucky - Judge killed, sheriff arrested in Letcher County courthouse shooting - Sep. 19, 2024

[Inthedetails]

And, seeing as how the process of removing Stines from his position could take up to six months... it's very possible you're correct. If he qualifies, and Miller continues to represent him... why not try to keep money and benefits.

I keep waffling on every aspect of this case.

Yeah, I'm thinking he'll hang on until absolutely forced out of office. I think it would be beneficial for the county to have a clean break without the drama and uncertainty that is happening now, but not sure he will do anything to avoid that.

jmo

 

[azure]

1755 BC, Hammurabi's Code: "an eye for an eye".
2024 AD, Facebook, same.

For all the scientific and technological advances we've made, I don't think the human race has evolved very much.

 

[Sillybilly]

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[Parsnip]

Yes, I understand that possibility. I've been watching crimes for a long time and have seen many scenarios play out, lol!

You asked why there would be no trial. There would be no trial if the sheriff pleads guilty, or a plea deal is reached.

And of course the fifth does not just apply to the sheriff. I used “(the sheriff)” as a referent in my post because there were two possible antecedents.

 

[Inthedetails]

You asked why there would be no trial. There would be no trial if the sheriff pleads guilty, or a plea deal is reached.

And of course the fifth does not just apply to the sheriff. I used “(the sheriff)” as a referent in my post because there were two possible antecedents.

I thought you were alluding to some deal that would be made where he wouldn't be charged with murder because there was some other investigation going on. I misunderstood.

jmo

 

[CuriousCricket]

Stines was deposed on Monday in a lawsuit filed by two women, one of whom alleged that a deputy forced her to have sex inside Mullins’ chambers for six months in exchange for staying out of jail. The lawsuit accuses the sheriff of “deliberate indifference in failing to adequately train and supervise” the deputy.

The now-former deputy sheriff, Ben Fields, pleaded guilty to raping the female prisoner while she was on home incarceration. Fields was sentenced this year to six months in jail and then six and a half years on probation for rape, sodomy, perjury and tampering with a prisoner monitoring device, The Mountain Eagle reported. Three charges related to a second woman were dismissed because she is now dead.

https://www.krqe.com/news/national/ap-kentucky-sheriff-charged-in-judges-death-allegedly-ignored-deputys-abuse-of-woman-in-his-chambers/

No wonder the sheriff might be thinking he'll get off completely for a single murder charge. . . seriously, 6 MONTHS???? rape, sodomy, perjury and tampering with a prisoner monitoring device -- all those charges and 6 months in jail? That's outrageous -- IMO Plus, why wasn't "abuse of power" a charge? and probably tons of others I'd never think of. Good grief.

ET fix spelling

 

[Chimera]

Stines was deposed on Monday in a lawsuit filed by two women, one of whom alleged that a deputy forced her to have sex inside Mullins’ chambers for six months in exchange for staying out of jail. The lawsuit accuses the sheriff of “deliberate indifference in failing to adequately train and supervise” the deputy.

The now-former deputy sheriff, Ben Fields, pleaded guilty to raping the female prisoner while she was on home incarceration. Fields was sentenced this year to six months in jail and then six and a half years on probation for rape, sodomy, perjury and tampering with a prisoner monitoring device, The Mountain Eagle reported. Three charges related to a second woman were dismissed because she is now dead.

https://www.krqe.com/news/national/ap-kentucky-sheriff-charged-in-judges-death-allegedly-ignored-deputys-abuse-of-woman-in-his-chambers/

Bbm.
Thanks for the link !

Regarding the bolded; what oddly "generalized" and casual wording, imo, for such severe criminal acts.
A person shouldn't need 'adequate training and supervision' , to know that assaulting another is wrong !
Smh.
And by a deputy sheriff no less, whom people look up to.
What a betrayal for the community.

Also from above link : ".... since the lead county prosecutor, Matt Butler, recused himself and his office. Butler said he and the judge married two sisters, and their children act like siblings...".

Close-knit families and town, as in everyone -- sort of -- knowing each other ?
So many lives shattered.
Omo.

 

[Chimera]

No wonder the sheriff might be thinking he'll get off completely for a single murder charge. . . seriously, 6 MONTHS???? rape, sodomy, perjury and tampering with a prisoner monitoring device -- all those charges and 6 months in jail? That's outrageous -- IMO Plus, why wasn't "abuse of power" a charge? and probably tons of others I'd never think of. Good grief.

ET fix spelling

Bbm.
Esp. the bolded.
Omo.

 

[Knox]

I appreciate that perspective, and I think it is a valid interpretation. But I’m leaning towards the idea that the Sheriff eliminated a witness to something when he killed the judge. And he (the sheriff) can plead the fifth to anything he might be accused of. So, if there is some sort of federal investigation going on, the evidence would be entirely circumstantial. If there is no trial for the killing of the judge, there is limited discovery and no testimony on the record that can facilitate any other investigation. My thought is that the sheriff is banking on being able to save face in some other matter, take his licks for the killing of the judge, and not bankrupt his family.

Eta: all imo

Interesting scenario, makes sense. I’m having difficulty though coming up with what that “saving face” matter could be. As everyone keeps repeating, he blew up his entire life as well as his families. What is possibly be worth that price? Does his wife know or did this take her by storm too?

 

[Knox]

No wonder the sheriff might be thinking he'll get off completely for a single murder charge. . . seriously, 6 MONTHS???? rape, sodomy, perjury and tampering with a prisoner monitoring device -- all those charges and 6 months in jail? That's outrageous -- IMO Plus, why wasn't "abuse of power" a charge? and probably tons of others I'd never think of. Good grief.

ET fix spelling

I was shocked by how lax the sentence was as well? I’ve seen other LE officers who were convicted of the same crimes in other states sentenced to fifteen years. Who was the Judge in that case, I’d like to do some research.

 

[fred&edna]

No wonder the sheriff might be thinking he'll get off completely for a single murder charge. . . seriously, 6 MONTHS???? rape, sodomy, perjury and tampering with a prisoner monitoring device -- all those charges and 6 months in jail? That's outrageous -- IMO Plus, why wasn't "abuse of power" a charge? and probably tons of others I'd never think of. Good grief.

ET fix spelling

It's a disgrace!

I hope no one attempted to remove him from the sex offender registry! (not that it's even possible).

 

[fred&edna]

I was shocked by how lax the sentence was as well? I’ve seen other LE officers who were convicted of the same crimes in other states sentenced to fifteen years. Who was the Judge in that case, I’d like to do some research.

Former Letcher County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Fields was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Pike County Circuit Court Judge Eddy Coleman delivered the sentencing on Thursday.

Fields faces consecutive sentences for rape and sodomy adding up to seven years

Former Letcher Co. deputy receives sentence

Former Letcher County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Fields was sentenced to seven years in prison.

www.wymt.com

 

[KonaHonu]

It's a disgrace!

I hope no one attempted to remove him from the sex offender registry! (not that it's even possible).

Home Page - Kentucky Sex Offender Registry

He's still there!

 

[fred&edna]

Jan 10 2024 info on the case against Ben Fields
The Mountain Eagle is the local news outlet



In return for the guilty plea, the judge followed the recommendation in the plea agreement and sentenced Fields to five years each for rape, and two tampering charges, but that time be probated for seven years with supervision for five years. The perjury sentence of 12 months was conditionally discharged for 12 months. Fields will serve six months in jail and is required to register as a sex offender and complete outpatient sex offender treatment. Protective orders will be in place and effective for 10 years.

Ex-deputy sheriff is sentenced; one victim tells of ‘nightmares’ - The Mountain Eagle

A former Letcher County deputy sheriff who pleaded guilty to raping a female prisoner who was on home incarceration will spend six months in the Letcher County Jail, where he formerly worked as a deputy jailer. Ben Fields, who was a court security officer for the sheriff ’s office and worked a...

www.themountaineagle.com

 

[acutename]

I am flummoxed, even after reading social media. A part of me wonders if the sheriff has an undiagnosed brain tumor, as his actions seem so out of line with what people are saying. <modsnip>

crossed my mind too. expected some public statement or letter.... which would explain his motive or sound crazy or both.

 

[Seattle1]

I was shocked by how lax the sentence was as well? I’ve seen other LE officers who were convicted of the same crimes in other states sentenced to fifteen years. Who was the Judge in that case, I’d like to do some research.

Things are not always as they seem. There's a reason the rape charges were third degree (Class D Felony). WS is victim friendly so I think it ends here. MOO

 

[KonaHonu]

So here is something I am wondering. The sheriff said he was planning to retire when his term ends in 2026. He will be about 46 years old. What was he going to live off of? Sure, after 20+ years as a sheriff he could have decent retirement savings. But most of that time was as a deputy making $40,000 per year. Even though they did not have a mortgage and his wife may work, it's hard to believe they had enough saved to retire. I realize that he may have just meant retiring from being a sheriff and had a post-LE career planned.

 

[Seattle1]

So here is something I am wondering. The sheriff said he was planning to retire when his term ends in 2026. He will be about 46 years old. What was he going to live off of? Sure, after 20+ years as a sheriff he could have decent retirement savings. But most of that time was as a deputy making $40,000 per year. Even though they did not have a mortgage and his wife may work, it's hard to believe they had enough saved to retire. I realize that he may have just meant retiring from being a sheriff and had a post-LE career planned.

I took his comment to mean retire from LE. We know he spent 16 years as the bailiff at the very Letcher County Courthouse where he allegedly shot Judge Mullins dead, and had he completed two terms that would have been 8 yrs as Sheriff. He also said he was considering going to law school. JMO

 

[KonaHonu]

I took his comment to mean retire from LE. We know he spent 16 years as the bailiff at the very Letcher County Courthouse where he allegedly shot Judge Mullins dead, and had he completed two terms that would have been 8 yrs as Sheriff. He also said he was considering going to law school. JMO

Ok, yes I do recall hearing the law school comment. But law school can be expensive! Then again, I took 3 years off mid-career to get a PhD.

 

[fred&edna]

Things are not always as they seem. There's a reason the rape charges were third degree (Class D Felony). WS is victim friendly so I think it ends here. MOO

ITA.