Kentucky - Judge killed, sheriff arrested in Letcher County courthouse shooting - Sep. 19, 2024 # 2

[Elley Mae]

I understand the sheriff's department protects the courthouse, but there are protected areas within that building that deputies just don't have unfettered access to. Much like a judge wouldn't have access to an evidence room at the law enforcement agency. Sorry, but having court clerk friends and working in law enforcement, judge's offices are usually no access. In our agencies the only other person who had a key to the chief's office was the city clerk. My long-time court clerk friend is the only person other than the judge's who has keys to those offices. Just my info and opinion. But I'm not here to argue. I just think there is something more sinister going on and, even though I agree the Sheriff should have never shot the Judge and I do agree he should go to jail - but I want the whole truth to come out.

Ben Fields, who was a court security officer for the sheriff ’s office and worked a side job for monitoring company Eastern Kentucky Correctional Services, was sentenced last week to seven years total, with six and a half of that to be spent on probation.

Fields was indicted on seven felony counts and one misdemeanor. The criminal charges followed a lawsuit filed by two women in March 2022, both former inmates in the Letcher County Jail, where Fields worked as a deputy jailer before being hired by the sheriff’s office.

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

She also alleged that a male relative of Fields, who he introduced to her, also coerced her to have sex with him because he “had pull with the court.” She said that she talked to Fields on Facebook Messenger, but the other man never sent her any messages. He wasn’t charged because she had no proof.

Adkins said she believes that man is still doing to same thing to other women because she went to court for a hearing on a charge of driving under the influence and saw him sitting in the gallery whispering to another female defendant with his arm around her.

 

[m00c0w]

And the judge had his mind made up evidenced by the fact that he said the hearing was over, and almost stood up to leave when the defense attorney politely asked the judge was he not going to hear arguments. The judge laughed, "oh yeah, you want to make an argument? By all means, go ahead." The defense did make an argument - not that the sheriff should be excused and sent free, but that the snippet of the video did not include what led up to the shooting and it, in his opinion, was not first degree, but rather a lesser degree. Judge quickly stated his decision to go forward with first degree and closed the hearing.

To be fair, probable cause is probable cause. They have a video of the shooting, with the defendant being the one very clearly committing the shooting. There may be some way to “justify” the shooting or plea towards jury nullification later, but there’s not a whole lot one can argue to escape the very low threshold of probable cause in that instance. I’m not sure the judge was biased as much as surprised because the PC is pretty inescapable and other arguments are best saved for trial.

JMO

 

[detectivewannab]

This is confusing.

 

[housewife]

In terms of the speculations that the wife and daughter might have turned to the judge for help in a divorce/dv type situation:

I really wonder if they would have been likely to turn to one of MS's closest friends -- wouldn't they have worried the judge might clue MS in to their plans?

It seems more likely to me they would have turned to the other law enforcement system in town -- the Whitesburg, KY city police department.

I'm sure in a small town where everyone knows everyone, there are strong connections between the city police dept. and the county sheriff's office, but if the judge and sheriff were really that close buddies, the city police would seem (to me) a more neutral place to turn for help.

This makes me think it's less about DV/divorce and more about something personal with the judge and the daughter.

MOO

Right? I thought maybe the wife and daughter reached out to the judge to discuss hubby's behavior on the DL, ask him to get his best friend to try therapy or something,
but that's probably a stretch. The kidnapping statement led me to this theory.

If not DV, unfortunately could be sexual motive. I think the sheriff's family said no abuse had taken place. IMHO the judge had slid into his BFF's daughter's DMs and possibly was grooming her. Private texts/messages to a minor shouldn't be happening at all.

I wonder how her number was stored in the phone. Was she saved as "babysitter" or "Pizza Hut"?

How old was Kimberly when she got married?

 

[Vegasgrl]

Rational or not, part of the motive seams to be fear for his family, or fear of losing his family. After Stines had the proof he needed (phones), he acted swiftly. He reportedly didn't ask to meet his friend, the judge, in private. The judge offered privacy and his phone when Stines requested. That phone was a confirmed huge betrayal (in his mind) - and he lost it. We'll know soon enough what Stines confirmed in chambers.

 

[Chimera]

Not unusual at all, ime. The Sheriff’s department protects the courthouse. They have access to all of the rooms, as well as video footage.

Bbm.
Hmmmm....

 

[cujenn81]

I grew up in a very small, southern town with a population of roughly 6,000 — which is like NYC compared to this place. Nevertheless, it was still very small and the whole town knew everybody’s business… at least, they thought they did.

Vicious and mean spirited rumors can be dogged and unshakeable in a small town. I’ve seen rumors created by jealous or bored teenagers, men, and women that have utterly destroyed relationships, families, and lifelong friendships. And the people who know the least always have the most to say.

Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Luna20]

At what point did he see the judge’s phone? He came around the corner and started shooting so had he looked at it previously?

What was in that briefcase type thing?

 

[Soulmagent]

At what point did he see the judge’s phone? He came around the corner and started shooting so had he looked at it previously?

What was in that briefcase type thing?

According to court preceddings he was sitting at first , wonder why he fled into that corner?

 

[housewife]

Sorry, didn't mean to be abrupt or short but I tend to use both terms interchangeably to describe the following:

A preliminary hearing, also called a “probable cause hearing,” is an adversarial proceeding conducted by a judge or magistrate (and not a jury) to determine if the prosecution has enough evidence to go to trial.The hearing is limited to the specific issue at hand, in which both sides present evidence and arguments regarding the disputed issue of fact or law. The judge does not give a verdict on whether the defendant is guilty.
preliminary hearing

But the prelim happens before the grand jury indicts, right? They are two separate events with different legal ramifications?

 

[Chimera]

At what point did he see the judge’s phone? He came around the corner and started shooting so had he looked at it previously?

What was in that briefcase type thing?

Kentucky judge’s moment of sheer terror caught on video as sheriff pal ‘executes’ him in his chambers before telling arresting officers ‘treat me fair’

“They’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid,” Sheriff Shawn Stines allegedly told cops after the shooting.

nypost.com

Pause the video at 00:41 ; it appears to be a brown-colored backpack ?
Also, why all the paper 'Dixie'-style cups ?
Don't they usually store those beside the large upside-down drink jugs, those 4-6 gallon ones ?
Omo.

 

[Seattle1]

But the prelim happens before the grand jury indicts, right? They are two separate events with different legal ramifications?

Actually, it depends in what part of the country you are viewing this case from!

For example, I think the proper term in KY should be "probable cause hearing" because here, the lower court (District Court) Judge ruled that there was probable cause to bind the case to the Grand Jury, and not to Trial.

In the West, where Grand Jury Indictments are NOT the norm, and criminal charges are brought by Information and Complaint, Members here live for the "Preliminary Hearing" (PH) were we typically learn for the first time the details in the sealed probable cause affidavit supporting the Criminal Complaint.

What is often times a multi-day dispositional hearing, witnesses are called to present the states evidence against the defendant. Unlike a trial, rules are more relaxed during a preliminary hearing, and hearsay evidence is also allowed. The defense is also learning the states case against the defendant, usually in sufficient detail to know whether or not they want to change their plea or even go to trial. At the conclusion of the Preliminary Hearing, the Judge rules on whether or not the Prosecution proved that there is probable cause that the defendant committed the felony crimes as charged, and rules if the case if bound over for Trial. If the Judge does not agree probable cause proven, the charges against the defendant are dismissed.

To be clear, generally, a Preliminary Hearing replaces the Grand Jury. Unlike Kentucky, a defendant is not entitled to both a Preliminary Hearing AND a grand jury, and why I think it was confusing for many of us following this case.

IMO, listening to Stines hearing deemed as a "Preliminary Hearing" where the State's only witness, lead investigator Clayton Stamper, was beyond evasive in his answers to the defense, and and the defense called no witnesses to impeach Stamper, I don't think it should be called anything other than a probable cause hearing where the case was bound over to the grand jury for indictment. JMO

 

[whitelilac]

Daughter is 17 right? The age where she is applying to colleges.
My musings made me think of the Varsity Blues scandal.
Could there be some "influences" involved, that went badly sideways?
Just a thought that crossed my mind.

Varsity Blues scandal - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Soulmagent]

Actually, it depends in what part of the country you are viewing this case from!

For example, I think the proper term in KY should be "probable cause hearing" because here, the lower court (District Court) Judge ruled that there was probable cause to bind the case to the Grand Jury, and not to Trial.

In the West, where Grand Jury Indictments are NOT the norm, and criminal charges are brought by Information and Complaint, Members here live for the "Preliminary Hearing" (PH) were we typically learn for the first time the details in the sealed probable cause affidavit supporting the Criminal Complaint.

What is often times a multi-day dispositional hearing, witnesses are called to present the states evidence against the defendant. Unlike a trial, rules are more relaxed during a preliminary hearing, and hearsay evidence is also allowed. The defense is also learning the states case against the defendant, usually in sufficient detail to know whether or not they want to change their plea or even go to trial. At the conclusion of the Preliminary Hearing, the Judge rules on whether or not the Prosecution proved that there is probable cause that the defendant committed the felony crimes as charged, and rules if the case if bound over for Trial. If the Judge does not agree probable cause proven, the charges against the defendant are dismissed.

To be clear, generally, a Preliminary Hearing replaces the Grand Jury. Unlike Kentucky, a defendant is not entitled to both a Preliminary Hearing AND a grand jury, and why I think it was confusing for many of us following this case.

IMO, listening to Stines hearing deemed as a "Preliminary Hearing" where the State's only witness, lead investigator Clayton Stamper, was beyond evasive in his answers to the defense, and and the defense called no witnesses to impeach Stamper, I don't think it should be called anything other than a probable cause hearing where the case was bound over to the grand jury for indictment. JMO

Those 5 commonwealths throw people side ways.

 

[Tricia]

We will be discussing this case tonight on Websleuths YouTube Live. I hope you will join us. We go live at 10:30 PM Eastern.

 

[Friday Fan]

This whole motive in this case is baffling.


I do get "the other side of the bench" stuff. I live in a county with over 2 million and young lawyers work as prosecutors, they then go into private practice and become criminal defense attorneys. Sometimes they run for judge and they do that for several terms. So, that part doesn't surprise me.

I believe each district court has their own bailiff assigned to them.

The judge's chamber desk is strange, but this is a small town. I know in Texas a district court can serve numerous small counties, so a judge literally travels numerous counties hearing cases.

Less distorted image of the chambers here. From the narrative, it seems like he shot the judge four or five times.

https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article293386104.html

The portion played in court opens with Stines standing and Mullins sitting at his desk in his black robe. This is what happened next:

▪ Stines pointed his gun at Mullins from perhaps five feet away. The judge raised one hand, perhaps a gesture to ward off the threat, then turned away from Stines and hunkered over in his chair.

Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article293386104.html#storylink=cpy

 

[arielilane]

Such a sad case. Don’t even want to imagine what sparked this murder. What could have been SO triggering to set this off? It appears something that involved the daughter, at least at the moment.

A little tidbit that caught my attention was that MS had lost 40 lbs in two weeks. Seems a bit extraordinary even for Ozempic, the latest weight loss craze, but who knows? Maybe anxiety, stress, sleeplessness? A thought that crossed my mind with regard to rapid weight loss is cancer. I’ve seen it too many times, but mostly in less rotund individuals. Let that take you where it may. Nothing to lose? Just a thought.

Eta: May be way off base, as he did speak of retiring and studying the law.

About his weight loss. My first thoughts were cancer, because he didn't know how he lost the weight. Hope Im wrong... jmo

 

[Argonaut]

Live!

 

[Luna20]

Kentucky judge’s moment of sheer terror caught on video as sheriff pal ‘executes’ him in his chambers before telling arresting officers ‘treat me fair’

“They’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid,” Sheriff Shawn Stines allegedly told cops after the shooting.

nypost.com

Pause the video at 00:41 ; it appears to be a brown-colored backpack ?
Also, why all the paper 'Dixie'-style cups ?
Don't they usually store those beside the large upside-down drink jugs, those 4-6 gallon ones ?
Omo.

That has to be a supply closet. No one can work with barely any room between wall and table/desk??


I see the backpack.
What were those figure posters on the wall?

 

[Chimera]

@Luna20 : Don't know. Looks like posters of miners ? Imo.
The black nylon-looking square accessory in the left front, on the desk, looks like a Yeti Daytrip Lunch Bag. They're 80.00 $ at Dicks' Sporting Goods.