IAN a timeline person, please feel free to add or correct. Most notably, I do not have dates, argh!
Monday, 9/16?
*Sheriff Stiles is deposed wrt a civil suit brought by a victim (V) of sexual assault (SA) in Judge Mullin’s chambers. That victim alleges that the SA took place in Judge Mullin’s chambers, where the convicted perpetrator (CP) told her that there are no cameras. CP would know about security because he is in the Sheriff’s Office (SO), which protects judges and courthouses. V is seeking damages against CP and SO, which includes Stiles because he is the elected Sheriff, who oversees the deputy sheriffs under him.
NB1: In this case, the state (commonwealth?) proved its criminal case against the CP. V is seeking damages in a civil action.
NB2: during depositions, witnesses can be read testimony or be shown evidence that they may not be familiar with. Depositions are part of the discovery process, so witnesses can be exposed to potential evidence that even the witness’ attorney may not know about. Not sure if this is relevant in this case, but it is worth mentioning.
Thursday, 9/19, morning/early afternoon
*Sheriff Stiles (SS), Judge Mullins, and court staff enjoy lunch together. It seemed to be an ordinary day, except for the fact that SS seemed unusually quiet, according to one source (?)
Thursday, 9/19, after lunch
Court staff are gathered in the anteroom to Judge Mullin’s chambers. Judge and Sheriff enter anteroom and announce they have some private to discuss. Extraneous parties exit antechamber. Shortly afterwards, shots are heard by court staff. Later reports by local media indicate that an altercation between Sheriff and Judge was caught on camera. The two parties are seen exchanging cell phones in Judge Mullin’s inner chambers; then Sheriff is seen moving around Judge’s desk and firing several times.
Thursday, 9/19, after shots fired
Multiple 911 calls are reported, including one self-reported from a responding officer. Timeline not clear, but facts reported: life-saving measures applied to Judge Mullin, to no avail; Sheriff Stines surrenders without incident. Local school(s)? On lock down
Thursday, 9/19, evening
School students released. Local DA recuses self. Sheriff in custody. Motive sought. Alternative venue and judge sought for arraignment of Sheriff on first degree murder charges since Judge Mullin would have been the presiding judge on this matter under ordinary circumstances.
Friends, WS, please feel free to edit/add/correct this rough draft of a timeline. Ty!
Edited for clarity re: venue *and* judge sought for arraignment