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

[MassGuy]

Court tv describing the video. Stines refuses to look at video as it’s played. Appears to glance out of the corner of his eye. He looks down at the point in question, and audible tears and gasps in the court.

 

[Leilei]

Omg. They just showed the video.

I can't believe it's still up on Youtube. That was just awful. Stines made absolutely sure that he was dead, right before he opened the door, shooting him AGAIN.
ETA: It was AFTER he opened the door, he shot him AGAIN under the desk.

 

[MTW2011]

Their Lead investigator doesn’t know even SOME of the names of the others who were present for this “hearing” or meeting the defense is saying happened before the shooting?

seems like the State could’ve refreshed him of that information and they could’ve avoided so many these defense questions. Certainly sounds like the defense will be trying to argue about investigative techniques and protocols….and when their Lead investigator can’t even say who was present or not present, well….

(Not saying they did anything wrong or against protocol, just that if you give the defense an inch, they’ll try to take a mile….but JMOO)

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

Well I am glad I was unable to logon and see that. That seems amazing to have shown it in open court at this point? Whose decision was that one wonders? Was any notice given of what was about to occur? That it would be displayed? Is someone trying to ‘throw’ the entire case? Seems rather suspect IMO.

IMO at this point the sheriff’s apparent or possible motive seems irrelevant. IMO to have taken deliberate and calculated thought and the accused’s idea of delivering measured justice should help with the case. Unless the prosecutor and district attorney or someone has just jeopardized their entire case by having shown the video. Unbelievable. SMH. IANAL. MOO

 

[twall]

Stines tried to call his daughter from his phone and the judge's phone. Judge had Stines daughter's # on his phone.

 

[vls12345]

Bringing up the daughter’s phone, daughter’s number in live stream.

 

[MassGuy]

Stines tried to call his daughter from his phone and the judge's phone. Judge had Stines daughter's # on his phone.

Yeah, so there’s our motive. Not specifically, but related to something with the daughter.

It does jibe with the rumors.

 

[fred&edna]

I am more than concerned about the investigators within the KSP. ETA: They should have taken the daughter's phone.

jmo

 

[Leilei]

They don't have the phone records yet?
Stines was previously seated in front of the judge's desk prior to looking at the phone. After he looked at the phone, he stood up, and seconds later started shooting.
(Typing as I watch on Court TV)

 

[Leilei]

Yeah, so there’s our motive. Not specifically, but related to something with the daughter.

It does jibe with the rumors.

Stine's expression in court certainly changed when his daughter was brought up, IMO.

 

[FromGermany1]

Yes, I agree. The idea that Stines went to lunch with his friend of 20 years, dined outdoors at a street side cafe and returned with Mullins to the Courthouse only to shoot him dead just overwhelms my brain! And there a whistleblower programs if he believed Mullins was involved in illegal activity that needed to be stopped. Vigilante justice was not the law that Stiles was sworn to uphold. MOO

At least Stines waited until he could not endanger anyone other than Mullins.

 

[MassGuy]

I took screenshots from the video, but I’ll only post the last one because it says the most. Stines fired from in front of Mullins, walked around, shot him again, then as he was leaving went back and did this:

 

[legalmomma]

Under cross examination the detective said Sheriff Stines tried calling his daughter from his phone and Judge Mullins phone. And that Stines daughter’s cell number was on judge Mullins’ phone.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1841165788193177952

 

[justtrish]

At least Stines waited until he could not endanger anyone other than Mullins.

I am really curious what occurred between lunch and the shooting. Did the sheriff learn something, see something, talk to someone that told him something or was this just a slowly brewing thing and after this lunch they had the sheriff finally snapped and decided to do this.

 

[twall]

I took screenshots from the video, but I’ll only post the last one because it says the most. Stines fired from in front of Mullins, walked around, shot him again, then as he was leaving went back and did this:

View attachment 534643

I was thinking the "chambers" would be much larger!

 

[FromGermany1]

Yeah, so there’s our motive. Not specifically, but related to something with the daughter.

It does jibe with the rumors.

... although Stines' wife has publicly denied such connection already. MOO

 

[cocomod]

I had the unfortune of seeing the video. For those not wanting to watch, don't! But, I can see now why so many shots. The judge was trying and successfully trying to avoid being shot for a few of those shots. It sounds to me like the rumors may possibly come in to play with regards to his motive. Prayers for both families as this devastation doesn't and won't stop with a conviction. The pain will last a lifetime.

 

[vls12345]

Defense arguing manslaughter vs. murder. Extreme emotional response mentioned.

 

[FromGermany1]

I am really curious what occurred between lunch and the shooting. Did the sheriff learn something, see something, talk to someone that told him something or was this just a slowly brewing thing and after this lunch they had the sheriff finally snapped and decided to do this.

I read, that Stines was very taciturn during lunch. Observers noticed this, it seems. If it was like that, his mind was already working on things, I believe. MOO

 

[Leilei]

I took screenshots from the video, but I’ll only post the last one because it says the most. Stines fired from in front of Mullins, walked around, shot him again, then as he was leaving went back and did this:

View attachment 534643

That office is very small. Stines knew that Mullins wasn't escaping and had zero chance of surviving. I didn't see any evidence of Stines "snapping" when watching the video. It appears to me that he just wanted proof of something, and once he got it, he started shooting. This is flat out first degree murder, premeditated. All my opinion.