Kentucky - Judge killed, sheriff arrested in Letcher County courthouse shooting - Sep. 19, 2024 # 3

[Live_and_Learn]

When he walked in he did. He also mouthed what looked like "I love you honey". Starting at 14:50 in the video posted up-thread.

Good catch! To me it looked like maybe even "I love you guys."

 

[Live_and_Learn]

DBM (Double posted)

 

[Friday Fan]

Relieved!!
I kept checking and checking..

 

[Angelcat13]

This article from MSN seems to have the previously posted article along with a fair amount of additional info.

MSN

 

[LadyL]

This article from MSN seems to have the previously posted article along with a fair amount of additional info.

MSN

from the article:

... Bartley offered a similar line after Monday's hearing.

"Let the story be told in the courtroom," he said. "What's online, all these social media posts, everybody's opinion about this case — it's a grain of salt. This is a complex case, but we believe there will be a very complete defense for Mr. Stines and we look forward to putting that on for him."

 

[PrairieWind]

from the article:

... Bartley offered a similar line after Monday's hearing.

"Let the story be told in the courtroom," he said. "What's online, all these social media posts, everybody's opinion about this case — it's a grain of salt. This is a complex case, but we believe there will be a very complete defense for Mr. Stines and we look forward to putting that on for him."

Sounds like they know they aren't going to get him off of these charges, but will at least let his story of why it happened be told.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Sounds like they know they aren't going to get him off of these charges, but will at least let his story of why it happened be told.

I'm not a lawyer so I don't know what you're hearing that I'm not, but when I watched the video of his defense attorney speaking, I had the complete opposite impression. Especially his emphasis of it being a complex story, connected to earlier depos on the other case, and a story that will be "hard to tell". I mean it's possible he's just being dramatic to give that exact impression.

 

[tlcya]

This article from MSN seems to have the previously posted article along with a fair amount of additional info.

MSN

this is what I found most interseting in the linked article:

During the arraignment Monday, Bartley said his client has "a compelling defense." A deposition Stines gave in a separate federal lawsuit days prior to the September shooting is a part of that, according to Bartley.
[snip]
"I do believe that that is a piece," Bartley said. "This is a large story. It's a story that, in some ways, is difficult to tell. We look forward to sharing a more complete version of that as we go through this judicial process."
MSN

not a phone call? The deposition in the civil case his client gave is part of his compelling defense? MOO THIS is the steaming hot tea I am waiting for. JMO the sheriff's daughter is a red herring in this.

 

[Mamamerced]

Exactly!!!!

Eta: And to play into the daughter theory, I've wondered if it was favor trading until it involved the sheriff's daughter? I know it's wild but, maybe but not that wild since I think we've all been thinking it.
I'm holding out hope the victim is truly a victim, or only a perceived threat but it's a real possibility he was a big player in something else the sheriff became aware of or was privy to and he had a breaking point.

Just jumping off your post/thought here. Corruption is real, especially in small-ish towns where LE and the Judiciary are buddies in the same clubs, etc. A great read on small town entrenched corruption involving the prominent ones is MEAN JUSTICE by Edward Hume, about the town I grew up in and so many of those involved often sat at our dinner table with my father, a judge.

 

[Angelcat13]

from the article:

... Bartley offered a similar line after Monday's hearing.

"Let the story be told in the courtroom," he said. "What's online, all these social media posts, everybody's opinion about this case — it's a grain of salt. This is a complex case, but we believe there will be a very complete defense for Mr. Stines and we look forward to putting that on for him."

I am re-posting the article that I previously posted early this morning because I wanted to highlight some comments/information that raise some questions for me. I realize that Jeremy Bartley is Stines' defense attorney so his comments must be viewed with that in mind. However, some of his comments, along with some of the additional information in the article makes me very interested in finding out what details may come to light as this case continues to unfold.

Former Kentucky sheriff arraigned on murder charge in shooting of judge in chambers

More than two months after the fatal shooting of Letcher County Judge Kevin Mullins, ex-Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines was back in court Monday.

www.usatoday.com

Bartley's comments:

• His client has "a compelling defense."
• The timing of the deposition is "certainly something that's going to be crucial in this case."
• "This is a large story. It's a story that, in some ways, is difficult to tell. We look forward to sharing a more complete version of that as we go through this judicial process."
• "The 24-second video shown in court…does not offer enough context and additional footage should paint a clearer picture." He said he "has not yet seen the full video".
• The shooting occurred in the heat of the moment due to "extreme emotional disturbance", however they "do not concede"' this is a manslaughter case, and they planned to put on a full defense.

So…

• Did the deposition have anything to do with Stines' killing Mullins or was the timing simply an added stressor or coincidence?
• The Commonwealth's Attorney said that no additional charges beyond murder of a public official were expected against Stines. (To me, this sounds like there is no evidence to indicate that Stines was involved in anything criminal either related to the sexual assault charges against Ben Fields or anything else.)
• The deposition was regarding a civil suit relative to the conviction on STATE charges against Ben Fields. Some of the offenses Fields was convicted of occurred in the Judge's chambers in 2021-2022. He was convicted in 2023 and sentenced in January 2024.
• "The federal case is still pending." Does this statement refer to the federal CIVIL lawsuit or is Fields still facing federal CRIMINAL charges? If Fields is still facing federal CRIMINAL charges, why is this case still pending? Was he (Fields) talking/cooperating? If so, who was he talking about?
• "This is a large story…(that is) difficult to tell." Is this just the posturing of a defense attorney or is there really some large, dark story to be told?
• What else is on the "full video"? And WHY were cameras installed in the Judge's chambers after the arrest of Fields? Who authorized the installation of the cameras? Who was aware of the cameras? Who was monitoring the video?

 

[Elley Mae]

this is what I found most interseting in the linked article:

During the arraignment Monday, Bartley said his client has "a compelling defense." A deposition Stines gave in a separate federal lawsuit days prior to the September shooting is a part of that, according to Bartley.
[snip]
"I do believe that that is a piece," Bartley said. "This is a large story. It's a story that, in some ways, is difficult to tell. We look forward to sharing a more complete version of that as we go through this judicial process."
MSN

not a phone call? The deposition in the civil case his client gave is part of his compelling defense? MOO THIS is the steaming hot tea I am waiting for. JMO the sheriff's daughter is a red herring in this.

Idk why but I think the judges chamber’s being used by BF for the sexual assaults may have been known to the judge.
I’m still confused as to why stines had charges brought against him for what his minion did. Do all bosses of ppl charged with crime get charges too. Weird

Jmo

 

[OldAce]

Idk why but I think the judges chamber’s being used by BF for the sexual assaults may have been known to the judge.
I’m still confused as to why stines had charges brought against him for what his minion did. Do all bosses of ppl charged with crime get charges too. Weird

Jmo

This is the typical "hit the deep pockets.." That will settle.. that are insured... Include the sheriff in the suit in his official capacity as not training/supervising to get in, then settle with the county who is liable for him and get the check from the bonding/insurance company....It is just "bizness", nothing personal. Done everyday somewhere in the US.

 

[Friday Fan]

Idk why but I think the judges chamber’s being used by BF for the sexual assaults may have been known to the judge.
I’m still confused as to why stines had charges brought against him for what his minion did. Do all bosses of ppl charged with crime get charges too. Weird

Jmo

Stines was not charged with a crime in the assault case.

This was a separate civil suit against the sheriff's department for lack of supervision.

Yes, many workplace settings are sued when something goes wrong.

 

[Ontario Mom]

So, this is new info.

- Stines was kicked out of his house by his wife, the night before the shooting.
- He tried to go see his daughter before going to the courthouse, she didn't want to see him.
- When he called her from the judge's phone, she DID answer.

 

[iamshadow21]

So, this is new info.

- Stines was kicked out of his house by his wife, the night before the shooting.
- He tried to go see his daughter before going to the courthouse, she didn't want to see him.
- When he called her from the judge's phone, she DID answer.

That increases the chance this is DV related, IMO.

 

[Friday Fan]

• "The federal case is still pending." Does this statement refer to the federal CIVIL lawsuit or is Fields still facing federal CRIMINAL charges? If Fields is still facing federal CRIMINAL charges, why is this case still pending? Was he (Fields) talking/cooperating? If so, who was he talking about?
• "This is a large story…(that is) difficult to tell." Is this just the posturing of a defense attorney or is there really some large, dark story to be told?

I do not believe federal criminal charges were filed against Fields. (Double jeopardy)
I am kinda surprised the civil suit is in federal court, but there must be a reason.

Defense attorneys are not obligated to tell the truth. (Jose Baez - Casey Anthony case. "Cayley drowned and Casey's father disposed of the body")

 

[*LD*]

So Dad was upset his daughter ignored him but she was willing to speak to the Judge. . .

 

[Rosiebones]

So, this is new info.

- Stines was kicked out of his house by his wife, the night before the shooting.
- He tried to go see his daughter before going to the courthouse, she didn't want to see him.
- When he called her from the judge's phone, she DID answer.

As I have said before, I think the mother and daughter were were seeking advice on how to get him help such as an involuntary placement and the daughter was the person reaching out to the judge. As was said before the judge couldn't actually act outside of channels but he could have counseled the mother and daughter as steps they had to take.MOO MOO MOO MOO

 

[Ontario Mom]

As I have said before, I think the mother and daughter were were seeking advice on how to get him help such as an involuntary placement and the daughter was the person reaching out to the judge. As was said before the judge couldn't actually act outside of channels but he could have counseled the mother and daughter as steps they had to take.MOO MOO MOO MOO

While anything is possible I suppose, I'm curious how you arrived at such an extreme as an involuntary placement?

 

[Rosiebones]

While anything is possible I suppose, I'm curious how you arrived at such an extreme as an involuntary placement?

The reports of his more quiet, withdrawn behavior, rapid and large weight loss. The increase of significant stressors in his life like the deposition. We have no reports of his home life, or relationships, it is possible his behavior was much more difficult at home and they were seeking help for him which he was resisting. His daughter and wife did attend his court appearances so it appears that they care about him and want to support him.MOO MOO MOO MOO