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

[Seattle1]

12/6/24

It doesn't follow Judge Mullins would still be on the bench years later if the allegations had any credibility. Tape recording with police and plaintiff was in discovery. MOO

 

[tlcya]

12/6/24

It doesn't follow Judge Mullins would still be on the bench years later if the allegations had any credibility. Tape recording with police and plaintiff was in discovery. MOO

agree. It is ludicrous to think that video evidence existed of the judge behaving improperly as suggested and that he was not removed, charged, or even named in the civil suit. MOO if such a tape existed he wouldn't have been on the bench.

ETA if I am understanding the producer correctly she heard an audio tape of the plaintiff in the civil suit talking about having seen video of the judge behaving improperly. If that woman had such evidence it would have come out in the criminal trial of Fields and she would have also used it to further her civil suit. Personally, I think she was hoping to blackmail the judge and that went south when she could not produce said video evidence. JMO

 

[jepop]

12/6/24

It doesn't follow Judge Mullins would still be on the bench years later if the allegations had any credibility. Tape recording with police and plaintiff was in discovery. MOO

Always have my truck bed of salt at the ready when Ashley Banfield takes centre stage.

 

[Rosiebones]

Well. it would explain why he was kicked out of the house. MOO MOO MOO

 

[tlcya]

Well. it would explain why he was kicked out of the house. MOO MOO MOO

what about allegations against Judge Mullins would have resulted in the Sheriff being asked to leave his home by his wife? Not following you.

 

[Bounceycat]

Well. it would explain why he was kicked out of the house. MOO MOO MOO

I'm sorry, I don't follow. Why would Mullins being accused of this result in Stines being kicked out of his house the night before?

 

[PrairieWind]

In my opinion we have to be careful considering this new information.
The witness said she saw a video. Where is the video? Why wasn't the judge arrested? Or at the very least removed from the bench while an investigation was going on? Why would the Sheriff say they were trying to kidnap his wife and kid? I'm not saying it is not true. If it is true I am shocked that the judge was still on the bench.

I think we would have to know more about how the victim says she saw this.

 

[mom2chloe]

I think we would have to know more about how the victim says she saw this.

I am curious if this victim was a participant and that is how she has first hand knowledge? IMO

 

[tlcya]

I am curious if this victim was a participant and that is how she has first hand knowledge? IMO

from what we heard described she said she had seen it. If she claimed to have been a participant I think she would have stated that rather than "I saw a video". JMO

I am with everyone else. The woman was in active addiction when Deputy Fields raped/coerced her. IME addicts are often in a victim mindset where nothing is within their control except the need to obtain more drugs. I would need to know who showed her this tape or had it in their possession and how she came to be shown this video before I will believe in such a video's existence.

 

[Rosiebones]

what about allegations against Judge Mullins would have resulted in the Sheriff being asked to leave his home by his wife? Not following you.

Mea Culpa,mea culpa, mea culpa. Got my guys mixed up.

 

[tlcya]

Mea Culpa,mea culpa, mea culpa. Got my guys mixed up.

no worries, this is such an odd case it's hard to keep it all sorted

 

[fsngruv]

I think we would have to know more about how the victim says she saw this.

From what I heard it sounds like the interviewer asks her that and she says fields is the guy who showed her.

Anyone else think it's weird fields was sentenced to 6 months of jail time after his conviction, when the minimum sentence for one of his convictions would be more like at least a year in jail? Just odd. Seems like it could be possible in that county, if you have connections either there is no charges, and if there are they are ridiculously light. Just my opinion.

 

[fsngruv]

In my own experience working in the legal field in a small southern town, I've heard judges banish people from their county, sentence people to church, or make other seemingly corrupt or unconstitutional rulings. I'm not even kidding. Some circles have talked about what to do about judges like that, and the reply is often, if you go after a judge you might as well leave the county and go practice in another state. Which was surprising to me. Someone asked, so judges can just do whatever they want?? Pretty much, as long as they're in this county. That's just my small town experience so it doesn't mean anything, but I can't help but apply that experience when I hear about this case.

 

[Seattle1]

From what I heard it sounds like the interviewer asks her that and she says fields is the guy who showed her.

Anyone else think it's weird fields was sentenced to 6 months of jail time after his conviction, when the minimum sentence for one of his convictions would be more like at least a year in jail? Just odd. Seems like it could be possible in that county, if you have connections either there is no charges, and if there are they are ridiculously light. Just my opinion.

The Judge sentenced Fields to 7 yrs -- the result suspending all but 6 months for supervised probation was part of a plea agreement.

Offender Information - Kentucky Department of Corrections - Offender Online Lookup System

kool.corrections.ky.gov

Former Letcher Co. deputy receives sentence

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

www.wymt.com

Jan 4, 2024

WHITESBURG, Ky. (WYMT) - 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.

ETA: More on sentence & additional allegations by Adkins at link below...

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

 

[tlcya]

From what I heard it sounds like the interviewer asks her that and she says fields is the guy who showed her.

Anyone else think it's weird fields was sentenced to 6 months of jail time after his conviction, when the minimum sentence for one of his convictions would be more like at least a year in jail? Just odd. Seems like it could be possible in that county, if you have connections either there is no charges, and if there are they are ridiculously light. Just my opinion.

If Fields had such damning video evidence of Mullins doing the same basic crime the deputy was ultimately convicted of why would he not produce it to try to bargain for even less jail time? I would think his defense attorney would have used that as a major bargaining chip and the judge would have been taken down along with Mr. Fields?

Another reason I tend to disbelieve the civil suit plaintiff about this. Also, video of Fields and this plaintiff was key evidence against him in the criminal matter. If the state had access to video from the chambers, would they not have also located this one alleged to show the judge?

 

[fsngruv]

If Fields had such damning video evidence of Mullins doing the same basic crime the deputy was ultimately convicted of why would he not produce it to try to bargain for even less jail time? I would think his defense attorney would have used that as a major bargaining chip and the judge would have been taken down along with Mr. Fields?

Another reason I tend to disbelieve the civil suit plaintiff about this. Also, video of Fields and this plaintiff was key evidence against him in the criminal matter. If the state had access to video from the chambers, would they not have also located this one alleged to show the judge?

Probably because the feds would need to get involved and they would all possibly lose their jobs, nevermind the legal ramifications, because if these allegations were/are true then literally every single case the judge ever made a judgement on or was involved in would have to be recalled, if not completely turned over. What reasonable state prosecutor would risk that because of sex favors performed by drug addicts, criminals, etc.??

 

[Chimera]

If Fields had such damning video evidence of Mullins doing the same basic crime the deputy was ultimately convicted of why would he not produce it to try to bargain for even less jail time? I would think his defense attorney would have used that as a major bargaining chip and the judge would have been taken down along with Mr. Fields?

Another reason I tend to disbelieve the civil suit plaintiff about this. Also, video of Fields and this plaintiff was key evidence against him in the criminal matter. If the state had access to video from the chambers, would they not have also located this one alleged to show the judge?

Bbm.
This ^^^
Per usual, came here to get more clarification.
Thanks for the updates, everyone.

https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/witness-kentucky-judge-mullins-traded-favors-for-sex/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co

Without the video in question; Sabrina Adkin's testimony is just hot air.
Omo.

 

[Seattle1]

Probably because the feds would need to get involved and they would all possibly lose their jobs, nevermind the legal ramifications, because if these allegations were/are true then literally every single case the judge ever made a judgement on or was involved in would have to be recalled, if not completely turned over. What reasonable state prosecutor would risk that because of sex favors performed by drug addicts, criminals, etc.??

No feds were involved in the criminal prosecution of former deputy Fields. Judge Mullins was at the bottom of the pole (district court) and didn't prosecute high level cases or preside over Circuit Court. Mullins essentially had a fulltime job pleading out addicts to ARC treatment centers. Reportedly, Adkins is a sick woman who fell into addiction later in life and is still struggling. IMO, even the sentencing Judge called out the wild allegations in naming the court system as another victim here!

Judge Coleman, acting a special Letcher County Circuit Judge in the case, said consequences of the case reach far beyond its direct victims.

“I recognize Miss Adkins is a victim,” Coleman said. “I also believe the criminal justice system Is a victim in this case. When people behave this way as Mr. Fields has behaved, it does create a story people can use when they talk about judges, lawyers, officers, and the court system.”

1/10/24 - Mountain Eagle

 

[Angelcat13]

I completely agree.

I'll add a few more questions to the list:

Who showed her this video?
Why was she shown the video?
When was she shown the video?
Who else besides the judge did she see on the video?
Who has known all this time that she made that statement about seeing the judge on video?
When exactly was this interview recorded?
Has this woman told anyone else who she saw on this video?
Why are we only hearing about this now?
Who installed the video camera?
Why was the video camera installed?
Where are all the other videos from this camera?

I think there are folks in this jurisdiction that have every single answer to all of our questions.

I've been asking the who, why, where about the cameras in the chambers from the beginning. Adding my previous questions - who knew the cameras were there? Who had access to review the video, etc. Has it ever been officially stated if Judge Mullins and/or Sheriff Stines knew the cameras were there?

 

[fsngruv]

No feds were involved in the criminal prosecution of former deputy Fields. Judge Mullins was at the bottom of the pole (district court) and didn't prosecute high level cases or preside over Circuit Court. Mullins essentially had a fulltime job pleading out addicts to ARC treatment centers. Reportedly, Adkins is a sick woman who fell into addiction later in life and is still struggling. IMO, even the sentencing Judge called out the wild allegations in naming the court system as another victim here!

Judge Coleman, acting a special Letcher County Circuit Judge in the case, said consequences of the case reach far beyond its direct victims.

“I recognize Miss Adkins is a victim,” Coleman said. “I also believe the criminal justice system Is a victim in this case. When people behave this way as Mr. Fields has behaved, it does create a story people can use when they talk about judges, lawyers, officers, and the court system.”

1/10/24 - Mountain Eagle

You're right, the feds weren't involved, but the local prosecutors couldn't legitimately pursue the case without recusing themselves. Judge Mullins definitely did plead a lot of addicts out, so that's for sure. Wonder why. Lol. Anyway. No one ever believes victims if they have a shady past.
Of course the judge is a victim here, just as Adkins is also victim. Neither should be dismissed because of alleged past bad behavior.