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

[Twick]

I'm not sure if it's usual, but considering both of them know this man better than any of us do (and they also know why he did what he did), it says a lot to me that they both felt comfortable enough to do that.

jmo

His victim seems to have felt safe around him too - until he died.

 

[Chimera]

His victim seems to have felt safe around him too - until he died.

Yep.
Some 'friend' Stines was.
Had lunch together, talked and worked in the same environment.
Until Stines decided murder was the right option to handle a disagreement.
Unbelievable.
Omo.

 

[Maat99]

It does seem that this sexual abuse pattern of behaviour is running parallel to this shooting so feel that it’s feasible to think they link in some way.

I agree. I am just torn on who exactly was participating. Judge? Sheriff? Both? I do think that the heat was on the sheriff. He was just deposed on the sex abuse stuff. If he thought his judge friend would protect him and that didn’t happen, and thus he was facing exposure...that to me is a better motive for murder than finding out the judge friend is up to no good. Plus it explains why Stines was so distraught for weeks and why he might feel he has nothing to lose.

 

[Ontario Mom]

His victim seems to have felt safe around him too - until he died.

Yes, I assume Mullins felt safe around him too, until he was being gunned down by him for reasons we're still not aware of. My only point was, his attorneys clearly felt safe enough around him to sit with him the way they did.

jmo

 

[PrairieWind]

I agree. I am just torn on who exactly was participating. Judge? Sheriff? Both? I do think that the heat was on the sheriff. He was just deposed on the sex abuse stuff. If he thought his judge friend would protect him and that didn’t happen, and thus he was facing exposure...that to me is a better motive for murder than finding out the judge friend is up to no good. Plus it explains why Stines was so distraught for weeks and why he might feel he has nothing to lose.

That doesn't make sense to me though. The deposition came from a federal lawsuit. Judge Mullins couldn't help with that. And the suit was about failure to supervise, etc, which would not have left Stines personally liable, but only in his capacity as Sheriff, which the County or State would cover. Perhaps there was much more to come out, but I don't think we have heard anything like that have we? But even if Stines was about to be named in something else, it doesnt seem to make sense to kill the Judge on camera, knowing he would spend the rest of his life in prison anyway. Whatever led to this, it seems to have been extremely personal to Stines.

 

[Maat99]

That doesn't make sense to me though. The deposition came from a federal lawsuit. Judge Mullins couldn't help with that. And the suit was about failure to supervise, etc, which would not have left Stines personally liable, but only in his capacity as Sheriff, which the County or State would cover. Perhaps there was much more to come out, but I don't think we have heard anything like that have we? But even if Stines was about to be named in something else, it doesnt seem to make sense to kill the Judge on camera, knowing he would spend the rest of his life in prison anyway. Whatever led to this, it seems to have been extremely personal to Stines.

Information gathered from a federal deposition can be used in a criminal case. And don’t you think if you were really angry at someone you would be more willing to kill them if you thought you were going to jail anyway?
I can’t get on board with Stines giving up his freedom because his friend committed a crime (even an hideous crime) and he was upset over it. Of course like you say, more information to come. But to me this action only makes sense if Stines thought his life was over anyway and he felt rightly or wrongly that Mullins was somehow responsible.

 

[Seattle1]

That doesn't make sense to me though. The deposition came from a federal lawsuit. Judge Mullins couldn't help with that. And the suit was about failure to supervise, etc, which would not have left Stines personally liable, but only in his capacity as Sheriff, which the County or State would cover. Perhaps there was much more to come out, but I don't think we have heard anything like that have we? But even if Stines was about to be named in something else, it doesnt seem to make sense to kill the Judge on camera, knowing he would spend the rest of his life in prison anyway. Whatever led to this, it seems to have been extremely personal to Stines.

I agree. Taking note this federal civil suit was 3 years old -- filed January 2022 and the plaintiff had Motioned/Canceled/Noticed Stines not less than three times before the deposition finally happened on Sept 11, 2024. (Plaintiff was incarcerated and canceled for her convenience).

Also, since the date of the civil lawsuit, Fields was criminally indicted, charged, convicted and sentenced in State Court-- all before this deposition. In fact, having entered jail to serve his sentence on Jan 5, 2024, Fields would have already been released from jail by the time of the Sept deposition too!

In other words, I don't think there were any secrets or unknowns not already revealed or discovered to Stines going in-- who also had three attorneys present with him at the deposition. I agree this was something Stines perceived very personal (real or imagined) between Mullins and himself. JMO

Former Letcher Co. deputy receives sentence

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

www.wymt.com

 

[Twick]

Yes, I assume Mullins felt safe around him too, until he was being gunned down by him for reasons we're still not aware of. My only point was, his attorneys clearly felt safe enough around him to sit with him the way they did.

jmo

People have a dangerous tendency to think that “one of us” is guaranteed to be safe. It’s a hard mindset to break.

 

[Chimera]

Information gathered from a federal deposition can be used in a criminal case. And don’t you think if you were really angry at someone you would be more willing to kill them if you thought you were going to jail anyway?
I can’t get on board with Stines giving up his freedom because his friend committed a crime (even an hideous crime) and he was upset over it. Of course like you say, more information to come. But to me this action only makes sense if Stines thought his life was over anyway and he felt rightly or wrongly that Mullins was somehow responsible.

Bbm.

Which might mean there is a lot more that could come out in the investigation ?
That actually sounds like a possible motive, more than has been revealed thus far.
Imo.

 

[Seattle1]

Update on the Federal Civil Lawsuit -- Adkins v Fields et., al
CIVIL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 7:22-cv-00007-REW-EBA

Following the shooting of Mullins, a Joint Motion was filed for a Stay and Extension of Deadlines, and the Court VACATED and all proceedings and discovery for 60 days (Entered:09/23/2024).

Clearly, there was nothing in the Mullins murder investigation to indicate a connection to this Civil Suit or hold up the joint settlement negotiations by the parties. This was never a case going to Trial but a case for $$$$ settlement by the County Underwriter.

More recently, the Court granted the Joint Motion for Settlement Conference and
ORDER re 125: counsel submit to undersigned separate, confidential statements which specify the irrespective settlement positions. Each statement be furnished only to undersigned and not to other side. The statements shall not be filed with Clerk or presiding judge. Said statements be transmitted by email to [email protected]. Instatements, counsel provide candid assessment of strengths and weaknesses of both sides, an appraisal of issues such as liability, and anticipated economic cost of further preparation and litigation through trial. Signed by Magistrate Judge Edward B. Atkinson 2/6/2025. (TDA)cc: COR (Entered: 02/06/2025)

ORDER: due to expected inclement weather, IT IS ORDERED that the settlement conference scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. be CANCELLED. Court will issue a subsequent order rescheduling the settlement conference. Signed by Magistrate Judge Edward B. Atkins on 2/10/2025.(TDA)cc: COR (Entered: 02/10/2025)

ORDER: matter shall come before undersigned for a settlement conference on
April 29, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. in US Courthouse at PIKEVILLE, KY. The conference will be conducted in-person, and all participants must attend in-person. Signed by Magistrate Judge Edward B. Atkins on 2/11/2025. (TDA) cc: COR & Patty Stockham via US Mail (Entered: 02/11/2025)

Also, per the Federal Docket, on 2/7/25-- the defense Attorney added the depositions for Fields, Plaintiff, and Stines to the Documents now available to access.

CM/ECF U.S. Eastern District of Kentucky Version 6.3.2

 

[twall]

COURT TV

Analyzing newly-released video of Sheriff Mickey Stines in Judge Kevin Mullins' chambers about 2.5 hours before the sheriff killed the judge.

www.facebook.com

 

[twall]

Sheriff Mickey Stines Seen Before and After Shooting Judge in New Video

New video connected to the killing of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins by Sheriff Shawn 'Mickey' Stines shows the before and after of the event.

www.courttv.com

 

[itsdev]

Sheriff Mickey Stines Seen Before and After Shooting Judge in New Video

New video connected to the killing of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins by Sheriff Shawn 'Mickey' Stines shows the before and after of the event.

www.courttv.com

It is blowing my mind how much video is released. This case is wild.

 

[Luna20]

COURT TV

Analyzing newly-released video of Sheriff Mickey Stines in Judge Kevin Mullins' chambers about 2.5 hours before the sheriff killed the judge.

www.facebook.com

Did they go to lunch before or after they were talking in his office with a few others in this clip?

 

[Muddy K]

Sheriff Mickey Stines Seen Before and After Shooting Judge in New Video

New video connected to the killing of Kentucky Judge Kevin Mullins by Sheriff Shawn 'Mickey' Stines shows the before and after of the event.

www.courttv.com

@twall thanks for posting this.

In the footage from inside the judge's chambers, the judge is lighting a cigarette before signing a document, his clerk is waiting for him to sign, and the other three men are hanging out, also waiting. It's conspicuous to me how intensely Stines is picking at his chin, or whatever part of his face it is, maybe stroking his beard. It seems truly frenetic, keyed up, but I realize it could also be nothing more than a personal tic.

It's impossible to view any "pre-shooting" footage objectively, however, knowing what was to happen later. Gah! I desperately wish we had audio.

 

[Chimera]

@twall thanks for posting this.

In the footage from inside the judge's chambers, the judge is lighting a cigarette before signing a document, his clerk is waiting for him to sign, and the other three men are hanging out, also waiting. It's conspicuous to me how intensely Stines is picking at his chin, or whatever part of his face it is, maybe stroking his beard. It seems truly frenetic, keyed up, but I realize it could also be nothing more than a personal tic.

It's impossible to view any "pre-shooting" footage objectively, however, knowing what was to happen later. Gah! I desperately wish we had audio.

Bbm.
Agreed .

Wondering and theorizing here... was Stines a drug user himself, or was he on any antidepressants, etc. ?
Something that made him agitated.
I think that not all meds work the same on every person and some may show adverse effects. Imo.

 

[PrairieWind]

@twall thanks for posting this.

In the footage from inside the judge's chambers, the judge is lighting a cigarette before signing a document, his clerk is waiting for him to sign, and the other three men are hanging out, also waiting. It's conspicuous to me how intensely Stines is picking at his chin, or whatever part of his face it is, maybe stroking his beard. It seems truly frenetic, keyed up, but I realize it could also be nothing more than a personal tic.

It's impossible to view any "pre-shooting" footage objectively, however, knowing what was to happen later. Gah! I desperately wish we had audio.

Hard to say. The officer next to him has his hand constantly fidgeting. The clerk or whoever is beside the judge is constantly fidgety with that document. Are they tics or evidence that all are nervous?

 

[Leilei]

Really??
I guess he's trying anything he can to get out of this.
Counsel for the former Kentucky sheriff accused of shooting Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins alerted the court that they’re preparing an insanity defense.

https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky/former-kentucky-sheriff-claims-insanity-in-shooting-death-of-judge/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwY2xjawI0aOhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQyUiqmIzkzPphJ6TBbx-UlYVNefQG94o_gaetZPYQ0DLM-Y-Fq5BEdqwA_aem_WLB5PKR-0rwSTss1YcDAew

 

[vls12345]

Well, an insanity defense goes against everything the defense initially signaled sincethey said there was a "reason". Imo.

 

[Chimera]

Well since Stines wasn't insane before he decided to murder someone(as far as anyone knows) ... I doubt he's insane now.
Iirc, an insanity defense isn't easy to prove, is it ?
Smh.
Imo.