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

[Sillybilly]

Court Tv just released more video. Starts before lunch in a conference room where a few people were working. Stines steps in, Mullins comes behind him. Stines doesn’t sit down or stay.

Also footage of Stines walking through a long hallway. He looks anxious.

Then the group in the conference room and Mullins leave for lunch. Stines wasn’t in the group and it didn’t show Stines going in restaurant.

Could we please have a link to the video Luna20.
Thanks !!

 

[Knox]

Some of the new footage can be found in the linked video below. Also has interview with Stine’s attorney.

 

[dmac55]

Can any locals verify that smoking inside a public space is permitted there? I haven’t seen anyone smoking in a public building for years.

When we first saw the shooting video, members discussed the very small space they were in…
I always thought that was perhaps the unofficial smoking room in the building- with the window cracked a bit
Not “permitted”, happening anyways.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Some of the new footage can be found in the linked video below. Also has interview with Stine’s attorney.

In this video the judge is sitting there smoking with several other people in the room and the door wide open. It seems like this was a normal, everyday thing, whether it was "allowed" or not.

 

[fsngruv]

Krs 61.165 appears to prohibit smoking in public offices except by executive order or general assembly? I might be interpreting that incorrectly?

https://codes.findlaw.com/ky/title-viii-offices-and-officers/ky-rev-st-sect-61-165/

 

[Chimera]

Well we can all see from the video footage how the murder went down.
Purposeful and possibly premeditated as opposed to a sudden 'snap' ?
I think the justice system has Stines dead to rights, red-handed.
What made him give up his freedom, maybe forever.
Keeping something connected to Stines, from being revealed ?
Something egregious enough, that prison was preferable ?
Imo.

 

[PrairieWind]

Well we can all see from the video footage how the murder went down.
Purposeful and possibly premeditated as opposed to a sudden 'snap' ?
I think the justice system has Stines dead to rights, red-handed.
What made him give up his freedom, maybe forever.
Keeping something connected to Stines, from being revealed ?
Something egregious enough, that prison was preferable ?
Imo.

The video of the shooting speaks for itself. Unfortunately there is no audio. It is going to be very difficult to defend. I don't know that there is an excuse. But there IS a reason. There is a reason this murder happened in this way, in front of a camera that I think it is safe to say the Sheriff knew was there.

 

[Chimera]

The video of the shooting speaks for itself. Unfortunately there is no audio. It is going to be very difficult to defend. I don't know that there is an excuse. But there IS a reason. There is a reason this murder happened in this way, in front of a camera that I think it is safe to say the Sheriff knew was there.

Just a theory: Stines knew the cameras were recording --yes, I believe this is correct !

He of all people would know the layout and the security cameras of that courthouse.
In his own mind-- maybe he thinks that the motive behind Mullins' murder was so extremely damning.... that he felt he might 'walk' or be sentenced to a short term, once he (Stines) reveals his motive ?
As in a situation or past action on the part of Mullins, that would constitute a valid defense for the murder; which I'm not buying as a possible defense.
Nope.
Imo, it's not going to work that way, Stines.

Hmmm...
What do you all think ?

Still believe Stines needs to face the full brunt of the law, regardless of his reasoning.
If a perp is actively breaking and entering or attempting to assault/kidnap your loved one & you give him the business end of your handgun or clobber him with a vase or golf club -- your case may be a reasonable self-defense.

If someone did what you felt was a criminal act and you wait, & don't report it to anyone, and then kill him in the manner Stines did, you might not be so lucky no matter what went before.
Not saying judge Mullins did anything egregious, as we do not know yet.
But Stines did not have the right to be the judge/jury/executioner.

I'm leaning towards Stines 'silencing' Mullins about something Stines thinks will validate his actions -- that has yet to be revealed.
One can think of various criminal actions or professional disagreements that escalated or something; still, not an excuse.
It's not like Stines didn't know he could go through legal channels over whatever he thinks is a defense.
Omo.

 

[Seattle1]

3/11/25 --

Kentucky Sheriff...InsanityDefense​

Started streaming 64 minutes ago
Kentucky Sheriff...InsanityDefense... Vinnie takes a look at the Sheriff's defense in preparation for tonight's big interview with the Sheriff's lawyer at 9pm on VPI on CourtTV

 

[rogue ant]

Just a theory: Stines knew the cameras were recording --yes, I believe this is correct !

RSBM
Absolutely right he knew there were cameras. As did the rest of the staff IMO.

 

[Luna20]

Could we please have a link to the video Luna20.
Thanks !!

Let me see if I can track it down. I made reference to seeing it live on Court Tv.

Note: a new witness is going to be on CT tonight.

 

[Luna20]

Could we please have a link to the video Luna20.
Thanks !!

Sillybilly,

I’m not sure if the live airings are stored on the site. It was a featured segment on Court Tv last night with Vinnie. But it looks like Knox may have found it on YouTube below. What I saw was ‘new footage’.

Here is a link to the site.

Latest Crime and Trial News | Court TV

The latest trial coverage and crime news from Court TV, including breaking news, cold cases and major legal stories.

www.courttv.com

Some of the new footage can be found in the linked video below. Also has interview with Stine’s attorney.

 

[Luna20]

Will try again, im having technical issues.

Krs 61.165 appears to prohibit smoking in public offices except by executive order or general assembly? I might be interpreting that incorrectly?

https://codes.findlaw.com/ky/title-viii-offices-and-officers/ky-rev-st-sect-61-16general

[QUOTE="Ontario Mom, post: 1930554...ttached tanks, etc. There are safety measures

 

[Luna20]

There are two rooms in the courthouse that we now have footage of. The first one released was in Mullins office “very small space”.

The second is what was aired last night. I don’t know if it was a group of paralegals and attorneys working on a case. It was more like a conference room. Male and female present, and they were the ones seen leaving for the restaurant with Mullins.

Mullins was smoking in both rooms. That makes him susceptible to complaints. Even with the doors and windows open, the smell will still be detectable through vents and cracks.

Employees and the public in the building can have allergy attacks, attached tanks, etc. There are safety measures for that so I’m just curious why it looked so casual.

 

[Seattle1]

There are two rooms in the courthouse that we now have footage of. The first one released was in Mullins office “very small space”.

The second is what was aired last night. I don’t know if it was a group of paralegals and attorneys working on a case. It was more like a conference room. Male and female present, and they were the ones seen leaving for the restaurant with Mullins.

Will try again, im having technical issues.

Since OP is having technical issues linking any of the Court TV footage being described, here's both Monday's 'live' video link and also YouTube uploaded today, 3/11/25:

Vinnie Politan Investigates Episodes | Court TV

In this weekday series, Vinnie Politan looks at every angle of cases making headlines.

www.courttv.com

Video Analysis: Judge Kevin Mullins' Shooting | Vinnie Politan Investigates​

 

[Luna20]

Since OP is having technical issues linking any of the Court TV footage being described, here's both Monday's 'live' video link and also YouTube uploaded today, 3/11/25:

Vinnie Politan Investigates Episodes | Court TV

In this weekday series, Vinnie Politan looks at every angle of cases making headlines.

www.courttv.com

Video Analysis: Judge Kevin Mullins' Shooting | Vinnie Politan Investigates​

Thank you Seattle!

Are you watching the interview with the sheriff right now?

 

[worm]

I wonder what he was thinking as he circled the building before the shooting? The way he just calmly strolls around as the people are running around seems strange too.

 

[Seattle1]

Thank you Seattle!

Are you watching the interview with the sheriff right now?

No, but I watched Vinnie interview Jeremy Bartley -- Stines defense attorney. Bartley was Vinnie's guest for the full hour tonight.

 

[Luna20]

No, but I watched Vinnie interview Jeremy Bartley -- Stines defense attorney. Bartley was Vinnie's guest for the full hour tonight.

Oooops I meant Bartley. I watched it and have some questions. How quickly will the link be available to post?

 

[Seattle1]

Oooops I meant Bartley. I watched it and have some questions. How quickly will the link be available to post?

There's about 9 mins from the interview available now:

Stines' Lawyer: No 'Perry Mason' or 'Scooby Doo' Moments, Not a Whodunit

Jeremy Bartley said the case against client Mickey Stines isn't about who shot Judge Mullins, it's about the events surrounding the shooting.

www.courttv.com

Stines' Lawyer: No 'Perry Mason' or 'Scooby Doo' Moments, Not a Whodunit​

Joining Court TV's "Vinnie Politan Investigates," Jeremy Bartley clarified that the case against his client, Mickey Stines, is not about who shot Judge Mullins, it's about the events surrounding the shooting and the question of "Why?" (3/11/25) MORE

Bartley: Stines Sleepless, Increasingly Paranoid the Week He Shot Judge

Jeremy Bartley said Mickey Stines gave a deposition about a sextortion scandal days before the shooting and became increasingly paranoid.

www.courttv.com

Bartley: Stines Sleepless, Increasingly Paranoid the Week He Shot Judge​

Lawyer Jeremy Bartley said Stines gave a deposition the Monday before the shooting. The deposition was about a sextortion scandal involving illegal activity in the judge's chambers. Bartley said Stines became more paranoid through the week. (3/11/25) MORE

Attorney: Stines Believed Wife and Daughter Were in Imminent Danger

Jeremy Bartley, ex-Sheriff Mickey Stines' lawyer, told Vinnie Politan he thinks Stines' mental health was impaired when he killed Judge Mullins.

www.courttv.com

Attorney: Stines Believed Wife and Daughter Were in Imminent Danger​

Jeremy Bartley, ex-Sheriff Mickey Stines' lawyer, told Vinnie Politan he thinks Stines' mental health was impaired when he gunned down Judge Kevin Mullins. Bartley also said he believes there was an objective threat to his client's family. (3/11/25) MORE