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

[Seattle1]

IMO, not much has changed. Refresher on the community's reaction following the shooting:

Small town is rocked as their sheriff is jailed in the killing of a prominent judge

The preliminary investigation indicates Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines shot District Judge Kevin Mullins multiple times following an argument inside the courthouse.

www.wsaz.com

Updated: Sep. 20, 2024 at 8:54 PM PDT

 

[OldAce]

I posted the source of the "asked to leave" the family home info earlier today maybe a page or two back. It was from unnamed "sources" so I am not sure how much credence to give it.

"Asked to leave vs ""Got kicked out" sounds different..."

 

[LadyL]

See the Court TV YouTube video analysis link "following lunch."

The guest tells host Vinnie Politan that Mickey Stines and Michael Clark (local Preacher) were delivering food boxes to the community --a normal charitable event here. Minutes later, Stines enters the Courthouse and shoots the victim, Judge Mullins.

thanks I was wondering if it was a charity type thing

 

[LadyL]

I think there could be some truth to Mullins knowing something about Stines. Having read the deposition of Stines, I think what became clear is that Stines was grossly under- qualified for the role of County Sheriff but he was easily elected by his community. By under-qualified, I mean that Stines received no formal police training during his entire career and was even grandfathered from security training while serving as bailiff at the Courthouse for more than 14 years prior to running for Letcher County Sheriff! IMO, former Deputy Fields seemed the better fit for Sheriff-- and probably why Stines hired him (and/or had him hired as his deputy by the outgoing Sheriff). Of course, this was before Fields was known to be a convicted sexual offender. JMO

I agree - he is definitely hiding a lot IMO

 

[LadyL]

I have no clue if the pre-lunch pow wow was any sort of official meeting. It is too hard to gauge because I've never seen a judge's chambers that more closely resemble a broom closet or storage room rather than an office. IME when at court, whether at a hearing or in chambers, you are dressed appropriately. These individuals appear to be more casually attired than what would be considered professional for court purposes in my neck of the woods. JMO

There is a male at the bottom left of the in chambers screen who is vaping (dark blue or black T-shirt, tan khakis, tennis shoes). at that point in time Judge Mullins is not smoking. The judge then lights his own cigarette. source: 5:00 mark of this Vinnie P video

ETA also notice the guy in the blue and white checked shirt is smoking a cigarette.

we see one of the others - guy with glasses and plaid shirt smoking at 5:15 too

 

[jepop]

Relative to the insanity defense, beginning at about the 28:20 minute mark of the YT video, Vinnie is joined by Forensic Neuro-Psychologist Dr Judy Ho, and the attorney for the plaintiff in the civil lawsuit Ned P. What follows is some good insight here on Stines actions after his lunch when he returns in his truck to the Courthouse and re-enters the Courthouse, shoots Judge Mullins, and leaves the building for a few minutes before returning inside to surrender (not captured on released video).

Later, we see Stines being directed to the KSP vehicle and hear Stines reach out to other deputies about treating him fair, loosening his restraints and/ or opening the window, etc., sounding like a possible panic attack which again serves to negate his "insanity" defense and where he's most likely reacting to the offense he just committed.

IMO, there's far too much 'normal' behavior by Stines to invoke insanity but more likely his defense trying to justify his state of extreme emotional disturbance (EED) to mitigate his first-degree murder charge.

While I don't think any talking heads agree with Bartley's use of the 'insanity defense,' I think Bartley doesn't think he has anything to lose by proposing this defense. Clearly, anything less than life in prison will be a win for Stines defense team. JMO

Always seemed to me an insanity defense is about the best shot the defense have, though at this point, given everything I've seen and read regarding Stine's behaviour (as a layperson with no access to more details), any argument Stines was insane during the actual execution of Mullins, seems dodgy to me.

Ofcourse, we will see what the experts come up with if/when they evaluate.

Insanity did not work for Leticia Stauch in Colorado was it?. I believe the state's expert in that case countered the defense's expert effectively. If the requirements for Kentucky are similar, that the onus is on defense to show Stines was unable to distinguish right from wrong, then that seems a high bar to me. Jmo

 

[renah]

Always seemed to me an insanity defense is about the best shot the defense have, though at this point, given everything I've seen and read regarding Stine's behaviour (as a layperson with no access to more details), any argument Stines was insane during the actual execution of Mullins, seems dodgy to me.

Ofcourse, we will see what the experts come up with if/when they evaluate.

Insanity did not work for Leticia Stauch in Colorado was it?. I believe the state's expert in that case countered the defense's expert effectively. If the requirements for Kentucky are similar, that the onus is on defense to show Stines was unable to distinguish right from wrong, then that seems a high bar to me. Jmo

I totally agree. That's why I think nothing short of a brain tumor could be behind the Defense's decision to pursue an insanity defense--- but that presumes their belief in their client's innocence is genuine and not just desperate game play.

 

[Muddy K]

To see a murder happen at close range, through the lens of an apparently silent camera, and to see the plain intentionality of the murderer, is a rare thing indeed, at least in my experience. IMO, the only way to ever be able to understand what happened here is to know the actual reason it happened.

JMO, but it doesn't matter to me whether Stines is insane or not. In some singular instant before he lifted his gun, he made his decision. I want to know what informed that decison and what the decision actually was. If it was "insane" thinking, I want to know the crazy thought. If it was defensive thinking, I want to know the perceived threat.

Because I still can't believe that he actually followed through with it. I mean, obviously he did, but it was the ultimate act of aggression, fully irrevocable, the proverbial bridge too far, no coming back from it ever. He told himself something and then he acted. What could have been that compelling, that correct a decison to his way of thinking, whether rational or irrational?

If there is no ready answer to this question, then maybe an insanity defense is all that is left, but the story there then has to be even bigger, IMO, so huge that anyone with empathy could, for a fleeting second, imagine maybe doing the same thing.

Ugh. This astonishing case stays with me every day. I just really want to know the answers.

 

[Ontario Mom]

To see a murder happen at close range, through the lens of an apparently silent camera, and to see the plain intentionality of the murderer, is a rare thing indeed, at least in my experience. IMO, the only way to ever be able to understand what happened here is to know the actual reason it happened.

JMO, but it doesn't matter to me whether Stines is insane or not. In some singular instant before he lifted his gun, he made his decision. I want to know what informed that decison and what the decision actually was. If it was "insane" thinking, I want to know the crazy thought. If it was defensive thinking, I want to know the perceived threat.

Because I still can't believe that he actually followed through with it. I mean, obviously he did, but it was the ultimate act of aggression, fully irrevocable, the proverbial bridge too far, no coming back from it ever. He told himself something and then he acted. What could have been that compelling, that correct a decison to his way of thinking, whether rational or irrational?

If there is no ready answer to this question, then maybe an insanity defense is all that is left, but the story there then has to be even bigger, IMO, so huge that anyone with empathy could, for a fleeting second, imagine maybe doing the same thing.

Ugh. This astonishing case stays with me every day. I just really want to know the answers.

That was exceptionally well stated. Thank you.

 

[cujenn81]

I can ASSURE you that Letcher County isn’t the only rural county in southern Appalachia where judges are still smoking inside itty bitty courtrooms.

 

[fsngruv]

I can ASSURE you that Letcher County isn’t the only rural county in southern Appalachia where judges are still smoking inside itty bitty courtrooms.

I completely agree and I've provided Kentucky code that might possibly exempt judge from breaking any law. I'm not sure if he ever filed an order allowing him to do so it will probably come out in trial, but it definitely has nothing to do with the actions of the sheriff. It is possible that the judge never broke a single law, including illegally smoking in a government office, imo it's still as non issue.

 

[OldAce]

I completely agree and I've provided Kentucky code that might possibly exempt judge from breaking any law. I'm not sure if he ever filed an order allowing him to do so it will probably come out in trial, but it definitely has nothing to do with the actions of the sheriff. It is possible that the judge never broke a single law, including illegally smoking in a government office, imo it's still as non issue.

Actually, I think the room was probably the "smoking" room for the courthouse. Just an accepted situation that seems to prevail, even to the extent of some Justice of the Peace Courts the Judge and the "boys" have a little drinkee at days end. I have personally observed this practice years ago in my own Mississippi.

 

[fsngruv]

Actually, I think the room was probably the "smoking" room for the courthouse. Just an accepted situation that seems to prevail, even to the extent of some Justice of the Peace Courts the Judge and the "boys" have a little drinkee at days end. I have personally observed this practice years ago in my own Mississippi.

I wouldn't be surprised by that either, old.. and he might've even gone about it in the "right"/legal way as the good ol "boys" tend to do.

 

[KooshBall]

I've been biting my tongue on the smoking indoors since the video was first released. I was more shocked by that than the shooting. It symbolized selfishness, that the people smoking indoors care more about their desires than the health of all the other people working in that environment. The same type of thinking that would allow a person to put his desire for sex and control above the law, above his job, and above any respect for the women that felt they had no choice but to comply with sex in the judges chambers. I feel the whole department was probably corrupt and no one is talking, which is why we still don't know the motive for the death of the judge.

 

[Luna20]

I've been biting my tongue on the smoking indoors since the video was first released. I was more shocked by that than the shooting. It symbolized selfishness, that the people smoking indoors care more about their desires than the health of all the other people working in that environment. The same type of thinking that would allow a person to put his desire for sex and control above the law, above his job, and above any respect for the women that felt they had no choice but to comply with sex in the judges chambers. I feel the whole department was probably corrupt and no one is talking, which is why we still don't know the motive for the death of the judge.

If it’s not allowed and they are carelessly disregarding it, then it does put a spotlight on the political courthouse culture there. Rebels, entitled, etc. Right now it is looking like Peyton Place.

It would be like an airline pilot smoking because he is in charge of the flight. The passengers/non smokers would have to put up with it. Obviously that wouldn’t happen, but for context.

 

[Kemug]

Years ago I started at a new (for me) workplace, and a lot of my fellow employees were smokers. Smoking had been banned in public areas, but was allowed in the back rooms and the lunchroom. It was most unpleasant for me, smoke makes my eyes water and my throat sore. Let alone I hate the smell, and it gets into your hair and clothes. And that's without the cancer risk. So I soon quietly removed myself and took to eating my lunch in my car in the carpark. One day one of the smokers walked past on her way to a shop, and noticed me (I had the window down a bit as it was a warm day). She asked me why I was there, so I told her, as politely as I could. She chortled like a drain, and said she had never seen anything so funny in all her life. Talk about rude and selfish.

 

[Luna20]

Years ago I started at a new (for me) workplace, and a lot of my fellow employees were smokers. Smoking had been banned in public areas, but was allowed in the back rooms and the lunchroom. It was most unpleasant for me, smoke makes my eyes water and my throat sore. Let alone I hate the smell, and it gets into your hair and clothes. And that's without the cancer risk. So I soon quietly removed myself and took to eating my lunch in my car in the carpark. One day one of the smokers walked past on her way to a shop, and noticed me (I had the window down a bit as it was a warm day). She asked me why I was there, so I told her, as politely as I could. She chortled like a drain, and said she had never seen anything so funny in all her life. Talk about rude and selfish.

Funny??? Second hand smoke isn’t funny. Neither is smelling like it.

Years ago my mother used to smoke, long before there were any restrictions. She would always go outside to smoke for our wellbeing and she didn’t even like the smell.

Nothing against smokers, im sure if it was easy to quit they would have done it already.

 

[worm]

Smoking was common here in the Carolinas when I was coming along in the 80s. Our school actually allowed parents to sign permission forms for teens to smoke until 87 or so and some places in NC allowed it until 2000.

 

[Seattle1]

VP and guests pick through the deposition transcript

Analyzing Mickey Stines' Mental Health | Vinnie Politan Investigates

Vinnie Politan explores the mental health and behavior of former Sheriff Mickey Stines leading up to Judge Kevin Mullins' shooting.

www.courttv.com

Analyzing Mickey Stines' Mental Health | Vinnie Politan Investigates​

Vinnie Politan explores the mental health and behavior of former Sheriff Mickey Stines leading up to Judge Kevin Mullins' shooting. (03/17/25) MORE

 

[Seattle1]

VP and guests pick through the deposition transcript

Analyzing Mickey Stines' Mental Health | Vinnie Politan Investigates

Vinnie Politan explores the mental health and behavior of former Sheriff Mickey Stines leading up to Judge Kevin Mullins' shooting.

www.courttv.com

Analyzing Mickey Stines' Mental Health | Vinnie Politan Investigates​

Vinnie Politan explores the mental health and behavior of former Sheriff Mickey Stines leading up to Judge Kevin Mullins' shooting. (03/17/25) MORE

After listening to the episode, I offer the following:

Local Letcher County resident Elizabeth Jones opines that she's leery of Attorney Daniel Dotson-- believed to be representing Stines individually, and present at the deposition.

Jones seems to believe that Dotson was essentially responsible for Stines responding "don't recall" to questions during his deposition. She also questions why Dotson has never filed a notice of appearance for Stines with the Court for this civil lawsuit.

Recalling the Civil Complaint, only Ben Fields was sued both as the County Deputy Sheriff and Individually whereas Stines was only sued in his capacity as the County Sheriff.

Per the Civil Docket, Attorney Jonathan Shaw represents both men in their professional capacity for the Letcher County Sheriffs Dept, and Jason Williams represents Fields individually. In other words, explains why Stines has no individual defense attorney of record including Dotson.

Curious why Jones thinks Dotson holds a form of intimidation here, I googled Dotson, and one of his clients to first populate my search was the 2018 democratic candidate for magistrate in Letcher County (Emory “Fudge” Mullins). Looks to me like one more sweetheart deal for another alleged county sexual offender! JMO

Emory "Fudge" Mullins Bond Hearing

Neon man pleads guilty to two reduced charges - The Mountain Eagle

A Neon florist and one-time candidate for magistrate charged with first-degree sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old has pleaded guilty to reduced charges of harassment and will serve no time in prison. Emory Lee “Fudge” Mullins, who also faced charges of two counts of retaliating...

www.themountaineagle.com

ETA: July 13, 2018 Mountain Topmedia.com re. Mullins above will not link due to the restricted news title