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

[TristanP]

I can’t form an opinion on this until we know more, but I think the move to indicate there may be a plea of insanity is good for all involved.

He will be evaluated by experts, which will determine if he was sane or not at the time of the crime, and also if he is competent to assist in his own defense.

These determinations will surely be useful no matter what.

 

[Luna20]

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

I searched this to see if I could get around the paywall but for some reason multiple articles on this came up. I wasn’t aware Stines fired Fields over what the defendant claimed but I haven’t followed closely. Disregard if it’s been reported already.

“Adkins – a defendant who was placed on house arrest – filed a federal lawsuit against Fields in January 2022 after which Stines fired him. She claims in the audio recording that the videotapes she saw showed Mullins having sex with women in exchange for special treatment”

Slain Kentucky judge allegedly linked to courtroom sextortion scandal

Lawyer claims Kevin Mullins was connected to sex-for-favors scheme akin to a ‘running a brothel’

www.theguardian.com

 

[Auntie Cipation]

She claims in the audio recording that the videotapes she saw showed Mullins having sex with women in exchange for special treatment”

Something seems odd about this claim. Maybe it's just the way it's worded, but if she did see video/s of the judge having sex with women in his chambers, how does that imply that it was known to be "in exchange for special treatment"? I really doubt that the quid pro quo was spoken out loud at the precise moment in the video she saw. MOO

 

[katydid23]

Something seems odd about this claim. Maybe it's just the way it's worded, but if she did see video/s of the judge having sex with women in his chambers, how does that imply that it was known to be "in exchange for special treatment"? I really doubt that the quid pro quo was spoken out loud at the precise moment in the video she saw. MOO

Maybe the video shows them discussing the situation just before the sexual acts? There could have been verbal communication and clarifications just before.

 

[Rosydecember]

Maybe the video shows them discussing the situation just before the sexual acts? There could have been verbal communication and clarifications just before.

Is there audio though? Usually cameras are just video recording in my experience. I would imagine Kentucky is a one party consent state though for audio recordings… hmm just food for thought MOO

 

[Leilei]

Is there audio though? Usually cameras are just video recording in my experience. I would imagine Kentucky is a one party consent state though for audio recordings… hmm just food for thought MOO

Pretty sure there is no audio on the recordings from Mullin's chambers. At least, there wasn't during the murder video.
I can't remember where I read or heard it, though.
IMO.

 

[dalsglen]

When is trial scheduled? I feel awful saying this but I can't wait for it. I suspect a lot of heads are gonna roll.

 

[LostOldUserName]

I'm really struggling with this case. Even after watching the video, cold blooded murder or he just snapped. The trial will be interesting.

 

[al66pine]

Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly, as Do Updates to Letcher County Webpage/Site


A little puzzling imo that six months after the shooting (IIRC, he resigned w'in a mo), that Stines is still shown as Sheriff.
I did not check names on other county offices.

EDIT:
wiki page for Letcher County has this updated info re Sheriff,
but does not name new/acting sheriff:

"The sheriff has the responsibility to collect taxes, election duties, provide service to courts, and enforce laws. The sheriff has the ability to make arrests within their county, and collect taxes from properties, the county, and school districts. The sheriff was Democrat Mickey Stines until his arrest for murder in September 2024 and subsequent resignation."

Letcher County, Kentucky - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Seems unexpected to me, because the wiki page gives as source, the Letcher County website.​

Scratching my head.


_____________________________________
* "County Sheriff" at county webpage.
"The sheriff's duties fall into four categories: tax collection, election duties, services to courts, and law enforcement. A sheriff spends the most time on civil duties, as opposed to criminal or law enforcement duties. The sheriff and three other elected county officials-coroners, jailers, and constables-are peace officers who possess law enforcement powers (KRS 446.010). These powers include a broad grant of authority to make arrests. Kentucky sheriff's collect property taxes for the state, county, school districts, and sometimes cities if the sheriff has contracted with them for this service.

"Mickey Stines
6 Broadway Street
Whitesburg, KY 41858"

Then phone & fax numbers, email address and hours.

Photo of MS (w wife & dau, I'm presuming) still there too.
______________

Letcher County

www.letchercounty.ky.gov

 

[katydid23]

Maybe the video shows them discussing the situation just before the sexual acts? There could have been verbal communication and clarifications just before.

Right, so I said 'shows' them discussing before the sex acts. Didn't think we could hear it.

I think if 2 people are mutually feeling amorous as they enter the chambers, it would look different from 2 people making a pressurised transaction for a sex act. Just a thought...

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Right, so I said 'shows' them discussing before the sex acts. Didn't think we could hear it.

I think if 2 people are mutually feeling amorous as they enter the chambers, it would look different from 2 people making a pressurised transaction for a sex act. Just a thought...

I agree that transactional sex might look different than romantic sex. But that would not necessarily tell the woman who saw the videos that it was "in exchange for special treatment." That's why I mentioned it -- it seems to me the sort of thing that the accuser might be making some assumptions about, and we don't know if she had her own agenda in relation to any of the players in this case.

It might just be me being pedantic, but I usually think the devil is in the details, so...

Of course, this is MOO.

 

[ch_13]

Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly, as Do Updates to Letcher County Webpage/Site


A little puzzling imo that six months after the shooting (IIRC, he resigned w'in a mo), that Stines is still shown as Sheriff.
I did not check names on other county offices.

EDIT:
wiki page for Letcher County has this updated info re Sheriff,
but does not name new/acting sheriff:

"The sheriff has the responsibility to collect taxes, election duties, provide service to courts, and enforce laws. The sheriff has the ability to make arrests within their county, and collect taxes from properties, the county, and school districts. The sheriff was Democrat Mickey Stines until his arrest for murder in September 2024 and subsequent resignation."

Letcher County, Kentucky - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Seems unexpected to me, because the wiki page gives as source, the Letcher County website.​

Scratching my head.


_____________________________________
* "County Sheriff" at county webpage.
"The sheriff's duties fall into four categories: tax collection, election duties, services to courts, and law enforcement. A sheriff spends the most time on civil duties, as opposed to criminal or law enforcement duties. The sheriff and three other elected county officials-coroners, jailers, and constables-are peace officers who possess law enforcement powers (KRS 446.010). These powers include a broad grant of authority to make arrests. Kentucky sheriff's collect property taxes for the state, county, school districts, and sometimes cities if the sheriff has contracted with them for this service.

"Mickey Stines
6 Broadway Street
Whitesburg, KY 41858"

Then phone & fax numbers, email address and hours.

Photo of MS (w wife & dau, I'm presuming) still there too.
______________

Letcher County

www.letchercounty.ky.gov

And if you go to the county's judicial page, it still lists Mullins as the district judge. It's been nearly six months since the shooting, so I guess it just fell through the cracks. Can't say I'm much impressed by the competence of the local authorities.

Letcher County

www.letchercounty.ky.gov

---

District Judge of the 47th Judicial District​

District Court is the court of limited jurisdiction and handles juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse.

Honorable Kevin R. Mullins

156 Main Street, Suite 101 C
Whitesburg, KY 41858

(606) 633-4222​

 

[al66pine]

The Letcher County web site/page?

And if you go to the county's judicial page, it still lists Mullins as the district judge. It's been nearly six months since the shooting, so I guess it just fell through the cracks. Can't say I'm much impressed by the competence of the local authorities.

Letcher County

www.letchercounty.ky.gov

---

District Judge of the 47th Judicial District​

District Court is the court of limited jurisdiction and handles juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse.

Honorable Kevin R. Mullins

156 Main Street, Suite 101 C
Whitesburg, KY 41858

(606) 633-4222​

In my earlier post: "I did not check names on other county offices."

Glad I noted this ^ but even more glad : ) that @ch_13 responded. TYVM @ch_13 . : )

Not often that I expect instant news from municipal/county/state SM sites,
but still scratching my head about the lag in updates on this county's websites/pages.
imo

EDIT: Correcting myself, as that's not really a SM site (IIUC), in common usage of SM (IIUC).

Letcher County seems like an "official" site, blessed so to speak at state-level, by virtue of the "ky.gov" address. ICBWrong.

 

[Leilei]

I agree that transactional sex might look different than romantic sex. But that would not necessarily tell the woman who saw the videos that it was "in exchange for special treatment." That's why I mentioned it -- it seems to me the sort of thing that the accuser might be making some assumptions about, and we don't know if she had her own agenda in relation to any of the players in this case.

It might just be me being pedantic, but I usually think the devil is in the details, so...

Of course, this is MOO.

Totally agree with you.
IMO.

 

[Luna20]

And if you go to the county's judicial page, it still lists Mullins as the district judge. It's been nearly six months since the shooting, so I guess it just fell through the cracks. Can't say I'm much impressed by the competence of the local authorities.

Letcher County

www.letchercounty.ky.gov

---

District Judge of the 47th Judicial District​

District Court is the court of limited jurisdiction and handles juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse.

Honorable Kevin R. Mullins

156 Main Street, Suite 101 C
Whitesburg, KY 41858

(606) 633-4222​

That’s weird. Maybe the new judge mentioned it but they just haven’t gotten around to it? That would not fly in the majority of other larger cities.

Respectfully, this should be corrected for the Mullins family.

 

[fred&edna]

Has anyone (at all) identified the sheriff's office employee who was communicating with Stines during lunch??

 

[Ontario Mom]

Has anyone (at all) identified the sheriff's office employee who was communicating with Stines during lunch??

Not that I've seen anywhere.

 

[OldAce]

Not that I've seen anywhere.

Neither have I, and I have long considered that was the conduit that relayed the final link in Stines motive to act. Peculiar; as are many other points in this, in as if it is of no consequence, why not clarify it.

The thundering silence on several aspects do not reveal the actual I fear. Details of the "audio tape" referred to by the plaintiff in the deposition. Only audio, so what subject matter and to/with whom.
The daughters phone number was or was not in Mullins phone? There is "No evidence to indicate"usually is a hedge for not "We are not going there"... To many avenues not explored or glossed over.
Sadly lacking investigation not made or hops and skips to get it conveniently done?

 

[PrairieWind]

Neither have I, and I have long considered that was the conduit that relayed the final link in Stines motive to act. Peculiar; as are many other points in this, in as if it is of no consequence, why not clarify it.

The thundering silence on several aspects do not reveal the actual I fear. Details of the "audio tape" referred to by the plaintiff in the deposition. Only audio, so what subject matter and to/with whom.
The daughters phone number was or was not in Mullins phone? There is "No evidence to indicate"usually is a hedge for not "We are not going there"... To many avenues not explored or glossed over.
Sadly lacking investigation not made or hops and skips to get it conveniently done?

I do think that there is a lot known by LE/prosecution that we are not being shown. I have no idea what that is. It appears there is connection to the deposition and some sort of connection to the Judge's daughter (despite the family statement seemingly to the contrary).

 

[OldAce]

I do think that there is a lot known by LE/prosecution that we are not being shown. I have no idea what that is. It appears there is connection to the deposition and some sort of connection to the Judge's daughter (despite the family statement seemingly to the contrary).

There was something serious going on. Possibly pressure on the daughter to divulge some knowledge she had learned. Stines got some surprise corroboration from the deposition testimony. He began to investigate; reached a conclusion, and probably advised wife and daughter of his position. If that position was drastic, they may have disagreed with him enough for his leaving the home . Further the next day at lunch he gets definite info. This resulted in his actions and the commentary on "they" and the family members' "safety." I think that if Stines is able to make it into open court he will blow the roof off of some activities.