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

[Auntie Cipation]

Police say Letcher County Sheriff Mickey Stines dialed his daughter’s number from District Judge Kevin Mullins’ phone, then pulled his gun and shot Mullins repeatedly inside his own chambers in the city of Whitesburg on Sept. 19.

Kentucky State Police later clarified that they have no evidence the daughter’s phone number was on the judge’s phone before the sheriff dialed it, despite court testimony that suggested that. Trooper Matt Gayheart, a state police spokesman, attributed the confusion to what he called a “misleading” exchange during the preliminary hearing.

“It was very confusing,” Gayheart said. “I was even confused watching it.”
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/01/g-s1-25793/video-shows-the-moment-a-kentucky-judge-was-shot-to-death

ETA So I am viewing the testimony about "conversations" as being part of the inaccurate and confusing testimony/exchange between the attorney who showed up unbidden to defend Stines and the LEO who testified at the initial PC hearing.

I suspect that the necessarily precise language of legal investigations has not kept pace with the development of technology in recent decades.

To me it feels like a safe assumption that "no evidence the daughter's phone number was on the judge's phone" means her phone number had not been entered into his contacts, but I don't think it necessarily means there had never been calls/texts between those two numbers (ie in the call log or text history).

And of course that also does not factor in potential communications via non-telephone-number-connected means such as fb messages, whatsapp, or other similar options.

That said, I have no strong opinion about whether the judge and the daughter had ever communicated electronically, appropriately or otherwise. I'm only commenting on the range of technical options and whether the language used by the KSP covered all those options or not. MOO

 

[OldAce]

I suspect that the necessarily precise language of legal investigations has not kept pace with the development of technology in recent decades.

To me it feels like a safe assumption that "no evidence the daughter's phone number was on the judge's phone" means her phone number had not been entered into his contacts, but I don't think it necessarily means there had never been calls/texts between those two numbers (ie in the call log or text history).

And of course that also does not factor in potential communications via non-telephone-number-connected means such as fb messages, whatsapp, or other similar options.

That said, I have no strong opinion about whether the judge and the daughter had ever communicated electronically, appropriately or otherwise. I'm only commenting on the range of technical options and whether the language used by the KSP covered all those options or not. MOO

I was thinking that LE had not taken possession of the daughters phone, but had "talked" with her.
Apparently the ones who "talked" with her could discern truth just in conversation.
They had taken the Judge's and Stines, but had sent them "on" for forensic exam.
Slow and certain investigation when they have film.... Very curious.

 

[mmeynstyn]

Does anyone know when the next hearing is for this case? This month sure got quiet.

 

[Soulmagent]

I suspect that the necessarily precise language of legal investigations has not kept pace with the development of technology in recent decades.

To me it feels like a safe assumption that "no evidence the daughter's phone number was on the judge's phone" means her phone number had not been entered into his contacts, but I don't think it necessarily means there had never been calls/texts between those two numbers (ie in the call log or text history).

And of course that also does not factor in potential communications via non-telephone-number-connected means such as fb messages, whatsapp, or other similar options.

That said, I have no strong opinion about whether the judge and the daughter had ever communicated electronically, appropriately or otherwise. I'm only commenting on the range of technical options and whether the language used by the KSP covered all those options or not. MOO

Okay but the prelim testimony brought out that there was contact between the judge and Stines Daughter's phone . I was not sure if it was answered or not and prelims are way different than trials .

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Okay but the prelim testimony brought out that there was contact between the judge and Stines Daughter's phone . I was not sure if it was answered or not and prelims are way different than trials .

Right, that supports what I was saying -- that a claim that there is "no evidence daughter's phone number was on the judge's phone" might simply mean a "contact" (ie specifically listed in phone Contacts list) hadn't been created, not that there hadn't been actual contact, whether a voice call (answered or not), texts, or messages using apps/programs such as facebook, snapchat etc. MOO

 

[sds71]

In the surveillance video taken from Mullins' chambers, a group of people, some of whom had been at lunch with Stines and Mullins earlier in the day at StreetSide Grill & Bar within walking distance of the court and county jail, could be seen cordially chatting with the judge for more than 12 minutes.

Thereafter, Stines entered Mullins' chambers and cleared the room to speak with the judge privately...

In an interview with Fox News this week, Bartley added that although Stines tried to call his daughter from Mullins' phone, their phone exchange had nothing to do with any relationship between the judge and the sheriff's daughter.

He added that Stines received a call from his aunt during his interaction with Mullins in his chambers, which was one of the times he brought out his phone.

As he denied rumors of any kind of relationship between Mullins and Stines' daughter, Bartley said his client was experiencing increasing paranoia over the safety of his family at the time, particularly due to the deposition he had just given.

'Specifically, in the approximate two-week period prior to the incident in the judge's chambers, pretty much all the witnesses the investigators talked to support what those close to Mickey had said as well,' Bartley said.

'And that's simply this: Mickey had become extremely paranoid. He'd become sleepless, basically wasn't sleeping. [He] slept little, if at all. He had become sort of withdrawn.

'And you know, it was of such a concern that his co-workers urged him to go to the doctor, and he ultimately did the day prior to the shooting.'

New video reveals moment before judge was shot dead by sheriff friend

Shocking new surveillance footage captured the moments that led Letcher County Sheriff Shawn 'Mickey' Stines to shoot his longtime friend and local judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers in September.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Chimera]

Okay but the prelim testimony brought out that there was contact between the judge and Stines Daughter's phone . I was not sure if it was answered or not and prelims are way different than trials .

Yes, I believe this was said early on by a witness ?
Possibly nothing --- but still, everyone is wondering what would Stines give up his freedom for ??
Imo.
Eta : Feels like a personal grievance.

 

[Chimera]

In the surveillance video taken from Mullins' chambers, a group of people, some of whom had been at lunch with Stines and Mullins earlier in the day at StreetSide Grill & Bar within walking distance of the court and county jail, could be seen cordially chatting with the judge for more than 12 minutes.


In an interview with Fox News this week, Bartley added that although Stines tried to call his daughter from Mullins' phone, their phone exchange had nothing to do with any relationship between the judge and the sheriff's daughter.

He added that Stines received a call from his aunt during his interaction with Mullins in his chambers, which was one of the times he brought out his phone.

Thereafter, Stines entered Mullins' chambers and cleared the room to speak with the judge privately...

As he denied rumors of any kind of relationship between Mullins and Stines' daughter, Bartley said his client was experiencing increasing paranoia over the safety of his family at the time, particularly due to the deposition he had just given.

'Specifically, in the approximate two-week period prior to the incident in the judge's chambers, pretty much all the witnesses the investigators talked to support what those close to Mickey had said as well,' Bartley said.

'And that's simply this: Mickey had become extremely paranoid. He'd become sleepless, basically wasn't sleeping. [He] slept little, if at all. He had become sort of withdrawn.

'And you know, it was of such a concern that his co-workers urged him to go to the doctor, and he ultimately did the day prior to the shooting.'

New video reveals moment before judge was shot dead by sheriff friend

Shocking new surveillance footage captured the moments that led Letcher County Sheriff Shawn 'Mickey' Stines to shoot his longtime friend and local judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers in September.

www.dailymail.co.uk

^^^
Thanks for the link, @sds71 -- I was just about to post it !

Not much else in msm that I could find.
IF the defense is going for the insanity plea, my opinion is that it ain't gonna fly, iykwim ?
Omo.

 

[Soulmagent]

Yes, I believe this was said early on by a witness ?
Possibly nothing --- but still, everyone is wondering what would Stines give up his freedom for ??
Imo.

He must of thought it important ,as the act has been assigned a high value . One he is fully aware of.

 

[PrairieWind]

He must of thought it important ,as the act has been assigned a high value . One he is fully aware of.

This is still the question. The Judge was shot for a reason. What is it?

 

[tlcya]

In an interview with Fox News this week, Bartley added that although Stines tried to call his daughter from Mullins' phone, their phone exchange had nothing to do with any relationship between the judge and the sheriff's daughter.
New video reveals moment before judge was shot dead by sheriff friend

I am tempted to put it in 45pt font.

 

[PrairieWind]

In an interview with Fox News this week, Bartley added that although Stines tried to call his daughter from Mullins' phone, their phone exchange had nothing to do with any relationship between the judge and the sheriff's daughter.
New video reveals moment before judge was shot dead by sheriff friend

I am tempted to put it in 45pt font.

I can read that comment and take it for what it is worth. First, why would the Sheriff use the Judge's phone to call his daughter moments before he executes the Judge if it had nothing to do with the Judge? "Hey Judge, can I use your phone to call my daughter to see if she picked up my dry cleaning?" But the, lets just assume the Defense attorney isn't just blowing smoke. Let's look at the language used. It doesn't say the call wasn't related to the killing. It says that the "exchange" had nothing to do with a relationship between the Judge and daughter. I find that odd phrasing. Clearly the Judge would seek to protect his daughter. There is just NO WAY that call isn't related to the killing.

 

[fsngruv]

I can read that comment and take it for what it is worth. First, why would the Sheriff use the Judge's phone to call his daughter moments before he executes the Judge if it had nothing to do with the Judge? "Hey Judge, can I use your phone to call my daughter to see if she picked up my dry cleaning?" But the, lets just assume the Defense attorney isn't just blowing smoke. Let's look at the language used. It doesn't say the call wasn't related to the killing. It says that the "exchange" had nothing to do with a relationship between the Judge and daughter. I find that odd phrasing. Clearly the Judge would seek to protect his daughter. There is just NO WAY that call isn't related to the killing.

Then wouldn't the call he received from his aunt during his interaction with Mullins also be related to the killing, if not more so, since they may have actually had a conversation? Maybe she has a past with the judge or the system? There appears to be a lot of nepotism within the sheriff department.

I'm still leaning to the fact that Mickey was looking for the judge to get him out of something that isn't related to his daughter and more than likely he was reaching out to his daughter to say goodbye. Who knows what all he told his wife and daughter in the couple weeks leading to the shooting. Jmo.

At this point info is coming out in tiny crumbs, but I don't feel like we are any closer to knowing the motivators of the sheriff but perhaps, one day we will, and that being said, anything is possible.

 

[Maat99]

There is just NO WAY that call isn't related to the killing.

Has a single person related to this case ever said that some relationship between the daughter and the judge is motive in this case? I have only seen the people involved say this is NOT true in response to internet rumors.
I feel really sad for this girl who has become fodder for the rumor mill. I can’t imagine what it is like to be her with people insisting that there is NO WAY she is not somehow involved in this tragedy. JMO

 

[Ontario Mom]

Has a single person related to this case ever said that some relationship between the daughter and the judge is motive in this case? I have only seen the people involved say this is NOT true in response to internet rumors.
I feel really sad for this girl who has become fodder for the rumor mill. I can’t imagine what it is like to be her with people insisting that there is NO WAY she is not somehow involved in this tragedy. JMO

Honestly, it's her dad's actions immediately prior to him murdering a man in cold blood, that sadly puts her in the public eye in such a terrible way. It's not the fault of the public for noticing.

jmo

 

[Maat99]

Honestly, it's her dad's actions immediately prior to him murdering a man in cold blood, that sadly puts her in the public eye in such a terrible way. It's not the fault of the public for noticing.

jmo

There is a big difference between “noticing” a call when information is first breaking and what is being implied here even after numerous attempts to set the record straight. JMO.

 

[Chimera]

Some sources may be 'implying' but I haven't seen it here.
"Noticing" is fine as this is a crime sleuthing site and so far not much information of value has emerged or surfaced, if that's how to say it ?
Noticing, sleuthing, or inquiring, are how crimes get solved.

Stine's defense atty. 'setting the record straight' does not cut it for many; as of course he's going to defend his client -- it's his job for goodness' sake.

At the end of the day regardless of motive, M. Stines had no right to do what he did, in full view of the security cameras.
The arrogance/entitlement of him knowing the cameras were there and knowing the law more than some of the rest of us-- blows me away.... and add to that after the murder, Stines telling LE to, (paraphrased) -- "Be fair/Go easy" on him.
What fairness was there for Kevin Mullins.

What dark deeds or knowledge was Stines wanting to keep hidden ?

I am only sorry for Judge Mullins and for his loved ones.
Hoping for the harshest justice possible.
Imo.
Omo.

 

[OldAce]

In the surveillance video taken from Mullins' chambers, a group of people, some of whom had been at lunch with Stines and Mullins earlier in the day at StreetSide Grill & Bar within walking distance of the court and county jail, could be seen cordially chatting with the judge for more than 12 minutes.

Thereafter, Stines entered Mullins' chambers and cleared the room to speak with the judge privately...

In an interview with Fox News this week, Bartley added that although Stines tried to call his daughter from Mullins' phone, their phone exchange had nothing to do with any relationship between the judge and the sheriff's daughter.

He added that Stines received a call from his aunt during his interaction with Mullins in his chambers, which was one of the times he brought out his phone.

As he denied rumors of any kind of relationship between Mullins and Stines' daughter, Bartley said his client was experiencing increasing paranoia over the safety of his family at the time, particularly due to the deposition he had just given.

'Specifically, in the approximate two-week period prior to the incident in the judge's chambers, pretty much all the witnesses the investigators talked to support what those close to Mickey had said as well,' Bartley said.

'And that's simply this: Mickey had become extremely paranoid. He'd become sleepless, basically wasn't sleeping. [He] slept little, if at all. He had become sort of withdrawn.

'And you know, it was of such a concern that his co-workers urged him to go to the doctor, and he ultimately did the day prior to the shooting.'

New video reveals moment before judge was shot dead by sheriff friend

Shocking new surveillance footage captured the moments that led Letcher County Sheriff Shawn 'Mickey' Stines to shoot his longtime friend and local judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers in September.

www.dailymail.co.uk

And when you are building with brick; you use available mortar, and spread it as thick as possible while the supply lasts. Defense is embroidering the now popular
mental angle. May be the actual driver of the action, but what directed this mental break down into murder as done.
People go off the rails every day. Some go shoot crowds, drive vehicles into crowds, physically harm themselves. Sit and chant world endings.
This doesn't fit the typical average time from deposition stress to action. Why not do one of the ones involved in this lawsuit, the cause of the "stress"?
Why did he take it out on the judge, a friend for years...

 

[Chimera]

And when you are building with brick; you use available mortar, and spread it as thick as possible while the supply lasts. Defense is embroidering the now popular
mental angle. May be the actual driver of the action, but what directed this mental break down into murder as done.
People go off the rails every day. Some go shoot crowds, drive vehicles into crowds, physically harm themselves. Sit and chant world endings.
This doesn't fit the typical average time from deposition stress to action. Why not do one of the ones involved in this lawsuit, the cause of the "stress"?
Why did he take it out on the judge, a friend for years...

Agreed.
Like I speculated before...this was deeply personal ?
Still hope they throw the book at Stines.
What if everyone reacted this way ?
It's not like he didn't know any better, mental depression or whatever.
And for the record, I doubt M.S.'s family was in danger, immediate or long term.
Just my .02.

 

[tlcya]

I can read that comment and take it for what it is worth. First, why would the Sheriff use the Judge's phone to call his daughter moments before he executes the Judge if it had nothing to do with the Judge? "Hey Judge, can I use your phone to call my daughter to see if she picked up my dry cleaning?" But the, lets just assume the Defense attorney isn't just blowing smoke. Let's look at the language used. It doesn't say the call wasn't related to the killing. It says that the "exchange" had nothing to do with a relationship between the Judge and daughter. I find that odd phrasing. Clearly the Judge would seek to protect his daughter. There is just NO WAY that call isn't related to the killing.

I can also see a mentally disordered thought process thinking I am about to go where I cannot return from (murder) I want to talk to my daughter who I am very worried about but she hasn't been answering my phone calls. I will try her from a number she doesn't recognize.