In a court filing, Asst. Attorney General R. Ramsey Dallam and special prosecutor Jackie Steele argue that all grand jury procedures were properly followed and that claims of misconduct by the defense are unfounded.
The defense had alleged the indictment was invalid because part of the grand jury process was not recorded. But prosecutors say no testimony was presented during an Oct. 17, 2024, appearance, which was solely to request subpoenas for Stines’ medical and jail records —meaning no recording was legally required.
The only recorded testimony came the following month, when Det. Clayton Stamper presented evidence and answered juror questions. That recording has been provided to the defense.
Prosecutors also rejected claims that the grand jury was misled about Stines’ mental health or his decision not to speak with investigators, saying that argument “demonstrates a misunderstanding of the fundamental differences between grand jury proceedings and criminal trials.”
They point out that grand jury proceedings are investigative in nature and not bound by the same rules of evidence as criminal trials. They further note that jurors were given access to medical records and were free to ask questions.
The response argues that no false or misleading testimony was presented, and there’s no evidence the grand jury was denied critical information.
Prosecutors say dismissal of the indictment would be inappropriate and unsupported by law.
WHITESBURG, Ky. — Prosecutors are pushing back against a motion to dismiss the indictment of former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, who is charged with the September 2024 murder of District Judge Kevin Mullins. In a court filing, Asst. Attorney General R. Ramsey Dallam and special...
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