Kentucky - Judge killed, sheriff arrested in Letcher County courthouse shooting - Sep. 19, 2024 # 4

[Boxer]

It seems with as freely as folks are speaking down there in Letcher county, if Stines had some shady stuff going on the judge knew about, folks would be talking. Except curiously, with all the accusations folks are making about all sorts of things, so far, none of them have mentioned Mickey Stines' name in all this. That really stands out to me.

MOO if Stines was unaware and discovered wrongdoing by Mullins he needed to arrest Mullins.

 

[tlcya]

It seems with as freely as folks are speaking down there in Letcher county, if Stines had some shady stuff going on the judge knew about, folks would be talking. Except curiously, with all the accusations folks are making about all sorts of things, so far, none of them have mentioned Mickey Stines' name in all this. That really stands out to me.

good point, but my question is if this was an "open" secret as described by the females who have spoken of alleged sex parties, how could the sheriff NOT know? To imagine all of this was going on in his county, his courthouse, among attorneys LEOs and judges that he worked closely with in this small town, and he was clueless until recently, it gives the impression that Barney Fife is smarter than he. I don't think he is an unintelligent person.

 

[tlcya]

“That was just a given,” she said. “And, who would believe it anyway? Because the whole town was doing it. Nobody cares. They’re all swingers. It’s all a big party to them. It was just so normal.”
[snip]
“Pretty much everybody in the county knows,” she said. “But it was confirmed to me after working in the county jail, especially after being invited to a party myself.”
https://www.newsnationnow.com/banfield/kentucky-judge-mullins-sex-parties-victim/

 

[Ontario Mom]

good point, but my question is if this was an "open" secret as described by the females who have spoken of alleged sex parties, how could the sheriff NOT know? To imagine all of this was going on in his county, his courthouse, among attorneys LEOs and judges that he worked closely with in this small town, and he was clueless until recently, it gives the impression that Barney Fife is smarter than he. I don't think he is an unintelligent person.

I wasn't suggesting Stines didn't know (although I have no idea if he did or not, or if he knew the extent, or how much he and others just assumed was rumor/gossip) about the alleged open secret. What I was addressing was the theory that another member posted that Mullins knew something shady about Stines, and was worried he'd be exposed & lose his career so he killed Mullins.

In all the interviews (both off and on camera) Brian Entin has had with locals, so far (as much as I recall) no one has had anything negative to say about Stines. It seems to me, if there was something sketchy or shady that Mullins knew that caused Stines to react like this, that Mullins likely wouldn't be the only one who knew, given how everyone seems to know all the shady junk going on there. Except no one, so far, has said a word about Stines.

 

[tlcya]

I wasn't suggesting Stines didn't know (although I have no idea if he did or not, or if he knew the extent, or how much he and others just assumed was rumor/gossip) about the alleged open secret. What I was addressing was the theory that another member posted that Mullins knew something shady about Stines, and was worried he'd be exposed & lose his career so he killed Mullins.

In all the interviews (both off and on camera) Brian Entin has had with locals, so far (as much as I recall) no one has had anything negative to say about Stines. It seems to me, if there was something sketchy or shady that Mullins knew that caused Stines to react like this, that Mullins likely wouldn't be the only one who knew, given how everyone seems to know all the shady junk going on there. Except no one, so far, has said a word about Stines.

Sorry I should clarify, I understand you weren't suggesting he only recently found out, your post just caused me to consider whether it was logical to think that Stines learned something during the deposition that caused him to act as he did. Not that you have suggested that but I have seen others do so. I was just jumping off yours, not attempting to put words in your mouth. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

 

[Kudzuu]

I keep going back to Stine's behavior after being arrested. He was clearly delusional and having a break from reality.

I find it odd that his daughter didn't seem IMO defend her father at all. She seemed more concerned about herself. Many many families in those mountains are very clannish.

Also I can't think of anything about her statement of going to sleep and waking up to something on her phone. Why not get a new phone and number?

Why was she so vague? What was her purpose to chastise people whom she claims are using these stories and rumors to gossip and add to her situation?

She is clearly a victim. Her appearance is totally different and I can see a person doing that because her picture in court WAS EVERYWHERE and maybe she wanted privacy but doing TikTok videos puts her right back out there.

Somethin' ain't right.

All opinions are mine.

 

[Elley Mae]

One year later, sheriff’s motive for killing judge is more clear - The Mountain Eagle

A year after then-sheriff Mickey Stines shot and killed Judge Kevin R. Mullins in the judge’s chambers, court documents and interviews have revealed a man fiercely protective of his public image and consumed by fear. Defense attorneys for Stines say that fear amounted to paranoia and are arguing...

www.themountaineagle.com

 

[tlcya]

One year later, sheriff’s motive for killing judge is more clear - The Mountain Eagle

A year after then-sheriff Mickey Stines shot and killed Judge Kevin R. Mullins in the judge’s chambers, court documents and interviews have revealed a man fiercely protective of his public image and consumed by fear. Defense attorneys for Stines say that fear amounted to paranoia and are arguing...

www.themountaineagle.com

A lot of interesting anecdotal information from people who know Stines in this article. Thanks.

 

[scapa]

One year later, sheriff’s motive for killing judge is more clear - The Mountain Eagle

A year after then-sheriff Mickey Stines shot and killed Judge Kevin R. Mullins in the judge’s chambers, court documents and interviews have revealed a man fiercely protective of his public image and consumed by fear. Defense attorneys for Stines say that fear amounted to paranoia and are arguing...

www.themountaineagle.com

Thanks for this -- best article I've yet read on the case and does clarify some elements, including Stines' previous behaviour and its apparent escalation in the weeks and days leading up to the murder.

 

[justtrish]

One year later, sheriff’s motive for killing judge is more clear - The Mountain Eagle

A year after then-sheriff Mickey Stines shot and killed Judge Kevin R. Mullins in the judge’s chambers, court documents and interviews have revealed a man fiercely protective of his public image and consumed by fear. Defense attorneys for Stines say that fear amounted to paranoia and are arguing...

www.themountaineagle.com

So much good information in this article. It really sounds like the sheriff was off for a while before this shooting. Being paranoid that people were listening in his house so he would wake his wife up to walk down the street to talk and asking his aunt about his grandmother who has been dead for several years.

 

[tlcya]

So much good information in this article. It really sounds like the sheriff was off for a while before this shooting. Being paranoid that people were listening in his house so he would wake his wife up to walk down the street to talk and asking his aunt about his grandmother who has been dead for several years.

yeah, tracking down and calling people whose FB comments or reactions to his FB posts that he didn't like does not give me confidence this man was the right one for the job of sheriff. That's for sure. And that was allegedly going on well before the shooting.

 

[OldAce]

I keep going back to Stine's behavior after being arrested. He was clearly delusional and having a break from reality.

I find it odd that his daughter didn't seem IMO defend her father at all. She seemed more concerned about herself. Many many families in those mountains are very clannish.

Also I can't think of anything about her statement of going to sleep and waking up to something on her phone. Why not get a new phone and number?

Why was she so vague? What was her purpose to chastise people whom she claims are using these stories and rumors to gossip and add to her situation?

She is clearly a victim. Her appearance is totally different and I can see a person doing that because her picture in court WAS EVERYWHERE and maybe she wanted privacy but doing TikTok videos puts her right back out there.

Somethin' ain't right.

All opinions are mine.

His behavior probably was the sinking in of the act he has just committed. Even with intentions of it being necessary, actual commission guilt may have set in. He was pretty well balanced in one respect, did not flee or attempt to evade. Just deep in thought? Concern? Obviously had only the one deed to accomplish, no one else injured...
I think the daughter has made her way onward.

 

[Seattle1]

One year later, sheriff’s motive for killing judge is more clear - The Mountain Eagle

A year after then-sheriff Mickey Stines shot and killed Judge Kevin R. Mullins in the judge’s chambers, court documents and interviews have revealed a man fiercely protective of his public image and consumed by fear. Defense attorneys for Stines say that fear amounted to paranoia and are arguing...

www.themountaineagle.com

From the quoted 9/10/25 link, good to find more citations by Attorney Daniel Dotson made to KSP that Stines defense reportedly relied on for its defense motion to dismiss:

The defense motion to dismiss the indictment relies largely on excerpts from a statement made to Kentucky State Police by Daniel Dotson, who has been variously described as the sheriff ’s department’s attorney and Stines’s personal attorney. Dotson has retired since the shooting and lives in Tennessee. Dotson had attended a deposition in the civil case with Stines on the Monday before the shooting, and told others there that Stines had “episodes” has a result of encephalitis contracted through a tick bite.

Very interesting. So now we have the lead KSP Investigator Clayton Stamper, long-time Jailer Bert Sloan, and Attorney Daniel Dotson-- who have all retired -- before the case gets set for trial. And the Commonwealth Attorney, Edison Banks, is also deceased.

Let's not forget that some thought Daniel Dotson made Stines so nervous when he showed up at his deposition, and that while under duress of being "watched," Stines may have been less than truthful during his deposition.

Such was the implication alleged by the Plaintiff's Attorney, they filed a Motion with the Court to Re-open Discovery and require Stines be re-deposed. In opposition to the Motion, on June 19, 2025, as Stines' criminal defense Attorney, Jeremy Bartley affirmed that he made no public statements meant to convey that his client gave any untruthful responses to any questions posed or was in any way untruthful in responding to questions during his deposition.

What we know for fact is the only Attorney of record for Stines on the Civil lawsuit was outside counsel, Jonathan C. Shaw, PORTER, BANKS, BALDWIN & SHAW, PLLC, Paintsville, Kentucky 41240-1767. As of this date, Dotson has entered no notice of appearance on the Civil case, and is not noticed on the matter by the Court. MOO

8/14/24

Jailer is retiring with nearly two years left on term - The Mountain Eagle

The last day of August will mark the last day of Letcher County Jailer Bert Slone’s 30-year career in law enforcement. Slone is in his second term as jailer, and will retire just short of two years into his term. “It’s been 30 years and four months, and it’s just time to retire,” he said. Slone...

www.themountaineagle.com

8/27/25

Ex-jailer calls for KSP probe into reported wrongdoings - The Mountain Eagle

Retired Letcher County Jailer Bert Slone has asked for a criminal investigation of allegations of sex abuse and rape in the Letcher County Jail and Courthouse. Slone said he has the right to request an investigation as the former jailer. Slone, who has not been personally named in the...

www.themountaineagle.com

Trooper Gayheart

Thank you Justin Fugate Photography for capturing all of today’s moments. Today was bittersweet as we celebrated the careers of four irreplaceable members of our Post 13 family. We wish them well...

www.facebook.com

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1983221431220531703

 

[cenazoic]

Side note:

Trial date set in lawsuit against former deputy - The Mountain Eagle

A March trial date has been set in the federal civil lawsuit against a former deputy sheriff who pleaded guilty to rape for having sex with a woman on home incarceration and under his supervision. The defendants in the case also include Letcher County Sheriff Billy Jones in his official capacity...

www.themountaineagle.com

Federal civil suit against Fields for SAing Sabrina Adkins set for 3 March 2026 trial.

Also, “…since the beginning of this year, three attorneys have left Adkins’s case.”

 

[Warwick7]

Hmmm.....

https://twitter.com/x/status/1987914005537571024

 

[Tricia]

We will be discussing Brian Entin's new interview on Websleuths YouTube LIVE tonight at 10:30 PM Eastern. CLICK HERE and join us

 

[Kemug]

Such a strange case. There is no question at all about who shot and killed Mullins, and yet there is still so much mystery.

 

[arielilane]

A judge has set a hearing for January 7 on a motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the widow of the late Judge Kevin Mullins against three Letcher County Deputy Sheriffs, and to other motions pending in the case.

Hearing on motion to dismiss suit by judge’s widow is Jan. 7 - The Mountain Eagle

A judge has set a hearing for January 7 on a motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the widow of the late Judge Kevin Mullins against three Letcher County Deputy Sheriffs, and to other motions pending in the case. Pike Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman, acting as Special Letcher Circuit...

www.themountaineagle.com

Nov. 12, 2025

 

[tlcya]

A judge has set a hearing for January 7 on a motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the widow of the late Judge Kevin Mullins against three Letcher County Deputy Sheriffs, and to other motions pending in the case.

Hearing on motion to dismiss suit by judge’s widow is Jan. 7 - The Mountain Eagle

A judge has set a hearing for January 7 on a motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the widow of the late Judge Kevin Mullins against three Letcher County Deputy Sheriffs, and to other motions pending in the case. Pike Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman, acting as Special Letcher Circuit...

www.themountaineagle.com

Nov. 12, 2025

sadly, I don't think the wrongful death claim against the other court personnel is going to go anywhere. My heart hurts for the Mullins family. It's just unbelievable that a man who was given the authority to carry and use his weapon by the county could do what Stines did that day. But while many at the courthouse may have had concerns about Mickey and recent unusual behavior, I doubt it an be proven that they could have or should have known what he would do. They'd be better off it could be shown that his physician had a duty to act (warn his superiors) and had not in that regard. JMO.