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

[girlhasnoname]

Warning -- clickbait headline by DM but news of active state of psychosis following the shooting is new:

The court records - which were released and obtained by The Lexington Herald Leader before being sealed - also shed new light on Stines' mental health immediately after the shooting.

A medical report from Leslie County Detention Center staff revealed he was still in a state of 'active psychosis' for days after the shooting.

The September 23 report read: 'Upon evaluation of Mr. Stines, it appears that he is still in an active state of psychosis.'

'He appears disoriented and is only aware of things jail staff tell him. He has no recollection of the recent past.'

Wife of Kentucky sheriff sheds light on rumors about slain judge

Sheriff Shawn 'Mickey' Stines has been behind bars awaiting trial since the September 14 death of his longtime friend, District Judge Kevin Mullins.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Sounds like pretty damning evidence here from your linked article :

<snipped & BBM>

Months after the murder, audio recordings surfaced that seemed to reveal additional mounting allegations of a sex-for-favors scheme - one that stretched far beyond the courthouse, deeply entangling the small town of Whitesburg.

 

[CSIDreamer]

One sad element of this is that I’m sure there are at least some honest officials who are going to get painted with the corruption brush with the rest.

Unfortunately, that's going to happen when longtime corruption is exposed. Painted and charged are 2 different things, IMO. I've seen it happen.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Unfortunately, that's going to happen when longtime corruption is exposed. Painted and charged are 2 different things, IMO. I've seen it happen.

I think when all the stuff eventually comes out (and hopefully it does) everyone will know who was involved, who knew and looked the other way, and who had no idea. From all I've read, I haven't seen anyone accuse Stines of being directly involved, so my guess is he was one who knew and looked the other way. Until he didn't.

 

[jepop]

I think Stines is acting and I’d bet that he “recalls” recent events as well as he knows more than what jail staff tell him. This is just more greasing of the skids for some mental defense.

I think so too. The defense has little else to try.jmo

I hope the change of venue is successful. The case for it appears to be equal to or stronger than in the Kohberger case when his then approaching trial was moved out of Moscow. The perception that the sheriff was justified could be widespread in the county perhaps, and it is the perception that matters. I wonder if the state has or will do some research/surveys to demonstrate the potential for jury pool contamination via rumours ( Soc Media) and more traditional publicity (MSM reporting,,).

Though I don't know how big the potential jury pool is for the County where Stines carried out his execution of judge Mullins. Perhaps the court will be able to sit an unbiased jury and then sequester if it comes to that. But really the place sounds like a cesspit and a new venue away from the locals really seems to be needed. Jmo

 

[Fairy1]

Court documents reveal why ex-Kentucky sheriff called daughter before shooting judge

Multiple witnesses claim Stines was experiencing psychosis at the time of the shooting.

www.yahoo.com

Christine Bolling, a Letcher County Sheriff’s Office staff member, was concerned about his “very strange behavior.” Specifically, also on Sept. 18, court documents state that Stines told Bolling that “Daniel Dotson had told him to give him money and kill himself or ‘they’ were going to kill,” Stines’ wife and daughter.

 

[CSIDreamer]

DBM.

 

[arielilane]

The daughter of a former Kentucky sheriff accused of killing a district judge denied having any relationship with the slain judge, according to grand jury transcripts.

Sheriff’s Daughter Says She Never Knew Slain Judge — Earlier, Police Noted Her Number in His Phone

Letcher County Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines has been charged with murder in connection with the death of 54-year-old District Judge Kevin Mullins in 2024.

people.com

Sept 4

Kentucky State Police Detective Clayton Stamper testified to a grand jury about speculation in the community involving Mullins and Stines’ teenage daughter.

According to grand jury transcripts, Stamper testified that Stines’ daughter “denied any allegations of having any contact whatsoever” with Mullins, including through social media, text messages or phone calls.

"By social media, by text, by phone, in person; any kind of contact whatsoever, she denied it," Stamper said. "That was all just a rumor."

Stamper also testified that investigators found no prior cellphone calls between Mullins and Stines' daughter.

 

[Chimera]

Excellent post and as a fellow onetime victim, I agree with the gap that can emerge between "home truths" and appropriate actions towards healing.

Hopefully any trial or perhaps Kentucky's version of a Coronial investigation into these allegations will provide some clarity. Until then, I feel like this case could use fewer OMG Bombshells! and more patience and on-the-ground advocacy for the victims of whatever abuse/ exploitation was happening in and around that jail. But does the alleged sex-for-favours/ swinger setup connect in a legally meangingful way to the murder?

With or without that component, Judge M was gunned down in a particularly stark and brutal way. It isn't clear to me that Stines's actions that day are either explained or mitigated by these events. But maybe that will change with more (and more clear) information.

JMO, IMO, MOO, etc

Rbm.
Agreed 100 %.
Clear as ... mud.
Still don't have a handle on the 'whys'; imo !

Whatever was going on , Stines didn't have the right to do what he did.
Stines will have his day in court.
But judge Mullins deserved his as well, regardless if the grievances are true or not.

None of us gets to be the jury & executioner, even if we're the sheriff.
Omo.

 

[Seattle1]

Court records show more details about former sheriff charged with murder of district judge

Attorneys submitted several briefs and motions this week.

www.wymt.com

9/4/25

 

[cenazoic]

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/amnesia-a-defense-criminal-charges.html

 

[Luna20]

The vise of truth; and some people growing a spine, has really changed the landscape here. There is bound to be a wide ranging look at many in LE due to what has now come out. If everyone knew, why did not other levels of LE make an
effort to bring to light. State police or some federal branch.The FBI was associated.

I think there were / are many other levels of KY government officials aware and turning a blind eye, or benefiting in some way from the exposed activity. To many people involved and there is bound to be some money changing hands. Sex is casual, but money and political power builds an empire. Who or what entity gained most from this control and exploitation of drug users.
As actual trial looms closer, there may be some weak sisters decide to get on the freedom side of any repercussions.
I would not be surprised that many will retire or decide to take a position before this gets in front of a jury.

If they don’t retire they risk evidence of their crimes being exposed with the possibility of a photo dump to back it up.

 

[Seattle1]

Court documents reveal why ex-Kentucky sheriff called daughter before shooting judge

Multiple witnesses claim Stines was experiencing psychosis at the time of the shooting.

www.yahoo.com

Christine Bolling, a Letcher County Sheriff’s Office staff member, was concerned about his “very strange behavior.” Specifically, also on Sept. 18, court documents state that Stines told Bolling that “Daniel Dotson had told him to give him money and kill himself or ‘they’ were going to kill,” Stines’ wife and daughter.

There were only two office women who worked for the LCSO when Stines was the Sheriff, including LaShawna Frazier-- who had been running things since 2002, and Christine Bolling-- named above. Bolling is the employee who was present at lunch with Stines and Mullins, and who reportedly turned her phone over to KSP.

 

[girlhasnoname]

Court records show more details about former sheriff charged with murder of district judge

Attorneys submitted several briefs and motions this week.

www.wymt.com

9/4/25

I think the Sheriff was looking for a favor from Judge Mullins regarding the Civil Lawsuit and investigation against him and members of the Sheriff's Dept. for the s e x for favors scheme that had been going on.

Judge Mullins had requested and received cameras installed in his office without telling the Sheriff for some reason. I hope there is audio as well.

I also don't think the Sheriff had momentary psychosis (an act). I think he was a very desperate man who was facing serious legal ramifications with all the information coming to light. Of course this is just my speculation.

I did find it interesting that the daughter and wife of the Sheriff said they had never had ANY contact with Judge Mullins, disproving that he was involved in any way with one or both of them. Maybe Mullins was telling the Sheriff that he was going to have to turn over the tape recordings from his office because of the lawsuit???

What a convoluted mess...

JMO

 

[CSIDreamer]

I think when all the stuff eventually comes out (and hopefully it does) everyone will know who was involved, who knew and looked the other way, and who had no idea. From all I've read, I haven't seen anyone accuse Stines of being directly involved, so my guess is he was one who knew and looked the other way. Until he didn't.

I think you're right. There's so much looking the other way in these deep seated corruption cases. Especially when corruption involves money or marginalized people.

Hopefully, something comes from this in addition to a murder trial.

JMO

 

[tlcya]

Court documents reveal why ex-Kentucky sheriff called daughter before shooting judge

Multiple witnesses claim Stines was experiencing psychosis at the time of the shooting.

www.yahoo.com

Christine Bolling, a Letcher County Sheriff’s Office staff member, was concerned about his “very strange behavior.” Specifically, also on Sept. 18, court documents state that Stines told Bolling that “Daniel Dotson had told him to give him money and kill himself or ‘they’ were going to kill,” Stines’ wife and daughter.

very interesting article.

“Dotson also told the KSP that he spoke to Kevin Mullins and told him that Mickey was ‘losing it’ and ‘couldn’t take this kind of pressure’ in reference to the Civil suit involving ‘some crack wanting money,'” Bartley wrote.

The pair had reportedly spoken the night before Mullins’ death, and Dotson recalled telling his wife that “that son of a [expletive] has lost his mind,” referencing Stines.

Christine Bolling, a Letcher County Sheriff’s Office staff member, was concerned about his “very strange behavior.” Specifically, also on Sept. 18, court documents state that Stines told Bolling that “Daniel Dotson had told him to give him money and kill himself or ‘they’ were going to kill,” Stines’ wife and daughter.
Court documents reveal why ex-Kentucky sheriff called daughter before shooting judge

ETA yahoo's source article https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky...heriff-called-daughter-before-shooting-judge/

so it sounds like Dotson tells Mickey - bro, you need to get help, you are losing your mind (paraphrased) and what Mickey apparently took from that conversation was - give me money and go kill yourself or we will do it for you.

Bizarre.

 

[Ontario Mom]

very interesting article.

“Dotson also told the KSP that he spoke to Kevin Mullins and told him that Mickey was ‘losing it’ and ‘couldn’t take this kind of pressure’ in reference to the Civil suit involving ‘some crack wanting money,'” Bartley wrote.

The pair had reportedly spoken the night before Mullins’ death, and Dotson recalled telling his wife that “that son of a [expletive] has lost his mind,” referencing Stines.

Christine Bolling, a Letcher County Sheriff’s Office staff member, was concerned about his “very strange behavior.” Specifically, also on Sept. 18, court documents state that Stines told Bolling that “Daniel Dotson had told him to give him money and kill himself or ‘they’ were going to kill,” Stines’ wife and daughter.
Court documents reveal why ex-Kentucky sheriff called daughter before shooting judge

ETA yahoo's source article https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky...heriff-called-daughter-before-shooting-judge/

so it sounds like Dotson tells Mickey - bro, you need to get help, you are losing your mind (paraphrased) and what Mickey apparently took from that conversation was - give me money and go kill yourself or we will do it for you.

Bizarre.

This case just gets more confusing the more info comes out. The comment about the "crack" lady wanting money seems pretty disgusting.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Court documents reveal why ex-Kentucky sheriff called daughter before shooting judge

Multiple witnesses claim Stines was experiencing psychosis at the time of the shooting.

www.yahoo.com

Christine Bolling, a Letcher County Sheriff’s Office staff member, was concerned about his “very strange behavior.” Specifically, also on Sept. 18, court documents state that Stines told Bolling that “Daniel Dotson had told him to give him money and kill himself or ‘they’ were going to kill,” Stines’ wife and daughter.

very interesting article.

“Dotson also told the KSP that he spoke to Kevin Mullins and told him that Mickey was ‘losing it’ and ‘couldn’t take this kind of pressure’ in reference to the Civil suit involving ‘some crack wanting money,'” Bartley wrote.

The pair had reportedly spoken the night before Mullins’ death, and Dotson recalled telling his wife that “that son of a [expletive] has lost his mind,” referencing Stines.

Christine Bolling, a Letcher County Sheriff’s Office staff member, was concerned about his “very strange behavior.” Specifically, also on Sept. 18, court documents state that Stines told Bolling that “Daniel Dotson had told him to give him money and kill himself or ‘they’ were going to kill,” Stines’ wife and daughter.
Court documents reveal why ex-Kentucky sheriff called daughter before shooting judge

ETA yahoo's source article https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky...heriff-called-daughter-before-shooting-judge/

so it sounds like Dotson tells Mickey - bro, you need to get help, you are losing your mind (paraphrased) and what Mickey apparently took from that conversation was - give me money and go kill yourself or we will do it for you.

Bizarre.

Dotson also referred to a crack ho. That's trashy on his part. IMO.

No one has their first grade dream job as "I want to be a crack ho when I grow up".

 

[arielilane]

it's like that episode of Seinfeld The Bizarro Jerry, where everything and everyone is the exact opposite

Had to look up Seinfeld episode. Hilarious.

 

[arielilane]

This case just gets more confusing the more info comes out. The comment about the "crack" lady wanting money seems pretty disgusting.

Agreed. Its like youre being sent down a rabbit hole trying to make any sense of this case. moo

 

[rogue ant]

I think Stines is acting and I’d bet that he “recalls” recent events as well as he knows more than what jail staff tell him. This is just more greasing of the skids for some mental defense.

That's what I believe too.