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

[OldAce]

This Dotson, an attorney. Seems his name crossed our line way back. To connect..

“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.

Could this be interpreted/examined in the light of Mickey being a sort of neutral in some scheme going on; but with things getting into depositions and oaths, is so concerned he voiced his fears to Dotson and Dotson relayed on to Mullins in a context of Mickey was going to blow the lid?
Not mental stress, but worry of being caught up in something looming.

There is still something looming in this whole scenario. It bulges here and there and gets patted back in shape but is still a large package...

 

[Seattle1]

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

First, while the civil lawsuit commenced Jan 2022, take note that Stines deposition did not occur until Sept 2024. More specifically, it was held three days before he shot Mullins. At the time of Stines deposition, the true subject of the civil suit, former deputy Fields, had already been criminally prosecuted and completed his sentence -- he was free.

Second, cameras were added to the Courthouse following the 2022 lawsuit, and Stines was part of the team deciding their placement/location. However, a camera only (no audio) was added to Chambers at the personal request of Mullins.

In other words, there was no tape for Stines to turn over, and no such request was made of Stines.

IMO, I think Fields and Mullins were two of a kind, and a good chance that Stines worked to get Fields hired to work in Stines new administration (i.e., Fields hired Dec 2017, Stines took his oath Jan 2018), as a favor to Mullins. (i.e., Stines was Judge Mullins bailiff for 16 years, and Fields replaced him when Stines became Sheriff).

If Stines had a beef with Mullins -- it was probably because their mutual desire to victimize inmates being held in the basement of the Courthouse (LCJ), and Stines was caught in the middle of it (in the capacity of Sheriff of Letcher County), essentially to link plaintiff's claim to the County's purse.

IMO, personally requesting a camera added to his Chambers was simply self-preservation by Mullins. He already knew the allegation about him "recorded having sex with others" was from VHS tape of another era! MOO

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

Aug 25, 2025

From December 2024 post in Media Only thread.

However, please take note that AOC confirmed Mullins personal request for a camera in his chambers wasn't reported until 8/21/25 (pursuant to FOIA).

According to the Administrative Office of the Courts, 18 additional cameras were installed at the Letcher County Courthouse after the woman’s federal lawsuit against Fields in 2022. The cameras were placed at the request of “the judges, circuit court clerk and sheriff (Stines).”

“These cameras were placed in various locations in the building, including the office...

• Seattle1

• 

 

[Seattle1]

This Dotson, an attorney. Seems his name crossed our line way back. To connect..

“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.

Could this be interpreted/examined in the light of Mickey being a sort of neutral in some scheme going on; but with things getting into depositions and oaths, is so concerned he voiced his fears to Dotson and Dotson relayed on to Mullins in a context of Mickey was going to blow the lid?
Not mental stress, but worry of being caught up in something looming.

There is still something looming in this whole scenario. It bulges here and there and gets patted back in shape but is still a large package...

Stines, in his capacity as the Letcher County Sheriff, was represented in person by two attorneys at his deposition: Jonathan Shaw and Daniel Dotson. Shaw did all the talking.

Also, attending via Zoom: Attorney Jason Williams for Defendant Fields, Individually, and Attorney Don Jones for Defendant - EKCS.

For what it's worth, as of this date, Dotson is not an Attorney of record on the civil suit representing Stines in any capacity. The only Attorney of record for the Letcher County Sheriff's Office is Jonathan C. Shaw, Porter Banks Baldwin & Shaw - Paintsville

Also, I recall Bartley's earlier media appearances where he implied Stines felt under threat at his deposition (by Dotson??). This allegation by Bartley caused the Plaintiff to Motion Stines be re-deposed. The Defense responded with an attached statement by Bartley--denying the implication of his comments.

 

[Seattle1]

Does anybody remember at Stines arraignment (via Zoom) end of Sept 2024 when he appeared with two men, and one of them identified himself as Stines 'Public Defender,' which did not go over well with the Court! Do we have a name for this attorney? I'm giving Dotson the benefit of the doubt that it wasn't him who appeared with Stines on Zoom, but I have no idea.

 

[twall]

Does anybody remember at Stines arraignment (via Zoom) end of Sept 2024 when he appeared with two men, and one of them identified himself as Stines 'Public Defender,' which did not go over well with the Court! Do we have a name for this attorney? I'm giving Dotson the benefit of the doubt that it wasn't him who appeared with Stines on Zoom, but I have no idea.

Josh Miller

 

[OldAce]

Does anybody remember at Stines arraignment (via Zoom) end of Sept 2024 when he appeared with two men, and one of them identified himself as Stines 'Public Defender,' which did not go over well with the Court! Do we have a name for this attorney? I'm giving Dotson the benefit of the doubt that it wasn't him who appeared with Stines on Zoom, but I have no idea.

I am vague on whatever value or connection this Dotson may have had, but was his name not mentioned in some rumor that was floated way back? I believe in some phase of testimony within the first/original deposition, it was remarked on as a "he also or him too " slanted aside...
(Poor memory/ age 90 as of 9/3/2025)

 

[LadyL]

This Dotson, an attorney. Seems his name crossed our line way back. To connect..

“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.

Could this be interpreted/examined in the light of Mickey being a sort of neutral in some scheme going on; but with things getting into depositions and oaths, is so concerned he voiced his fears to Dotson and Dotson relayed on to Mullins in a context of Mickey was going to blow the lid?
Not mental stress, but worry of being caught up in something looming.

There is still something looming in this whole scenario. It bulges here and there and gets patted back in shape but is still a large package...

[bbm]

ITA on point IMO

 

[Seattle1]

I am vague on whatever value or connection this Dotson may have had, but was his name not mentioned in some rumor that was floated way back? I believe in some phase of testimony within the first/original deposition, it was remarked on as a "he also or him too " slanted aside...
(Poor memory/ age 90 as of 9/3/2025)

Happy belated birthday @OldAce!! 90 is a grand number!

Seems to me that the "Dotson rumor/connection" has come full circle.

First, we know that he attended Stines deposition on 9/16/24-- without any known formal duty to appear, and today, we learned from MSM reports about recent court filings that Dotson spoke to Mullins on 9/18/24, and complained about Stines "losing it" and/or "unable to take the pressure of the civil suit."

IMO, it seems to me that there might be a difference of opinion between Dotson's thoughts about Stines source of pressure during the week of 9/16/24, and that of Stines defense attorney, Jeremy Bartley.

A prudent read of the civil lawsuit shows no significant burden or pressure on Stines, a named defendant in the civil lawsuit in his capacity as Sheriff of Letcher County, alleged to be liable to Plaintiffs for deliberate indifference in failing to adequately train and supervise Defendant Fields. In fact, Stines was dismissed from the lawsuit as soon as he resigned as Sheriff!

However, when talking to MSM about Stines defense strategy, including extreme emotional distress, up to an insanity defense-- that would remove all criminal responsibility, Bartley alleges that up to or during Stines deposition, "there were threats made to him to sort of keep him in line, to keep them from saying more than these folks wanted him to say.”

Also according to recent MSM reports, on 9/18/24, Stines told LCSO employee Christine Bolling that “Daniel Dotson had told him to give him money and kill himself or ‘they’ were going to kill,” Stines’ wife and daughter.

Per Bartley, the sheriff then insisted that he went home to check on his family, made her [Stines wife] get his bulletproof vest on, and had someone call to check on his daughter, per court documents. This is all reportedly captured on Ring camera footage.

As we all know, on 9/19/24, Stines shot and killed Mullins in his Chambers.

IMO, we will be hearing more about Daniel Dotson in the future. MOO

https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky/court-documents-reveal-why-ex-kentucky-sheriff-called-daughter-before-shooting-judge/

Ex-sheriff’s lawyer says he never made the claim about lies in deposition - The Mountain Eagle

A criminal defense attorney for former sheriff Mickey Stines has filed an affidavit in a civil case that he never said his client lied in a deposition that occurred three days before Stines shot and killed District Judge Kevin R. Mullins. Bethany Baxter, a lawyer for Sabrina Adkins, who is suing...

www.themountaineagle.com

 

[Seattle1]

IMO, personally requesting a camera added to his Chambers was simply self-preservation by Mullins. He already knew the allegation about him "recorded having sex with others" was from VHS tape of another era! MOO

^^rsbm

Courthouse murder case shows why we won’t print social media ‘reports’ without verification - The Mountain Eagle

There’s an old saying in the newspaper business: “If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out.” In other words, don’t trust anyone without seeing proof. To be perfectly clear, we have heard the rumors about the case of the former sheriff killing the district judge. People have told us...

www.themountaineagle.com

ETA: Respectfully, allegations are exactly this. Having read many of the court docs, I agree we should be careful not to treat allegations as fact.

First, there is no evidence that the tape/recording alleged by Plaintiff Adkins exists. The party alleged to share this with Adkins said it was an audio recording, and only an audio file of unknown nature was obtained by AGO's Investigator. It's MOO that Adkins saw a video of Mullins and an unknown female engaged in sexual activity.

Second, Fields admitted to "sexual activity" with Plaintiff Adkins as alleged, but disputed in the civil and criminal complaints that the "sexual activity" ever occurred inside Judge Mullins' Chambers. There was no evidence by the Plaintiff to prove otherwise.

 

[OldAce]

^^rsbm

Courthouse murder case shows why we won’t print social media ‘reports’ without verification - The Mountain Eagle

There’s an old saying in the newspaper business: “If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out.” In other words, don’t trust anyone without seeing proof. To be perfectly clear, we have heard the rumors about the case of the former sheriff killing the district judge. People have told us...

www.themountaineagle.com

ETA: Respectfully, allegations are exactly this. Having read many of the court docs, I agree we should be careful not to treat allegations as fact.

First, there is no evidence that the tape/recording alleged by Plaintiff Adkins exists. The party alleged to share this with Adkins said it was an audio recording, and only an audio file of unknown nature was obtained by AGO's Investigator. It's MOO that Adkins saw a video of Mullins and an unknown female engaged in sexual activity.

Second, Fields admitted to "sexual activity" with Plaintiff Adkins as alleged, but disputed in the civil and criminal complaints that the "sexual activity" ever occurred inside Judge Mullins' Chambers. There was no evidence by the Plaintiff to prove otherwise.

Well, the old self protection urge in everyone shows here I believe. Several of the witnesses, participants (alleged) and others hypothesis have advanced..

Admit or confess to what is obvious/proven/on record, but disclaim further facts.

Some to limit their culpability and some from fear of those involved, yet not named. There is just so much still not revealed/discovered here. My hope is Stines gets live to court and testifies to the whole mess of corruption and names, people, dates, and places.
Regardless of his involvement; at whatever level it may be, there was something done by/being supported by Mullins, to have him just throw life out the window and in his mind, put a stop to that "something."

 

[CSIDreamer]

‘He Saved Many Lives’: Small Kentucky Community Mourns Slain Judge

The fatal shooting of the judge has rocked the town of Whitesburg. On Sunday, friends, family and community members gathered to remember the victim.

www.nytimes.com

According to this, Emory is a cousin to Judge Mullins.

 

[dmac55]

“Several mourners knew both Judge Mullins and Sheriff Stines personally. Among them was Emory Mullins, a 67-year-old distant cousin of the judge’s who owns Letcher Flower Shop, which provided the flowers for the service.”

‘He Saved Many Lives’: Small Kentucky Community Mourns Slain Judge

 

[Born2BWild]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed>

And what is the status of the allegations that Judge Mullins did participate in the taped recordings of sex with inmates?

I always appreciate your precise coverage of this case, thank you!

 

[LadyL]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed>

And what is the status of the allegations that Judge Mullins did participate in the taped recordings of sex with inmates?

I always appreciate your precise coverage of this case, thank you!

[bbm]

see the post above yours

 

[Born2BWild]

[bbm]

see the post above yours

Thank you, LadyL.

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

Here's the defense's Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss.

Shawn Stines | Brief In Support of Motion to Dismiss Indictment | PDF

Shawn Mickey Stines, the defendant, is seeking to dismiss his indictment due to alleged prosecutorial misconduct during grand jury proceedings, claiming that false and misleading testimony was presented that prejudiced his case. The motion argues that Detective Clayton Stamper provided...

www.scribd.com

 

[sunspun]

Per Bartley, the sheriff then insisted that he went home to check on his family, made her [Stines wife] get his bulletproof vest on, and had someone call to check on his daughter, per court documents. This is all reportedly captured on Ring camera footage.

Sounds like Stines' wife didn't even let him come into the house. Do Ring cameras typically record happenings inside the house? I was under the impression that they only recorded things that happened in the area of the front door and sometimes up to across the street, depending on how the camera is positioned. But I would not expect them to record anything inside the house. But I don't have a Ring camera, so I could be wrong...

 

[Ontario Mom]

Sounds like Stines' wife didn't even let him come into the house. Do Ring cameras typically record happenings inside the house? I was under the impression that they only recorded things that happened in the area of the front door and sometimes up to across the street, depending on how the camera is positioned. But I would not expect them to record anything inside the house. But I don't have a Ring camera, so I could be wrong...

Thare are Ring indoor cams, and lots of people use them. My guess would be they have an indoor cam and that's what this is referring to.

 

[sunspun]

Thare are Ring indoor cams, and lots of people use them. My guess would be they have an indoor cam and that's what this is referring to.

Oh, I didn't know they had indoor ones. Thanks.

 

[cocomod]

Here's the defense's Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss.

Shawn Stines | Brief In Support of Motion to Dismiss Indictment | PDF

Shawn Mickey Stines, the defendant, is seeking to dismiss his indictment due to alleged prosecutorial misconduct during grand jury proceedings, claiming that false and misleading testimony was presented that prejudiced his case. The motion argues that Detective Clayton Stamper provided...

www.scribd.com

The Commonwealth and its witness do not disclose that the same records from the day before the shooting, his doctor diagnosed an "acute stress reaction".

Those evaluations included observations of "active psychosis." He had been given Risperadal and Seroquel by the jail prior to the exams, as noted in the medical record.

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.

It does sound like he was a ticking time bomb and his family and doctor knew this and tried to help him. I am not certain he is acting. Psychosis is real and I watched a family member go through it.

My family member didn't come out of it for almost 2 months because the jail didn't give him any meds while he was incarcerated. We took him straight to an institute from the jail; and they put him on the same meds (Risperadal and Seroquel). For one whole month in jail, he didn't know which way was up. The jailers even took pity on him. It wasn't until the meds took affect that he came out of it. At the time, we were told he may never recover, but I am happy to say that he did.