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

[girlhasnoname]

We don't know if he met those criteria though.

No we don't, but the Defense is saying he was in a mental health crisis including the day before. I think he was well aware of his actions before and after the shooting, but that is JMO.

 

[LadyL]

No we don't, but the Defense is saying he was in a mental health crisis including the day before. I think he was well aware of his actions before and after the shooting, but that is JMO.

aware but in a psychosis and maybe thought it was necessary? I probably don't understand psychology enough to figure it out but I'm on the fence

 

[Seattle1]

i wonder how much evidence pillersdorf had against others that he didn't go after.in legal filings. or maybe he didn't look for evidence against others.

jmo

The initial civil suit was filed on 1/31/2022 with only Sabrina Adkins named as the plaintiff. In her complaint, Adkins alleged SA was only by former deputy Ben Fields. In addition to Fields, Sheriff Mickey Stines was named as a defendant for failing to supervise Fields. (Mickey Stines has since been removed as defendant, and the party substituted with Billy Jones, Letcher County Sheriff).

The lawsuit was amended by Pillersdorf on 3/16/22 to add Plaintiff Jennifer Hill, who made the same allegations against Fields and Stines. The amended suit also named EKCS, the house arrest contractor, as a defendant.

Unlike a class-action suit, representing only two plaintiffs here, there would be no reason for Pillersdorf to seek evidence against others not alleged to cause injury to his clients, and whom he cannot state a valid claim against.

After the parties failed to reach any agreement during settlement conferences held in 2024/2025, the defendants filed Motions for Summary Judgment, and the Court filed its Opinion and Order on Sept 19, 2025.

The Court accordingly Ordered:

• The Court GRANTS in part and DENIES in part DE_;
• The Claims by Adkins against Fields under § 1983 (Fourteenth Amendment), and assault and battery persist for trial;
• The Claims by Adkins against the Sheriff, officially, under § 1983 (Fourteenth Amendment) and failure to train or supervise persist for trial;
• The Claims by Adkins against EKCS, under § 1983 (Fourteenth Amendment) and for negligence persist for trial;
• The Court DISMISSES Plaintiff Adkins’s remaining claims with prejudice;
• The Court DISMISSES Plaintiff Hill’s claims, in their entirety, with prejudice (i.e., claims are time-barred and not provable); AND
• By no later than October 6, 2025, the Court ORDERS the parties to file a joint status report setting forth the following: a) anticipated length of trial; b) dates of availability for trial in the first half of 2026; and c) whether the parties intend to engage in mediation and, relatedly, whether the parties would have interest in mediation by the Magistrate Judge.

PACER: Login

pacer.login.uscourts.gov

https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky/civil-suit-involving-ex-sheriff-exposes-sexual-exploitation-in-letcher-county-courts/
9/19/25

Pillersdorf said, unfortunately, he doesn’t believe what happened in Letcher County is an isolated incident.

“What I’m hoping to get out of this is just to protect my female clients and other female criminal defendants,” added Pillersdorf. “A lot of them don’t have $400 a month, and sometimes the alternative is they’re coerced into sexual acts, which is, by definition, rape.”

Fields pleaded guilty to third-degree rape, third-degree sodomy, two counts of tampering with a prisoner monitoring device, and second-degree perjury.

 

[OldAce]

Well, it seems we will be getting more information soon on the goings on in the courthouse, courtesy this trial..

https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article312211435.html#campaignName=lexington_morning_newsletter

 

[Seattle1]

Well, it seems we will be getting more information soon on the goings on in the courthouse, courtesy this trial..

https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article312211435.html#campaignName=lexington_morning_newsletter

IMO, now that the Judge ruled on Summary Judgement, and the parties know what claims the Court granted and denied for trial, I think the case for Sabrina Adkins will settle before trial. Settlement conferences in 2023 & 2024 didn't lead to any resolution, but now that they only have one plaintiff, a few claims, I think Letcher County underwriters will push to settle this lawsuit. JMO.