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

[iamshadow21]

- Quieter than usual
- Withdrawn from community & press
- Sudden weight loss
- Didn't seem himself recently

All of those sound like a severe stress reaction. I do wonder if/when we're ever going to hear his motive?

Stress, yes, but possibly also paranoia or even covert psychosis.

If he was convinced that the judge presented a threat to him, it could speak to motive. If that threat was only a product of his mind, well, that's just incredibly sad.

MOO

 

[tlcya]

Yeah, that pastor made it sound like this was mental illness, like it was some acute thing.

This all presents as stress to me, and it’s weird that the timing seems to coincide with his deposition in that civil case. This, despite that really not appearing to be any concern as far as his involvement was concerned.

So this really comes down to the underlying cause of that stress. The judge can’t tell us what this was about, but his phone and Stines can.

It doesn’t appear that Stines forced the judge to give him his phone at gunpoint or anything, so I continue to believe there was some sort of rational reason for this murder, and not some completely unhinged thinking going on.

I can’t believe we haven’t had any leaks or official information yet, as you’d think he’d have a lawyer who would be trying to get ahead of this.

stress and poor mental health go hand in hand IMO. The recent stressors in the sheriff's life could have led to depression, anxiety, and eventually something more serious. I wonder if he was sleeping properly or if he was having a sleep disturbance in the week or two leading up to the shooting?

I remain convinced the civil suit played a role in this.

 

[bestill]

I am assuming this arraignment hearing will not be available online?

 

[Elley Mae]

18 kilograms in 2 weeks??
Wow!
Is it even possible?

He doesn't look exactly slim in a mugshot.

JMO

My sister was large (5’3” 344 lbs) when went on diet it was hard to tell when she lost the first 35 lbs.

If I lost 35 lbs at 124 I’d look anorexia.

 

[iamshadow21]

It made the news down here in Australia.

The case of a sheriff accused of murdering a judge in his chambers is captivating Americans

A small US town has been rocked after a district court judge was shot and killed in his chambers. A sheriff and long-time colleague has been charged with his murder.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Inthedetails]

It made the news down here in Australia.

The case of a sheriff accused of murdering a judge in his chambers is captivating Americans

A small US town has been rocked after a district court judge was shot and killed in his chambers. A sheriff and long-time colleague has been charged with his murder.

www.abc.net.au

The world loves Good Ol' Boys Are Bad stories.

jmo

 

[iamshadow21]

The world loves Good Ol' Boys Are Bad stories.

jmo

I think the size of the town is a factor, too. At just 1700 people, it's half the size of Delphi, for example. It really is a tiny population that is now a fishbowl under scrutiny.

MOO

 

[fred&edna]

Stines couldn't enter a guilty plea (no trial) on Weds 9/25 even if he wanted to. In KY (47th Judicial District), the Judge will enter a not guilty plea for the defendant in Letcher County District Court, and the felony case next goes to the Circuit Court.

If defendant is in custody, a preliminary hearing is required within 10 days unless waived. If case going before a grand jury for indictment, this would replace the preliminary hearing.

We love prelim hearings for the details we learn but I have no doubt this case will go by the way of a grand jury indictment.

Browse - Kentucky Court Rules

govt.westlaw.com

Thank you!! I only know enough legal "stuff" to cause confusion.

 

[fred&edna]

It seems apparent that, for whatever reason (real or imagined), Stines believed Mullins was (figuratively) stabbing him in the back.

jmo

 

[osu]

DBM

 

[nerosleuth]

It looks like the ball is in the sheriff's court. I found another authority on the governor's inability to remove a county elected official. Remember the county clerk that refused to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples a few years ago?

The wikipedia article about her cites a CNN story where it is stated that the governor has no legal authority to remove her or relieve her of her duties.

https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/04/us/kim-davis-things-to-know/index.html

Kentucky law seems to treat most elected officials in the same way so I would think this restriction on the governor applies to sheriffs as well.

It would seem it would take an act by the General Assembly to impeach him and the grounds would have to be malfeasance, misfeasance, or willful neglect of his duties. There would likely also need to be an impeachment trial in the Senate. I would think he would have the right to defend himself in person which would be a major hassle. It's also not at all clear that what he did would even meet the bar for malfeasance or misfeasance. Misfeasance is civil abuse of power. Malfeasance is a criminal abuse of power. But he can just say he acted as himself when he shot the judge. He is unable to exercise his duties while in custody but that is hardly "willing."

I do think he should resign. But if he chooses NOT to, there seems to be very little anyone can do to force him out.

Oh, and by the way, the legislature is in adjounnment so it would require the governor to call a special session!

https://legislature.ky.gov/Documents/24RS_Calendar.pdf

IMO, Kentucky needs to pass some constituional amendments to deal with the crazy world we live in!

Years ago it used to be that sheriffs in Kentucky were limited to only serving one term in office for four years and couldn't run for reelection.

Now they can serve more than one term in office.

I don't know if anyone has to meet certain legal qualification requirements before they run for election or are appointed to the Sheriffs Office in Kentucky nowadays.

I do know that years ago anyone in Kentucky could be appointed Sheriff by a county judge executive.

I've heard of death in office vacancies from years ago where the county judge executive appointed the spouse of the deceased sheriff to serve out the remainder of the deceased's sheriff's term in office.

My thinking is that the state legislature may have to update their laws as to dealing with qualifications for being a sheriff in Kentucky, situations involving sheriffs that are charged with a violent crime, protocols for removing a sheriff from office and filling those vacancies.

It might be more simpler to have the Kentucky Attorney General rather than the Kentucky Governor or the Kentucky General Assembly deal with the issues of removing sheriffs from office and filling the vacancies with someone that is legally qualified to be a sheriff in Kentucky.

 

[tlcya]

this link has a live stream window but not sure if that means they will be steaming the court appearance at 11 am this morning.

https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/kentucky-sheriff-accused-killing-judge-appear-court/

ETA it is currently 10:47am

 

[nerosleuth]

I'm beginning to think this could even be about county finances. Maybe not even that the sheriff or judge were doing anything wrong but there are so many stories floating around, not rumors, but local news stories about finances being very tight. The sheriff was pushing for liquor sales to generate tax revenue, he posted about fiscal troubles when he took office.

I could imagine a scenario where maybe they were unable to make payroll or pension fund collapsing that could have sent the sheriff into a rage. I have not heard that happening in Letcher county so this is just speculation but it could certainly set someone off!

Another possibility is that it could have something to do with the county-wide alcohol sales issue that is on the ballot.

It could be that the judge was against the county-wide sales of alcohol perhaps due to religious beliefs and also due to the drug epidemic problem in Letcher County.

 

[Dotta]

Another possibility is that it could have something to do with the county-wide alcohol sales issue that is on the ballot.

It could be that the judge was against the county-wide sales of alcohol perhaps due to religious beliefs and also due to the drug epidemic problem in Letcher County.

Yep.
It also caught my attention!
Imagine alcoholism on top of the drugs issues in this region.
Jeez!

JMO

 

[fred&edna]

Another possibility is that it could have something to do with the county-wide alcohol sales issue that is on the ballot.

It could be that the judge was against the county-wide sales of alcohol perhaps due to religious beliefs and also due to the drug epidemic problem in Letcher County.

Possibly.

An aside, while that county desperately needs jobs/revenue... I'm surprised a federal prison proposal is moving forward.

jmo

 

[tlcya]

livestream is up and court has begun

 

[bestill]

Another possibility is that it could have something to do with the county-wide alcohol sales issue that is on the ballot.

It could be that the judge was against the county-wide sales of alcohol perhaps due to religious beliefs and also due to the drug epidemic problem in Letcher County.

This is an excellent point. I would imagine that a county wide alcohol sale vote could motivate a lot of people on both sides of the argument. The revenue for a struggling county could be substantial and also for businesses that serve and sell alcohol. If the county is as small as reported I don't see where there are many increase the revenue opportunities.

 

[tlcya]

Judge Wilhoit has entered and taken the bench, defendant appearing by zoom.

 

[bestill]

Josh Miller public defender for the defendant. State questioning his participation, he hasn't been appointed. Judge questioning.

 

[tlcya]

Stines is flanked by the Public Defender and a jail representative.

State wonders why PD is present because nobody has asked for his presence. Mr. Miller says he believes Stines qualifies for him. State thinks Miller has been out soliciting Stines as a client which is against ethics. The court's job is to appoint a PD not the PD.

Miller says he hasn't solicited anything. Judge questions of Stiens is still sheriff, and MIller says yes. Judge I don't think he qualifies as indigent defendant at this time. Miller says he will make sure Stines files an affidavit of indigency.

Arraignment proceeds. Judge apprising Stines of his rights.