Kentucky courthouse where sheriff allegedly killed judge plagued by sex abuse allegations: lawsuit
Share this @internewscast.com

Defense attorneys’ strategy of using an insanity plea for former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines is unlikely to succeed, according to two former prosecutors.

Stines faces accusations of fatally shooting District Judge Kevin Mullins inside the judge’s chambers at the Letcher County Courthouse on September 19, 2024, with the incident recorded on surveillance footage.

“In most states, like Kentucky, the insanity defense and other mental health defenses seldom prevail because if the accused knew the difference between right and wrong when the crime was committed, then mental health issues are deemed secondary,” explained Phil Holloway, a former prosecutor and legal analyst in Georgia, to Fox News Digital. “Even with a mental health condition, if they understand right from wrong, they can still face conviction.”

Mickey Stines' attorney, Jeremy Bartley, speaks in court

Defense attorney Jeremy Bartley asked questions of KSP Detective Clayton Stamper at Shawn “Mickey” Stines preliminary hearing at Morgan County District Court. Oct. 1, 2024. (Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Bartley declined to comment for this story but previously told Fox News Digital, “I think one of the big things is that my client felt there had been pressure placed on him not to say too much during the deposition, and not to talk about things that happened within the courthouse, particularly in the judge’s chambers.”

Bartley said that threats against Stines’ family caused the paranoia to reach a fever pitch. 

“On the day that this [shooting] happened, my client had attempted multiple times to contact his wife and daughter, and he firmly believed that they were in danger,” Bartley said. “He believed that they were in danger because of what he knew to have happened within the courthouse. And there was pressure, and 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.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
UN warns of millions of AIDS deaths after US funding cuts

UN Alerts of Potential Millions of AIDS Deaths Following US Funding Reductions

The U.S. had committed $4 billion for the worldwide HIV initiative aimed…

Ashley Biden Defends Former President Soon After Doctor Declines Testifying on Cognitive Concerns

ASHLEY Biden has spoken out online for the first time, making a…
Professor Proposes Renaming His School 'George Floyd University'... Then He Really Goes Off the Rails

Professor Suggests Renaming His School ‘George Floyd University’… Then Things Take a Surprising Turn

In this episode of “No, This Isn’t a Satire Piece From the…
Police searching for man who allegedly kidnapped 3-year-old son in east Alabama

Authorities Seek Man Accused of Abducting His 3-Year-Old Son in East Alabama

AUBURN, Ala. (WIAT) — Auburn police announced that they are searching for…
'King of the Hill' Revival': Hank and Peggy return after 15 years to a changed Arlen in season 14 first look - see trailer

“King of the Hill Returns: Hank and Peggy Re-emerge in a Transformed Arlen After 15 Years – Watch the Season 14 Trailer”

Hank and Peggy Hill return to a changed Texas, and a new…
Man busted with anti-government, anti-Trump documents after Texas ICE ambush suspect phone call, feds say

Federal Authorities Claim Texas ICE Ambush Suspect Found with Anti-Government and Anti-Trump Documents

A man accused of tampering with evidence related to the attack on…
NWS faces vacancies in Florida offices as 2025 hurricane season ramps up

NWS Struggles with Florida Office Vacancies as 2025 Hurricane Season Intensifies

Tom Fahy, the Legislative Director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization,…
Flood recovery in San Marco faster with new pump station

Rapid Flood Recovery in San Marco Boosted by New Pump Station

A city spokesperson says many streets flooded in Wednesday’s deluge drained in…
Man in a red safety vest standing in a lumberyard.

First Image Released of ‘Superyacht Slasher’ Accused of Stewardess’s Murder in £9.5m Yacht Engine Room Before Her 21st Birthday

THE man accused of murdering young stewardess Paige Bell aboard a £9.5million…
New Hampshire judge to hear arguments on class action against Trump’s birthright citizenship order

New Hampshire Court to Review Class Action Lawsuit Challenging Trump’s Order on Birthright Citizenship

A federal judge in New Hampshire is set to hear arguments on…
Silver stainless steel water bottle with black lid and handle.

Walmart Urgently Recalls 850,000 Water Bottles After ‘Ejecting’ Incident Leaves Two Blind

An urgent recall has been announced for approximately 850,000 stainless steel water…
Judge blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order in NH

Judge Halts Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Proposal in New Hampshire

The class action lawsuit covers all children who will be affected by…