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
Brunswick man charged with electronic child explotation

Brunswick Resident Arrested for Alleged Involvement in Electronic Child Exploitation Case

In a troubling development from Glynn County, Georgia, a 28-year-old man from…
Illinois State University teacher's assistant flips Turning Point USA table, tears down flyers: 'Jesus did it'

Illinois State University TA Sparks Controversy by Dismantling Turning Point USA Display: ‘Inspired by Jesus

An Illinois State University teaching assistant found himself in legal trouble after…

Remembering Sam Rivers: Limp Bizkit Bassist’s Impactful Legacy Lives On at 48

Sam Rivers, the bassist and a founding member of the iconic band…
Teen killed by stray bullet while playing video games inside St. Louis home: 'Horrible nightmare'

Tragic Incident: Teen Fatally Struck by Stray Bullet While Gaming at Home in St. Louis

In a tragic incident, a 14-year-old high school freshman from Missouri lost…
Two IDF soldiers killed amid 'severe' ceasefire violation, 'it's not the last,' analyst says

Ceasefire Shattered: Two IDF Soldiers Killed, Analyst Warns of More to Come

Two soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been killed by…
Former MLB player Jesús Montero dies two weeks after motorcycle crash

Tragic Loss: Ex-MLB Star Jesús Montero Passes Away Following Motorcycle Accident

CARACAS (AP) — Venezuelan Jesús Montero, who once graced the fields with…
Jaguars fans rally at Culhane's despite London loss

Jaguars Fans Unite at Culhane’s After Tough London Match

Jaguars supporters flocked to Culhane’s Irish Pub, hoping for a victory, only…
Orionid Meteor Shower returns | What to know

Spectacular Orionid Meteor Shower 2023: Essential Viewing Tips and Peak Dates Revealed

Prepare to witness nature’s celestial display as the Orionid meteor shower returns…
Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers has died

Limp Bizkit Bassist Sam Rivers Passes Away: A Tribute to the Iconic Musician

Sam Rivers, the original bassist for the iconic band Limp Bizkit, has…
Sam Rivers, bass player for Limp Bizkit, has died at 48, the band says

Limp Bizkit Confirms Passing of Bassist Sam Rivers at Age 48

The world of metal music is mourning the loss of Sam Rivers,…
Louvre museum closed after robbery, French official says

Shocking Heist Forces Louvre Museum Closure: French Authorities Investigate

In an audacious heist, thieves infiltrated the Louvre museum in Paris, making…
Convicted child killer of Etan Patz must be retried by June deadline or walk free from custody: judge

Urgent Retrial Deadline Looms for Convicted Child Killer of Etan Patz: Freedom at Stake

In a significant development, a federal judge has ruled that a man…