Kentucky
New video shows Kentucky sheriff pointing gun at judge before alleged fatal shooting
A newly released video shows the moment when a Kentucky sheriff pointed his gun at a judge’s head before allegedly shooting and killing him.
The surveillance footage shows Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines, 43, and District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, in the judge’s chambers having what appeared to be a heated conversation on Sept. 19 before the sheriff pulled out his gun and pointed it at the judge.
Mullins was seen in the video sitting behind his desk when Stines pulled the gun, and Mullins then raised his hands and attempted to turn away just before Stines fired several rounds at him.
Earlier released footage of the shooting was played in court during a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, according to the Courier Journal.
KENTUCKY SHERIFF SEEN IN FOOTAGE SHOOTING AT JUDGE IN SHOCKING PRELIMINARY HEARING
The newly released video shows the moment when a Kentucky sheriff pointed his gun at a judge’s head before allegedly shooting and killing him. (Letcher County Handout)
The video showed Mullins seeking cover under his desk as Stines fired his gun. The sheriff then approached the judge, who was still under his desk, and shot him twice at close range before leaving the chambers, the footage shows.
Kentucky Detective Clayton Stamper testified that the sheriff surrendered immediately after the shooting.
Stines told police, “They’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid,” according to Stamper.
The sheriff and the judge had been friends for decades and had lunch together hours before the alleged killing.
Mullins was seen in the video sitting behind his desk when Stines pulled the gun, and Mullins then raised his hands and attempted to turn away just before Stines fired several rounds at him. (Letcher County Handout)
Stamper said additional surveillance footage from inside the chambers that has not been shown in court or publicly released captured the sheriff using his and Mullins’ phones to make multiple calls to his daughter just before the shooting, according to the Courier Journal.
Police found Stines’ daughter’s phone number saved in the judge’s phone, Stamper said.
Defense attorney Jeremy Bartley declined to reveal a possible motive for the shooting, but authorities reportedly said the incident was being investigated as a possible sex scandal.
KENTUCKY SHERIFF CHARGED WITH FATALLY SHOOTING JUDGE DEPOSED IN RAPE-RELATED CASE DAYS EARLIER
District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was allegedly killed by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. Stines, 43, in his judge’s chambers. (Kentucky Court of Justice; Letcher County Sheriff’s Office)
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“Our investigators seized the two cell phones, and they’re being analyzed,” Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart previously told the Daily Mail.
Stines announced Monday that he was retiring as sheriff.
He pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and is being held at the Leslie County Jail. His case was sent to a grand jury for indictment.
Kentucky
Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard
A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.
Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.
Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.
After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.
Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.
Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”
It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.
An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.
In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.
There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.
Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.
The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.
Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.
Kentucky
Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.
Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.
Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.
“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.
After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.
Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.
“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.
No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.
Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.
“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.
Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.
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Kentucky
3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County
GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.
“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.
According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.
NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.
Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.
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