Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declined to label Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” in an interview with Politico published Sunday, instead critiquing the question as a litmus test among Democrats.
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)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“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
Final gargoyle returned to its perch atop rehabbed Kentucky cathedral modeled after Notre Dame
COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The last stone gargoyle has been returned to its perch as part of a two-year restoration of a Kentucky cathedral with a facade modeled after Notre Dame in Paris.
The rehab project at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption was sorely needed to repair deteriorated stone, metal and glass that adorns the limestone exterior. The project included 32 recreated gargoyles along with repairs of deteriorated finials, arches and balustrades.
The 125-year-old church, in Covington just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, offers the experience of a European gothic cathedral in the Midwest, said the Very Rev. Ryan Maher, the cathedral’s rector. The cathedral has an “intimate connection to what is really the most popular and most well-known cathedral outside of Rome itself,” he said.
“I think it’s very special and very unique,” said Maher, who watched from the sidewalk as the last gargoyle was raised to top of the facade on Monday.
The renovation price tag was nearly $8 million, and most came from donations, Maher said.
Brian Walter, CEO of Trisco Systems, the contractor, said the final gargoyle going in was “a symbol of the accomplishment of all our facade work.”
“That’s a big, monumental occasion for not only people here, but for us. That kind of symbolized the last stone we’re putting in,” Walter said.
Restoration plans grew out of Maher’s discovery in 2018 of a large piece of stone that fell from the exterior.
“We realized at that time that we needed to investigate not only the source of that one piece of stone that had fallen, but to take a look at the overall facade of the cathedral,” Maher said.
Workers will continue with smaller tasks around the facade, including the installation of chimeras that sit on the roofline, but the heavy lifting has been completed, Walter said.
“This is kind of a once or twice in a lifetime project,” Walter said.
“That’s becoming one of those new litmus tests that we said we would never do as a party again,” Beshear told Politico’s Dasha Burns after being asked if he agreed with the label. “It’s trying to throw out a word and, ‘Are you going to raise your hand or are you not going to?’”
Beshear is the Democratic governor of a solidly red state and a potential 2028 presidential contender. His remarks come as Democratic candidates increasingly grapple with their stances on Israel amid record-low support for Israel among their base.
While several lawmakers, including Vermont’s Jewish Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, have called Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide,” the label has not gained mainstream support in the Democratic Party. Last October, former Vice President Kamala Harris declined to use the “genocide” label, which Israel had long rejected, but said, “We should all step back and ask this question and be honest about it.”
Some Democrats have embraced the question, with a New York congressional candidate telling the leftist streamer Hasan Piker this week that she is “100%” comfortable with the issue serving as a litmus test in her party.
Others have acted as though the litmus test is already in place. In January, for example, California congressional candidate Scott Wiener announced that he believes Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide after drawing scrutiny for declining to answer the question during a debate.
Beshear critiques Trump, Netanyahu
While Beshear told Burns that Israel “has the right to exist as a democratic country, as a Jewish country,” he added that his feelings about President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conduct during the war in Gaza and ongoing war in Iran were “a different thing.”
“I believe the United States needs a strong Israel, but not one with decisions being made in the way that Netanyahu is making them,” Beshear said.
Beshear also critiqued President Donald Trump’s response to the crisis in Gaza.
“I believe that it could have been done without a lot of the suffering, but I put a lot of that blame also on Donald Trump,” he said. “If he’d said we are coming in and we are bringing food and aid and you are going to make sure that we’re safe, it would’ve happened.”
Last week, a spokesperson for Beshear told Politico that “AIPAC has never contributed to Governor Beshear and they’re never going to – ever,” a response that dovetailed with a host of other potential Democratic presidential candidates, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who are increasingly distancing themselves from the pro-Israel lobby.
“I think that’s up to each and every Democrat,” Beshear answered when asked whether he thought his fellow Democrats should take money from AIPAC.
“In the end, I think people need to be clear about their stance on these issues,” Beshear said. “And for me, it’s one where I believe that we need a future with an ally in Israel. But we need decision makers there that are not acting the way that Netanyahu is, and we need a president that will push when we are seeing humanitarian crises to actually do something about it.”
Colorado5 minutes ago
Did you spot the ‘Doomsday’ and ‘Electronic Attack’ aircraft circling Colorado Springs this week?
Connecticut11 minutes ago
Eversource flying helicopters to inspect electric lines in several Connecticut municipalities
Delaware17 minutes ago
Check out these softball photos from Delaware Online High School Media Day
Florida23 minutes ago
The NFL has no plans to ditch the Rooney Rule despite pressure from Florida AG
Georgia29 minutes ago
Thunderstorms in Starkville weather forecast for Mississippi State baseball vs Georgia series
Florida1 year ago
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Oregon2 years ago
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Connecticut2 years ago
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
Virginia2 years ago
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana2 years ago
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
News5 hours ago
Video: Trump Says U.S. to Leave Iran ‘Very Soon’
Politics6 hours ago
April showdowns: 4 key races to watch this month that will test Trump, GOP grip on power
World7 hours ago
Newsletter: Energy shock has Brussels on edge
News8 hours ago
Suspension lifted for helicopter pilots who hovered near Kid Rock’s home
News17 hours ago
Read the Judge’s Decision on the Trump Administration’s Subpoena Against Penn
-
South-Carolina3 days agoSouth Carolina vs TCU predictions for Elite Eight game in March Madness
-
Miami, FL6 days agoJannik Sinner’s Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic Stuns in Ab-Revealing Post Amid Miami Open
-
New Mexico1 week agoClovis shooting leaves one dead, four injured
-
Culture1 week agoDo You Know the Comics That Inspired These TV Adventures?
-
Minneapolis, MN6 days agoBoy who shielded classmate during school shooting receives Medal of Honor
-
Science1 week agoAs mosquitoes go year-round in L.A., a promising fix hits a snag
-
Tennessee1 week agoTennessee Police Investigating Alleged Assault Involving ‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Trader Joe’s Dip Head-to-Head Taste Test