Episodes

  • The Judge, The Sheriff, and the Chamber of Secrets

    The Judge, The Sheriff, and the Chamber of Secrets
    Mar 26 2025
    The Judge, The Sheriff, and the Chamber of Secrets The former sheriff says he didn’t murder the judge—his mind did. That’s the opening line now being argued in a Kentucky courtroom, where former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines stands accused of shooting and killing District Judge Kevin Mullins inside his chambers. This wasn’t some cold, calculated act, his defense insists—it was a mental break, triggered by fear, stress, and a small-town scandal that just might make your jaw hit the floor. Let’s get one thing straight up front: the entire incident was caught on video. Stines walked into Judge Mullins' office and fired eight shots. That much is undisputed. But what followed is where things get messy—and deeply unsettling. Stines has pleaded not guilty, and now his attorney, Jeremy Bartley, is laying the groundwork for an insanity defense, saying the ex-sheriff suffered from a mental disease or defect, and was also under "extreme emotional disturbance" when he pulled the trigger. Basically, the defense isn’t arguing about what happened—it’s arguing about why. And that “why” has roots in something dark. A few days before the shooting, Stines gave a deposition in a case involving one of his former deputies, Ben Fields. That guy? He’d been accused of coercing female inmates into sex—in exchange for staying out of jail. Think "Orange is the New Black," but way less scripted and way more disturbing. One of the accusers, Sabrina Adkins, claimed that she was forced to have sex with Fields for six months… inside the judge’s chambers. Yeah, the same room where the murder would later take place. According to Bartley, Stines’ deposition forced him to answer some very uncomfortable questions about all of it. And afterward, the sheriff allegedly felt like his entire world was closing in—that his testimony had painted a target on his back. He supposedly feared that the fallout from the deposition would threaten not just his job or reputation, but the lives of his wife and daughter. That’s not just legal strategy fluff, either. When police arrested Stines after the shooting, he reportedly shouted: “They’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid!” Clearly, in his mind, something had gone very, very wrong. It’s worth noting that the judge, Kevin Mullins, wasn’t just some random guy in a robe to Stines. They were close—friends, even. They’d known each other since 2009, when Stines served as Mullins’ courtroom bailiff. Over the years, they became lunch buddies, often grabbing wings at the Streetside Grill & Bar down the street from the courthouse. On the day Mullins died, the two had lunch together—same order, same table, same casual vibe. Then, hours later, Stines entered his office and shot him. Prosecutors say the shooting seemed to come out of nowhere. But now investigators are digging into another possible motive: jealousy or betrayal. It’s been suggested that Stines may have seen his daughter’s phone number in Mullins’ phone, which allegedly sent him into a tailspin. Surveillance footage shows Stines trying to call his daughter from his phone—and then using the judge’s phone, too. What exactly he saw on that screen remains unclear, but the implication is that whatever he discovered set him off. CCTV from the courthouse showed Mullins raising his hands in fear, hiding behind his desk, as Stines raised his gun. The whole thing, horrifying as it is, unfolded in seconds. But it was built on years of what the defense claims was accumulating psychological pressure. Now, Stines’ legal team is leaning hard into the mental health defense. They say they’ll present expert evidence showing that he wasn’t legally responsible for his actions. Bartley says there's even more evidence out there—though he’s keeping it close to the chest for now—that could prove Stines’ state of mind was so fractured, he shouldn't be held criminally liable. Meanwhile, the larger scandal casts a long shadow. The sex-for-favors scheme tied to Deputy Fields and possibly Judge Mullins has not gone away. Accuser Sabrina Adkins didn’t just name Fields—she claimed Mullins had videotapes of “sexual stuff” happening in his chambers. Mullins never responded to the allegations before his death, and the tapes, if they exist, haven’t surfaced publicly. Fields, for what it’s worth, was fired by Stines before being arrested and sentenced to six months behind bars. But that did little to erase the cloud of controversy over the courthouse—and now, it's all tangled up in a murder trial. So here we are: a former sheriff who says he lost his grip on reality, a respected judge dead in his own office, and a community unraveling under the weight of buried secrets. What started as a tight-knit town’s tragic loss has become a psychological crime drama no one saw coming—and no one will forget. #LetcherCounty #KevinMullins #ShawnStines #CourthouseScandal ...
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    12 mins
  • Sheriff Stines Faces Life in Prison Will The Jury Believe His Insanity Plea-WEEK IN REVIEW

    Sheriff Stines Faces Life in Prison Will The Jury Believe His Insanity Plea-WEEK IN REVIEW
    Mar 15 2025
    Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.

    This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of true crime and current events.

    Each episode navigates through multiple stories, illuminating their details with factual reporting, expert commentary, and engaging conversation. Tony and his guests discuss each case's nuances, complexities, and human elements, delivering a multi-dimensional understanding to their audience.

    Whether you are a dedicated follower of true crime, or an everyday listener interested in the stories shaping our world, the "Week in Review" brings you the perfect balance of intrigue, information, and intelligent conversation. Expect thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and thought-provoking discussions beyond the 24-hour news cycle.
    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
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    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
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    14 mins
  • Did Sheriff Stines Kill to Silence Judge Mullins, Or To Stop Him From Harming Others?-WEEK IN REVIEW

    Did Sheriff Stines Kill to Silence Judge Mullins, Or To Stop Him From Harming Others?-WEEK IN REVIEW
    Mar 15 2025
    Welcome to the "Week in Review," where we delve into the true stories behind this week's headlines. Your host, Tony Brueski, joins hands with a rotating roster of guests, sharing their insights and analysis on a collection of intriguing, perplexing, and often chilling stories that made the news.

    This is not your average news recap. With the sharp investigative lens of Tony and his guests, the show uncovers layers beneath the headlines, offering a comprehensive perspective that traditional news can often miss. From high-profile criminal trials to in-depth examinations of ongoing investigations, this podcast takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of true crime and current events.

    Each episode navigates through multiple stories, illuminating their details with factual reporting, expert commentary, and engaging conversation. Tony and his guests discuss each case's nuances, complexities, and human elements, delivering a multi-dimensional understanding to their audience.

    Whether you are a dedicated follower of true crime, or an everyday listener interested in the stories shaping our world, the "Week in Review" brings you the perfect balance of intrigue, information, and intelligent conversation. Expect thoughtful analysis, informed opinions, and thought-provoking discussions beyond the 24-hour news cycle.
    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
    Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
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    10 mins
  • Sheriff Stines Faces Life in Prison Will The Jury Believe His Insanity Plea

    Sheriff Stines Faces Life in Prison Will The Jury Believe His Insanity Plea
    Mar 14 2025
    Did a sheriff just take out a judge to cover his own tracks? That’s the burning question after Sheriff Stines’ shocking execution of Judge Kevin Mullins in broad daylight. But here’s where it gets murky—this wasn’t just an impulsive act of violence. Three days before the shooting, Stines was deposed in a lawsuit that alleged the judge’s chambers were basically functioning as a brothel, coercing incarcerated women into sexual acts with law enforcement.

    Was this an act of rage, a moment of justice, or a desperate move to silence a dangerous truth? And let’s not forget—one of Stines’ own deputies was already implicated in this scandal. So was the sheriff trying to take out a villain or erase evidence that could expose his own involvement? The insanity defense is being tossed around, but is he really insane, or just really, really guilty? And if this was about covering up a conspiracy—who else is tangled up in this web?

    #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #JudgeMurder #PoliceCorruption #Scandal #LegalDrama #WhoIsHidingWhat

    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
    Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
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    14 mins
  • Did Sheriff Stines Kill to Silence Judge Mullins, Or To Stop Him From Harming Others?

    Did Sheriff Stines Kill to Silence Judge Mullins, Or To Stop Him From Harming Others?
    Mar 13 2025
    Did Sheriff Stines Kill to Silence Judge Mullins, Or To Stop Him From Harming Others?
    What happens when a sheriff walks into a courthouse and shoots a sitting judge? A cold-blooded act of revenge or a psychological break under extreme emotional distress? That’s the question swirling around this bizarre and deeply tangled case involving a courthouse sex-for-leniency scandal, a deposition that may have held damning secrets, and a sheriff who turned himself in claiming his family was in danger.

    Now, the defense is pushing for an insanity plea, but does the evidence support it? Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott breaks down what it truly takes for someone to reach a psychological breaking point like this. Was this an unpredictable snap, or was there something much more calculated at play? And just how deep does the corruption run in this courthouse?

    #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #CourthouseScandal #PsychologicalBreak #Corruption #CrimeNews #InsanityDefense

    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
    Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
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    10 mins
  • A Small Town’s Shattered Trust: The Killing of Judge Kevin Mullins

    A Small Town’s Shattered Trust: The Killing of Judge Kevin Mullins
    Mar 13 2025
    Despite a video showing what appears to be a cold-blooded murder, the attorney representing former Sheriff Shawn ‘Mickey’ Stines insists there’s more to the case than meets the eye. On September 19, 2024, in the quiet courthouse of Letcher County, Kentucky, Stines allegedly walked into the chambers of District Judge Kevin Mullins and shot him multiple times. The entire incident was captured on surveillance footage, and the images are as damning as they come—Mullins, caught off guard, scrambling to take cover under his desk while Stines keeps firing. But according to defense attorney Jeremy Bartley, what happened in that office wasn’t just the result of a single moment but years of tension, legal battles, and alleged threats. “It’s extremely complicated,” Bartley told Court TV’s Vinnie Politan, pushing back on the apparent open-and-shut nature of the case. “This isn’t just about what’s seen on the video. There’s a bigger story here.” At the time of his murder, Mullins was a key figure in a lawsuit involving allegations of sexual misconduct against a deputy who worked in the courthouse. The lawsuit accused former deputy Ben Fields of coercing women on house arrest into sexual favors, with at least one incident allegedly taking place inside Mullins’ own chambers. While Stines wasn’t named as a defendant in the suit, he was questioned under oath just days before the shooting. “In the week prior to and the week of the deposition, lots of people noticed that Mickey had become more increasingly paranoid, that he became sleepless, had gone nights without sleep, and there was an overwhelming amount of pressure on him,” Bartley said, painting a picture of a man under immense psychological strain. The deposition, combined with what Bartley described as “a number of people very interested in the outcome,” had allegedly put Stines in a heightened state of distress. Attorney Ned Pillersdorf, who represents the plaintiff in the lawsuit, recalls Stines’ deposition as being out of the ordinary. “It wasn’t your typical deposition of a sheriff in a civil rights case,” Pillersdorf said, describing Stines’ behavior as “odd” but stopping short of speculating on how the lawsuit might connect to the murder. “But having said that, I have no idea why his defense attorney keeps saying that my litigation, the litigation me and my co-counsel are involved in, was somehow a motive in all this. But he keeps saying that.” Stines’ attorney claims his client truly believed his family was in immediate danger at the time of the shooting. “Was the threat as imminent as he perceived it to be? Maybe not,” Bartley admitted. “But there was an objective threat to his family.” That’s a major claim—one that raises as many questions as it answers. If Stines was, in fact, paranoid and sleep-deprived leading up to the shooting, how much of his fear was rooted in reality? What exactly did he think Mullins—or anyone else, for that matter—was planning to do to him? In early March 2025, Bartley filed paperwork indicating that Stines will pursue an insanity defense, arguing that his client was in an extreme emotional state at the time of the shooting. The move isn’t just legal strategy—it’s also practical. “We wanted to get Mickey on the calendar for an evaluation,” Bartley said, explaining that Kentucky’s backlog means psychological evaluations are currently running 12 to 18 months behind. As the case heads to trial, the legal battle will center not on whether Stines pulled the trigger—that part is indisputable—but on why he did it. Was he, as the video suggests, executing a judge in cold blood? Or was he a man consumed by fear and paranoia, reacting to a perceived threat that only he could see? One thing is clear: Letcher County lost a judge, a sheriff, and any lingering sense of normalcy in a single, shocking afternoon. #KentuckyCourthouseShooting #JudgeMullins #ShawnStinesTrial #LegalDrama Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
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    17 mins
  • Could This Sheriff Escape Murder Charges On Judge With an Insanity Defense

    Could This Sheriff Escape Murder Charges On Judge With an Insanity Defense
    Mar 5 2025
    Could This Sheriff Escape Murder Charges On Judge With an Insanity Defense
    In a case that has shaken Kentucky’s legal system to its core, former Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines is standing trial for the brutal murder of Judge Kevin Mullins—right inside the courthouse where they both held power. But this isn’t just another crime story. Beneath the surface lies a tangled web of corruption, scandal, and long-buried secrets that may have led to this shocking execution. Could this murder have been a desperate act to cover up a courthouse sex scandal? Or was it the breaking point of a man unraveling under immense pressure?
    As Stines prepares to argue insanity in his defense, the legal battle ahead is set to be one of the most explosive courtroom showdowns in Kentucky history. The prosecution is pushing for a life sentence—or even the death penalty—while the defense fights to introduce evidence of Mullins’s alleged misconduct. Meanwhile, the entire justice system is under scrutiny, as the case threatens to expose a deeper culture of corruption that may have been ignored for far too long.

    In this gripping episode, we take you inside the crime, the scandal, and the trial that could change everything. With expert insights, shocking details, and the latest developments, we break down how this case could impact not just the accused—but the entire justice system itself. Subscribe now and join us as we uncover what really happened inside the halls of power, where justice was meant to be served—but instead, became the scene of a murder.
    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free:     https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
    Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
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    23 mins
  • Kentucky Ex-Sheriff Faces Murder Charge in Judge’s Killing: Evidence Review Underway

    Kentucky Ex-Sheriff Faces Murder Charge in Judge’s Killing: Evidence Review Underway
    Jan 22 2025
    Kentucky Ex-Sheriff Faces Murder Charge in Judge’s Killing: Evidence Review Underway

    Attorneys prosecuting former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines have reported a “voluminous” amount of evidence in their case, which could take up to six months to thoroughly review. Stines, 44, stands accused of murdering his longtime friend, District Judge Kevin Mullins, in Mullins’ office on September 19, 2024.

    During a virtual court hearing, Stines appeared silent and subdued, wearing a gray jumpsuit, while his attorneys addressed Circuit Court Judge Christopher Cohron. Defense attorney Jeremy Bartley stated that the evidence received from prosecutors is extensive and still under review. Prosecutor Jackie Steele added that additional evidence is being tested, estimating that discovery would be completed within four to six months.

    The indictment against Stines stems from video footage that allegedly captured him shooting Mullins eight times during a heated exchange inside the judge’s office. The chilling video, presented during an October preliminary hearing, shows Mullins raising his hands in fear and attempting to turn away before being shot. Stines surrendered to authorities without incident shortly after the fatal confrontation and resigned as sheriff 11 days later.

    The two men, described as longtime friends, reportedly had lunch together hours before the killing. While investigators have not identified a clear motive, they have suggested that a possible “sex scandal” may have influenced the crime. A grand jury formally indicted Stines on one count of murder of a public official in November 2024.

    Judge Cohron, appointed as a special judge for the case, will oversee the proceedings, including future bond discussions. Bartley indicated during the hearing that the defense plans to request a bond for Stines at a later date.

    If convicted, Stines could face the death penalty for the killing of Mullins, who was 54 at the time of his death. The case continues to unfold as both sides prepare for what is expected to be a lengthy legal process.

    #KentuckyNews #ShawnStines #JudgeMurderCase #LegalUpdates #TrueCrime #JusticeSystem #MurderTrial

    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
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    The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
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    15 mins
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